Injured Penn State Football Player Leaves Columbus – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/27/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 27, 2000
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Adam Taliaferro was transferred early this evening to the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.
Taliaferro, 18, suffered a severe spinal injury in last Saturday’s game at Ohio State and has been hospitalized at the Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus. He underwent successful decompression spinal fusion surgery Monday.
A freshman, Taliaferro remains in serious condition. His hometown is Voorhees, N.J., which is 15 miles from Philadelphia.
Taliaferro was transported to Philadelphia by an ambulance-equipped lear jet, which was staffed with a registered nurse and two paramedics. His father, Andre, accompanied his son on the plane. Adam’s mother, Addie, returned to their New Jersey home from Columbus Tuesday evening.
Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli, Director of Athletic Medicine at Penn State, said that Taliaferro’s lungs had improved overnight, but there were no other changes in his condition. Sebastianelli said Adam likely would remain at Jefferson Hospital for as long as a week and would then be transferred to the Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia.
The 5-10, 183-pound cornerback played in all five games this season. An honorable mention USA Today All-American and 1999 Philadelphia Inquirer Player-of-the-Year, Taliaferro played at Eastern High School.
The Penn State football team will sponsor a Prayer and Support Rally for their injured teammate on Friday, September 29, at noon in front of Old Main. Assistant coach Larry Johnson and several members of the football squad are scheduled to speak and lead prayers for the complete recovery of Taliaferro.
Get well wishes for Adam Taliaferro can be sent to:
Adam Taliaferro
c/o Penn State Football
Lasch Football Building
Hastings Road
University Park, PA 16802
