Tulane safety Devon Walker was seriously hurt Saturday in a head-to-head collision with a teammate during a game with Tulsa.
Tulane's team doctor says Walker fractured his spine in the collision. At a post-game press conference, Dr. Buddy Savoie said Walker is in stable condition at St. Francis Hospital, but will need spinal surgery in the upcoming days.
Tulsa was leading 35-3 and facing a fourth-and-2 with the ball at the 33-yard line when the Golden Hurricane called timeout. Tulane then called timeout.
When play resumed, Tulsa quarterback Cody Green tossed a short pass to Willie Carter, who caught it at about the 28 yard line and turned upfield. He was tackled around the 18-yard line, with defensive tackle Julius Warmsley and Walker sandwiching him and apparently smashing the crowns of their helmets into each other.
Medical personnel from both teams came out about 12:37 p.m. to attend to Walker as he lay on the field. FOX Sports reported Walker stopped breathing as emergency medical workers were removing his jersey and shoulder pads. They administered CPR and fluids before Walker began breathing again.
About 12:52 p.m., he was lifted onto a stretcher and loaded into a waiting ambulance about two minutes later. The ambulance drove off the field about 1 p.m.
FOX Sports reported a hush went over the crowd at H.A. Stadium as Walker was attended to on the field, and that several coaches were in tears. Spectators bowed their heads as someone on the field led the stadium in prayer.
The game resumed at 1:20 p.m.
Walker, from New Orleans, is a senior majoring in cell and molecular biology. His brother, Raynard, told The Associated Press that their mother was watching the game on television when her son was injured.
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