There are 2 shift cables on those alpha out drives, one from the helm to the shift interrupter/positive neutral switch assembly and the second one from the same assembly to the lower unit. if he could hold it in by hand and get back then the shift cable to the lower unit is probably good. The cable from the helm to the positive neutral/shift interrupter assembly usually wear out where they make a bend going to the engine compartment. Usually a wire breaks and then eventually wears thru the cable cover and sticks out of the cover and will not let the cable move into the forward position. In other words it will move in one direction just fine but will not go the other direction once the shifter is in the neutral position.