SBNation.com - Tulane Safety Devon Walker Undergoes First Surgery, Now Recovering

Tulane provides update on injured safety Devon Walker

2012-10-17T18:40:30Z

Tulane safety Devon Walker, who was seriously injured in the Green Wave's game at Tulsa on Sept. 8, has been moved to an in-patient rehabilitation center to continue recovery efforts from a spinal injury. Both the Walker family Devon himself have issued updates on Devon's condition:

Thank you everyone for your prayers and well-wishes. This has been so hard on my family and friends. I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am for your generosity and support. I especially want to thank everyone who sent cards and letters. I read each and every one. They give me the inspiration to keep on pushing. Your words of encouragement are helping me so much. Thank you also to those who organize, attend and contribute in countless ways to the many fundraisers being held in my honor. I am truly blessed. Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. -- Love You All, Devon Walker #18

Walker suffered a blow to the head on a collision with teammate Julius Warmsley just before halftime against Tulsa and suffered a cervical spine fracture. He underwent surgery immediately at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, where he was held for several days following. While it was rumored that Walker suffered a collapsed lung and had a tracheotomy performed on the field, both are false, according to a Times-Picayune report.

Walker and his family have moved to a new location as of Sept. 18, but asked in the statement that the specific center not be disclosed due to privacy concerns. Walker is a New Orleans native who played Destrehan High School, just miles from Tulane.

Tulane, Ole Miss Both Paying Tribute To Devon Walker

2012-09-22T18:01:39Z

Ole Miss has done a nice job of showing respect for their regional neighbors in Tulane, sporting DW helmet decals in honor of seriously injured Green Wave player Devon Walker. The recovering safety is getting plenty of love in this game, including Tulane players all wearing his number on their helmets, teammate Alex Lauricella running his jersey out before the kick and a pregame T-shirt sale with proceeds going to his recovery fund.

Love that the Wave coaching staff is wearingDevon Walker tees, btw. Awesome gesture from Ole Miss to have a DW helmet sticker, too.
— David Helman(@HelmanESPN) September 22, 2012

Chris Graythen/Getty Images Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

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Ole Miss Will Support Devon Walker With Decals

2012-09-19T21:52:11Z

Tulane Green Wave defensive back Devon Walker suffered a serious spinal injury in a game against Tulsa on Sep. 8. Walker has received plenty of support as he begins his rehabilitation. The latest well-wishers are the Mississippi Rebels, who will sport "DW" helmet decals in support of Walker in their game against Tulane.

You can see the decals after the jump.

Ole Miss Athletics Director Ross Bjork tweeted this picture of the decals on Wednesday.

A strong showing of support and solidarity from Ole Miss, and a classy move, to be sure.

For all news and information regarding the Mississippi Rebels, please visit Red Cup Rebellion. For more on Devon Walker and the rest of NCAA football, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated college football hub.

Devon Walker's Family: Medical Care Has Been 'Outstanding'

2012-09-11T14:24:21Z

The family of injured Tulane safety Devon Walker released a statement in thanks of supporters following Walker's brutal injury against Tulsa on Saturday. As the result of a collision with his own teammate, Walker suffered a broken neck and collapsed lung. Walker underwent surgery on Sunday to stabilize his spine, and is currently "awake and recovering."

Tulane Athletics Director Rick Dickson read the statement on the family's behalf:

"We have been overwhelmed by the amount of concerned well wishes we have received from all over the world. Although we cannot respond individually to all, we thank everyone for the love and support shown to Devon and our family. The medical care that our son has received so far has been outstanding. We are also very grateful for the care and concern shown to us by those here at Tulsa University, in the City of Tulsa, at Tulane University and of course by everyone at home in New Orleans.

"We appreciate you respecting our family's request for privacy. We do ask that you continue to keep Devon in your prayers."

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Devon Walker Injury: Tulane Safety Has Surgery To Stabilize Spine

2012-09-10T02:03:44Z

Injured Tulane safety Devon Walker underwent his first of several surgeries on Sunday, little more than 24 hours after his devastating injury on the field during Saturday's Tulane-Tulsa game in Tulsa, Okla. The surgery on Sunday was to stabilize his spine:

Tulane statement says Devon Walker had 3-hour surgery today to stabilize his spine. Said it will be days before condition can be assessed
— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) September 10, 2012

Doctors have stated that because of swelling in the area it will be difficult to assess the long-term effects of the injury:

Indeed, the swelling can impair neurological function and make it difficult to tell immediately how much is truly lost and how much may return as a patient stabilizes and the swelling decreases.

Eric LeGrand, a Rutgers player who suffered similar injury two years ago but has since recovered significantly, has stated that he plans to reach out to Walker and his family.

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Devon Walker Injury: No Collapsed Lung Or Tracheotomy Performed

2012-09-09T15:54:37Z

Tulane safety Devon Walker suffered a frightening neck injury during Saturday's game between the Green Wave and the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. In spite of initial reports to the contrary, however, he did not suffer a collapsed long or have a tracheotomy performed on the field as medical personnel tended to him, per Tulane team doctors.

"He did not drop a lung," said Green Wave team doctor Greg Stewart. He added that the doctors and paramedics on hand did perform CPR on Walker while he was on the field.

"When we first got out there and were dealing with him, we didn't have any equipment so it's all about what you can feel through sweat and gloves and all that kind of stuff. So, yes we did [perform CPR] because we figured we would rather err on the side on doing compressions when we didn't need to as opposed to not doing them and wishing we had."

As to the reports of possible paralysis from Walker's injuries, Stewart said that the possibility of such remains unknown.

"The reality is you don't know for 24 to 48 hours."

Walker was taken to Tulsa's St. Francis Hospital where he was diagnosed with a fractured cervical vertebra and swelling of the spinal cord. Per a statement released by the Tulane athletic department, Walker is set to have surgery in the "next one to two days."

Whether or not Walker will be able to return to full health is not yet known.

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Devon Walker Injury: Tulane Safety Fractures Cervical Spine, To Have Surgery

2012-09-08T20:38:29Z

Tulane safety Devon Walker has a cervical spine fracture and will undergo surgery in the next two days, says Tulane team doctor Buddy Savoie (via KTUL Tulsa's John Moss.)

Walker suffered the injury just before halftime of Tulane's game against Tulsa. After a massive collision with a teammate he was breathing but unresponsive on the field, and CPR and an emergency tracheotomy were performed. An ambulance was brought on to the field, and Walker was responsive by the time he was taken to the hospital. In addition to the cervical fracture, Walker suffered a collapsed lung.

Walker sustained the injury while trying to make a tackle, where both he and a teammate missed, and he collided head-to-head with a defensive tackle nearly 100 pounds heavier. A GIF of the injury can be found here.

Walker is a senior who has collected 47 tackles, four pass break-ups, and a forced fumble in 31 games at Tulane.

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Devon Walker Suffered Broken Neck, Collapsed Lung, According To Report

2012-09-08T19:31:19Z

Tulane safety Devon Walker suffered a broken neck and a collapsed lung after a horrifying collision with a teammate on the final play of the first half of the Green Wave's game against Tulsa on Saturday, according to John Moss of KTUL-TV in Tulsa, OK. The collision brought an ambulance onto the field of H.A. Chapman Stadium as Walker needed immediate medical attention.

The senior from New Orleans, La. stopped breathing while on the field and had to receive CPR to be revived. An emergency tracheotomy was also performed by medical personnel. In a positive sign, Walker was breathing and responsive by the time he was taken into the ambulance, but faces a long road to recovery ahead.

Walker has amassed 47 tackles, four pass break-ups, and a forced fumble in 31 games at Tulane.

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