Update on the Condition of Penn State Cornerback Adam Taliaferro – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/25/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 25, 2000
Penn State freshman cornerback Adam Taliaferro underwent successful decompression spinal fusion surgery this morning at the Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus. The surgery was performed by Dr. Gary Rea of the Medical Center staff.
Taliaferro was injured in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s Penn State at Ohio State football game. He is being treated for a cervical spine injury and remains in serious condition in the Intensive Care Unit.
Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli, Penn State’s Director of Athletic Medicine, spoke to Dr. Rea following the surgery. Metal internal fixation and bone graft was inserted to stabilize the spine in the mid-lower neck area. Dr. Rea indicated that Taliaferro’s spinal cord was bruised, but not cut, and that he continues to have complete feeling throughout his body. According to Sebastianelli, Adam is able to move his arms, shoulders and wrists, but has not been able to move his fingers and legs since he was injured.
Taliaferro, 18, is expected to remain at the Ohio State University Medical Center for 2-3 more days and then be transferred to a spinal rehabilitation center in the Philadelphia area, closer to his Voorhees, N.J. home. His parents, Andre and Addie, are in Columbus.
Taliaferro was injured while tackling Ohio State tailback Jerry Westbrooks with 1:39 to play in Saturday’s game. Westbrooks’ knee appeared to hit Taliaferro’s head. Taliaferro was taken off the field on a stretcher and transported to the Medical Center.
The 5-10, 183-pound Taliaferro has played in all five games this season, making three tackles, including two against Ohio State. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s 1999 Player of the Year and an honorable mention USA Today All-American, he graduated from Eastern High School, where he also was a standout on the basketball and track and field teams.
Statement from Taliaferro family:
“On behalf of Adam, his mother, his brother (Alex) and our entire family, I would like to express our sincere appreciation for the out-pouring of support from Coach Paterno, his staff, the players and the entire Penn State family during this time of crisis for our family. I also want to thank everyone at Ohio State, from Coach Cooper and his staff to everyone at the Ohio State Medical Center for everything they have done. This has been a trying time for our family but we feel that Adam is on the road to recovery.”
– Andre Taliaferro, father of Adam Taliaferro
