University of Memphis linebacker Karmelo Overton was rushed to the hospital Friday night after a collision in a game against Rice, according to head coach Ryan Silverfield.
Overton was taken to Memphis Regional One Medical Center Friday night after collapsing on the field during the game.
Fortunately, Overton was released from the hospital over the weekend and returned to the team facility on Sunday; Silverfield described him as being in “good spirits.”
“It was great to see him here,” Silverfield said. via Memphis Trade Appeal. ‘I was able to spend some time with him, he had a smile on his face and a good mood.
“We will continue to think about him and hope for a great recovery.”
Memphis player Karmelo Overton has been released from the hospital with a spinal injury
The injury occurred on a kickoff when Overton was hit by two Rice players, sending him to the turf.
After getting up and starting to run toward the Memphis bench, his legs gave out and he was lying on the field for an extended period of time.
Members of the coaching staff surrounded him, as did his teammates, during the timeout.
Eventually, Overton was stretchered off the field. Silverfield says Overton was able to communicate and talk after the game.
The coach says that the player suffered some type of spinal injury, but that he was ‘out for a walk (on Sunday), which is huge.’ Every time something like that happens, it’s very, very scary, especially like that.
A fellow linebacker, Chandler Martin, said after Friday’s game, “Karmelo is my guy.” It’s just hard to see one of our brothers fall like this. I just told him to stay strong. He was moving his hands and fingers. He’s fine. But it was hard to see one of my guys go down like that. Karmelo and I basically do everything together, that’s my brother.’
Overton is a redshirt freshman for Alabama and has made one tackle this season.
Memphis will next host the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) on Saturday night.
