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
