"Our doctors are still evaluating Anthony Conner's medical condition this morning (Saturday) and he is still undergoing additional tests. Our medical staff is updating me as they get new information on Anthony's condition. As we said yesterday, there is no paralysis and Anthony has feeling throughout his extremities. We appreciate all the thoughts and prayers for Anthony and his family during this difficult time. I would also like to thank the Rutgers football team and head coach Greg Schiano for their display of class and compassion for Anthony during the game last night. The Rutgers football family went through something very similar almost a year ago and they know the severity of the situation."
As Strong alluded, Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand became paralyzed from the neck down last year after making a tackle in a game against Army. LeGrand, still rehabilitating in hopes of walking again, is now pursuing a career in broadcasting.
Louisville cornerback Anthony Conner was carted off the field on Friday night after a scary hit in which his head and Rutgers wide receiver Mohamed Sanu's knee collided during a tackle. Sanu was sent head-over-heels, but Conner laid motionless on the turf following the hit, with trainers rushing to attend to him. And though Conner moved his arms and gave the thumbs up as he was leaving the field, we later learned he had broken his neck.
There is good news in this all: Conner was not paralyzed by the hit, which is some sort of small consolation. However, nobody on the team is taking it well, head coach Charlie Strong said after the game.
"It’s just so tough anytime you lose a player," said Strong, who kept tapping the side of the podium as he spoke. "It’s what happens in this game, but you just never think it’ll happen to one of your own. For that to happen, it is, it’s sad. I think our players, I told them right after the game. I ended up telling them about it, and some of them didn’t take it very well. The whole team didn’t take it very well."
It's just never, ever good to see a young man sustain a serious injury on the field of play. Thoughts go out to Conner as he recovers from his injuries.
Louisville cornerback Anthony Conner left Friday night's matchup with Rutgers after a big collision with Mohamed Sanu. Conner stayed down following the hit, and laid on the field for about 15 minutes as trainers attended to him. Conner was eventually taken off the field on a card and transported to a local hospital.
The scene at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium after the hit was scary, with both teams gatheringin silence on one knee.