USC RB Johnson In Stable Condition After Catastrophe

Sports Betting News - September 29th, 2009 - Written by John

Southern Cal will be without their leading scorer for the remainder of the season, officials said yesterday. Stafon Johnson was the victim of a bizarre accident when a weightlifting bar slipped out of his hand and fell on his neck. The junior suffered a crushed neck and larynx, Rivals is reporting. He was immediately rushed to the hospital and underwent seven hours of surgery.

“It hit him with a lot of force, and it hurt him,” coach Pete Carroll said. “No broken bones as far as I understand, but he’s got some damage in there somewhere, and they’re working it out, trying to figure out what it is.”

He is in stable condition right now, far better than the possible diagnosis last night. There were reports that Johnson was spitting up blood through his nose and mouth and choking after spotters pulled the bar away. There were also rumors that Johnson may lose his voice, although now that seems unlikely.

Johnson led the Trojans with five touchdowns this season, including the go-ahead run against Ohio State. He's only carried the ball 32 times in four games but is second on the team with 157 yards. He was part of a dangerous backfield with starter Joe McKnight that ranks seventh in the country in yards per rush and 14th in total rushing.

He led the team last year with both 705 yards and nine touchdowns.

The team said he did have a spotter who was standing over him, but the incident happened to quickly to prevent.

“I’ve seen players have the bar slip and fall onto their chest, but never in my 25 years of coaching have I heard of someone dropping a bar on their throat,” said strength and conditioning coach Chris Carlisle, who saw it happen. “We’re fortunate he was being spotted.

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