DISLOCATED KNEE DIAGNOSIS CONFIRMED, BUT SPURRIER OPTIMISTIC SUPERSTAR TAILBACK WILL PLAY AGAIN
University of South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier confirmed on Sunday that star running back Marcus Lattimore suffered a dislocated knee during the second quarter of the Gamecocks’ win over Tennessee this weekend – confirming the diagnosis originally reported here on FITS.
And while the superstar tailback – who broke the school’s career touchdown record earlier this year – is indeed out for the season, Spurrier told the Associated Press that there was a chance Lattimore could take a medical redshirt for the 2013 season and return to the Gamecocks in 2014.
“We’re optimistic his football days are still ahead of him,” Spurrier told the AP. “There is a history of guys coming back from this.”
Spurrier’s comments would seem to indicate that Lattimore did not suffer the sort of arterial damage that was possible – if not expected – as a result of the gruesome knee injury he suffered against the Volunteers. In fact just last year high school quarterback Jacob Rainey had to have his leg amputated as a result of arterial damage caused by a similar injury.
Details are still sketchy at this point, but Spurrier’s comments represent a 180-degree departure from his somber statements on Saturday about how he knew Lattimore would be a success – although “I don’t know (in) what field of life.”
While being tackled from behind by Tennessee linebacker Herman Lathers on a second down running play, the Gamecock superstar and preseason All-American was hit low by Volunteers’ defensive back Eric Gordon causing his right knee to contort – badly.
In fact former Gamecock linebacker Anton Gunn described it as “the worst injury I have ever seen.”
Gordon – who some Gamecock fans accused of a dirty hit – took to Twitter to defend himself.
“Its unfortunate that boy got hurt …but I was just ballin!” he tweeted. “I clapped for em and ehthing (sic) when he got up chill out.”
Lattimore has bounced back from one season-ending injury already in his career – torn ligaments in his knee suffered last October in a game against Mississippi State. In 28 career games at USC, the 6-foot-1, 218-pound Duncan, S.C. native has rushed for 2,677 yards and amassed another 767 yards through the air. He’s also scored a school-record 41 touchdowns.
Supporters wishing to send a letter of encouragement to Lattimore are encouraged to send it to Marcus Lattimore, c/o USC Athletic Department, Rice Athletic Center, 1304 Heyward Street, Columbia S.C. 29208.
UPDATE: The University of South Carolina sports information office has provided an official update on Lattimore’s injury. According to the school, he suffered a “hyperextension of the knee (which) resulted in injury to several ligaments.”
“There were no fractures or additional injuries,” team physician Dr. Jeffrey Guy stated.
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Pic: Travis Bell, Sideline Carolina
15 comments
FITS Claims: “confirming the diagnosis originally reported here on FITS.
FITS’ Diagnosis: “a gruesome injury to his right knee… which immediately invoked comparisons to the career-ending leg injury sustained by former Washington Redskins’ quarterback Joe Theismann…Initial unconfirmed reports from sources close to the USC football program indicate that Lattimore suffered a dislocated right knee with possible arterial damage. Obviously any injury to a player’s circulatory system is cause for serious alarm”….
But all Spurrier said is: “Marcus Lattimore suffered a dislocated knee”….
Nothing about “arterial damage” or “Career-Ending” as FITS is claiming…
FITS (dishonestly) taking credit prematurely it seems…
get over it Big Turd Fits as usual knew what was happening before anybody. Work on your reading comprehension maybe your Mother can tutor.
I agree…. start with:
“A is for apple”, “B is for BOZO”!
The tackle was not a cheap shot. Just one of those football things. I don’t know if Lattimore can come back from it. But, he and his family need to talk about SHOULD he try to come back from it.
Terrible injury to a terrific young man. All the best to him.
I agree with a poster above – that tackle was in no way cheap , excessive , illegal or otherwise mean spirited.
Bad fans like to perpetuate nasty little conspiracies like that, it is total bullshit. Like Lattimore told his team, you do every play as if it is your last. You never know what can happen. That is the nature of the sport.
Eric Gordon: UT English major.
Interesting ad above the header…. “HEAL YOUR KNEE”
Wow, clapped for that boy and ehthing did you? May you learn one day to carry yourself with one shred of the dignity that Marcus does.
Quote: In fact former Gamecock linebacker Anton Gunn described it as “the worst injury I have ever seen.”
Hmmm. Tragic for Marcus, but Gunn’s statement is melodramatic.
I was playing kickball on the playground at A.C. Moore Elementary, back in the day, and after a pileup one of the students had his arm completely bent in a gruesome u-shape with the broken bone actually sticking out of the skin.
If Anton had have seen this he probably would have fainted. Just saying…
ehthing??????huh
I remember Anton as an O-Lineman, but my memory could be fading.
Good Game!
Get well soon, Marcus.
Try to play on surfaces that square measure sensible for
your knees. Softer and spongy surfaces square measure far better for your
knees. this is not doable for all sports, however it’s one thing to stay in
mind. you’ll be able to invariably train on softer surfaces.
Try to play on surfaces that square measure sensible for
your knees. Softer and spongy surfaces square measure far better for your
knees. this is not doable for all sports, however it’s one thing to stay in
mind. you’ll be able to invariably train on softer surfaces.