Post by The Grim Reaper on Apr 2, 2008 8:11:35 GMT -5
Phantoms’ Groover expected to be OK
When Florence Phantoms’ defensive end/linebacker Cory Groover lay on the field turf of the Florence Civic Center during the third quarter of Saturday’s win over Canton, many fans feared the worst. Some suspected a broken neck. Many might have figured his football career was over. But the news on the former Hannah-Pamplico and Clemson star wasn’t nearly that bad. Groover was released from a local hospital late Saturday night with what was diagnosed as a strained neck.
“We expect a full recovery,” Phantoms general manager Bennie King said. “We’re probably going to sit him a couple of games. “But hopefully, he’ll be ready for our next home game against Huntington (on April 25).” Groover was injured when he collided with Florence linebacker and former USC player Cody Lucas while trying to make a tackle at the 3:09 mark of the quarter. Groover was on the turf for several minutes but had full movement in all of his extremities as he was wheeled out of the Civic Center. “Obviously when a player is on the ground for that long, everyone starts to worry,” King said. “But that was a precautionary measure by the trainers and doctors.”
Groover’s injury was just another reminder of how brutal football is. Defensive back Javon Camon died while making a similar tackle for the Daytona Beach Thunder on Feb. 27 last year.
“Sometimes you take it for granted with all of the equipment we have,” King said. “But this is a violent, vicious and unforgiving game.”
When Florence Phantoms’ defensive end/linebacker Cory Groover lay on the field turf of the Florence Civic Center during the third quarter of Saturday’s win over Canton, many fans feared the worst. Some suspected a broken neck. Many might have figured his football career was over. But the news on the former Hannah-Pamplico and Clemson star wasn’t nearly that bad. Groover was released from a local hospital late Saturday night with what was diagnosed as a strained neck.
“We expect a full recovery,” Phantoms general manager Bennie King said. “We’re probably going to sit him a couple of games. “But hopefully, he’ll be ready for our next home game against Huntington (on April 25).” Groover was injured when he collided with Florence linebacker and former USC player Cody Lucas while trying to make a tackle at the 3:09 mark of the quarter. Groover was on the turf for several minutes but had full movement in all of his extremities as he was wheeled out of the Civic Center. “Obviously when a player is on the ground for that long, everyone starts to worry,” King said. “But that was a precautionary measure by the trainers and doctors.”
Groover’s injury was just another reminder of how brutal football is. Defensive back Javon Camon died while making a similar tackle for the Daytona Beach Thunder on Feb. 27 last year.
“Sometimes you take it for granted with all of the equipment we have,” King said. “But this is a violent, vicious and unforgiving game.”