Hello- my name is Ashley Sevier, and I am Jim and Becky Abbott’s niece. With their permission, I have created this page to assist with some of the financial stress they may experience in the coming months.

For those that are not aware, Jim suffered a life altering accident on August 14, 2026. Just as he has for over 30 years, he was officiating a high school football scrimmage in Cincinnati, only this time he was brought down during a play with what appeared to be a severely dislocated knee. He was taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center in Clifton where imaging showed extensive damage to his right knee that included the artificial hardware he had placed years ago, and the severing of the main artery that supplies blood to the lower leg. They immediately took him to surgery in attempt to stabilize the knee and control bleeding. Jim began to have complications intra-operatively, including significant blood loss, that forced the surgeons to make a decision to halt surgery until he was more stable. He was placed in the Surgical ICU until later Saturday morning. Due to the combination of lack of blood flow to the muscles, and the inability to repair the veins in his leg, both surgical teams deemed it in Jim’s best interest to return to the O.R. for an above-the-knee amputation. They took Jim to surgery late Saturday morning where they successfully performed the operation. Following his stay in the hospital, he will need to complete weeks of inpatient physical therapy before returning home. The goal is for Jim to eventually be fitted for a prosthetic, followed by another round of rehabilitation.

Those of you that know Jim know how much of an active individual he is whether it be on a field or court officiating a sporting event, going to a Buckeyes games, grabbing a Shiner Bock (or 5) with his OU Hockey alum, or spending time with Becky and his dogs Mayhem and Havoc on our family’s property in Adams County. For the foreseeable future there will be some required lifestyle changes for both of them, but we all remain optimistic that with time (and some badass medical technology) Jim will be able to return to doing all the things he loves to do.

That’s where you come in…

Over the coming weeks and months, Jim will be unable to work, and Becky will be taking time off from work as well to be there to support Jim. This will take a large toll on them mentally, physically, emotionally, but also financially. There will most certainly be expenses that arise that we cannot yet anticipate. I have created this page in hopes of raising funds to support them when they will need it most. There, by no means, is an obligation to contribute. If you are unable to donate financially, I encourage you to visit your local blood donation center and find out if you qualify for donation. Jim has received multiple blood transfusions that undoubtedly helped save his life. I also ask that if you know of someone or others that would appreciate receiving this page, that you please pass it along.

Lastly, I kindly request you please keep both Jim AND Becky (as well as our entire family) in your thoughts and prayers as they learn to navigate this very unexpected journey, and remind them that they aren’t going through it alone.

I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to provide your support, in whatever capacity it may be.

#ittakesavillage

-Ashley Sevier (on behalf of Jim and Becky Abbott)