Cal's Best Released From Hospital

Sports News - November 9th, 2009 - Written by John

University of Cal running back Jahvid Best is out of the hospital and back home after suffering a concussion in last Saturday's game against Oregon State.

The superstar back, and one-time Heisman hopeful, was injured during a horrific fall when he leaped into the end zone and was pushed even higher by a Beavers defender, twisting and landing hard at the top of his back. Best immediately froze upon inpact, losing his helmet, which showed his lucid expression, while clenching his fists.

He was unconcious as he was carted off the field into an ambulance, but soon regained feeling in his limbs and avoided possible paralyzation.

"We are relieved and thankful that Jahvid has been released from the hospital and that his CT scans and X-rays have come back normal," coach Jeff Tedford said.

The play, that was both spectacular and sickening, came in the second quarter after he took a snap in the wildcat formation as the crowd yelled "Jahvid! Jahvid! Jahvid!". He took the snap at Oregon State's seven-yard line and dashed to his left, finding the end zone and jumping over one defender. Beavers' safety Cameron College went shoulder first into his legs, flipping him as he broke the plane.

The stadium immediately went silent and the entire Cal team took a knee on the field, about 10 yards away.

"I was scared for him," Cal's Syd'Quan Thompson told ESPN after the game. "He fell so awkwardly and he just laid there. I said a prayer for him and his family."

Best had already suffered a minor blow to the head last week against Arizona State that left him dizzied. Because of his prior prognonsis and this one, Cal said it will leave him out of next week's game and perhaps the following one as well.

Best has 867 yards on the ground this year and is tied for 12th in the NCAA with 12 touchdowns. He will be replaced by Shane Vereen, a sophomore with eight touchdowns and 386 yards on the year.

The Bears are already bowl eligible and, with the conference title a mere afterthought, will simply be playing for a better postseason match-up. ESPN.com currently has them projected to play either BYU or Utah in the Poinsettia Bowl on December 23rd.

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