Abercrombie Christion, of the State of Tennessee, in critical condition after an emergency operation for head injury

Tennessee State linebacker Christion Abercrombie is in critical condition after undergoing emergency surgery for a head injury during a match against Vanderbilt on Saturday.

(Tennessee State University Tigers)

Second-timer Christion Abercrombie of the Tennessee State is in critical condition in a Nashville hospital Sunday after she collapsed on the sidelines during a match against Vanderbilt and undergoes an emergency surgery for an injury to the head, announced officials.

State University of Tennessee said on Twitter Abercrombie, 20, was taken to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center and remains "under surveillance".

The Tigers head coach, Rod Reed, told The Tennessean that he did not know when Abercrombie was injured late in the first period. The newspaper reported that the 20-year-old was injured in the head.

"It was just before the half," Reed told the newspaper. "He came to the sideline and just a little collapse there."

The victim, aged 20, then received oxygen before being taken on a stretcher. Abercrombie played until the end of the second quarter, but did not return to play after half-time, FOX17 said.

Abercrombie graduated from high school in 2016, he hails from Atlanta and played for Illinois last year, making 11 tackles in 11 games, according to TSU Tigers football training.

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Abercrombie had entered Saturday's game as the Tigers' second tackle and had been credited with five tackles and a quarter hurry before being injured. The Tigers then lost 31-27 against Vanderbilt.

At the end of the match, players from both teams gathered in the middle of the field to join Derek Mason, Reed and Vanderbilt coach, for a prayer for Abercrombie, his family and the Tigers.

"Football is what we do, not who we are," said Mason. "I know what it's like to be a coach.I know what it's like to have a player hurt.In the end, when serious injuries occur, football becomes secondary."

The injury of Abercrombie has sparked the reaction of many social media.

"Our thoughts are with the Abercrombie family, their friends and the entire community of the state of Tennessee in this difficult time," said Vanderbilt Football.

"A child playing for the Tenn State was injured in the head at Vanderbilt today, he underwent brain surgery, I prayed for his healing, I would love you to be with me." ", singer, songwriter, legendary American guitarist and violinist Charlie Daniels said on Twitter.

Associated Press contributed to this report.