Update: USC RB Stafon Johnson Expected To Make ‘Full Recovery’

UPDATE: Official USC football site USC RIPS IT reports Stafon Johnson is currently in emergency surgery after suffering a neck injury in a weightlifting accident this morning. When Johnson was injured, he did have a spotter when a bar slipped out of his hand “at an angle.”

ESPN 710’s Mason & Ireland report Johnson was bench-pressing 275 pounds at the time. Fox Sports Radio’s Petros Papadakis called the injury “career-threatening.”

More from USC RIPS IT:

Johnson, a senior from Compton, was bench-pressing with a spotter in Heritage Hall’s weight room when the bar slipped out of his right hand and fell at an angle onto his throat. USC’s athletic trainers and emergency personnel rushed to the scene, and Johnson was taken to a local hospital, where he’s currently undergoing surgery on his throat.

Head strength and conditioning coach Chris Carlisle, who was within 10 feet of the incident, said he was shocked something like this could happen.

“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,” Carlisle said. “We’re fortunate he was being spotted.”

USC RB Stafon Johnson suffers crushed larynx in weightlifting accident

LOS ANGELES — Southern California tailback Stafon Johnson is unlikely to play again this season after a falling weight bar crushed his neck and larynx.

The senior who scored the No. 7 Trojans’ go-ahead touchdown against Ohio State two weeks ago was bench-pressing when the bar slipped from his right hand and fell onto his throat.

Johnson was in critical but stable condition late Monday night after more than seven hours of surgery, said Katreena Salgado, a spokeswoman for California Hospital Medical Center.

He was treated for crushing injuries to his neck as well as severe injuries to his larynx, said the hospital’s trauma medical director, Dr. Gudata Hinika.

It’s unlikely Johnson will be able to play again this season, but his prognosis is good and doctors expect him to make a full recovery, Hinika said in a statement released by the hospital.

Johnson is the Trojans’ second-leading rusher with 157 yards, and he leads USC (3-1, 1-1 Pac-10) with five touchdowns. He led USC in rushing last season with 705 yards and nine touchdowns, but has become into the Trojans’ short-yardage specialist this season behind starter Joe McKnight.

“It hit him with a lot of force, and it hurt him,” coach Pete Carroll said after the Trojans’ brief practice Monday night. “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.”

Johnson had a spotter when the accident happened — an assistant strength and conditioning coach was standing over him.

“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 was standing 10 feet away when the accident happened. “We’re fortunate he was being spotted.”

Johnson, one of six tailbacks who get regular practice time with the Trojans, scored two touchdowns apiece against San Jose State and Ohio State, including that 2-yard run with 1:05 left to beat the Buckeyes. He added another touchdown last weekend against Washington State.

Johnson has carried the ball just 32 times this season, while also catching one pass for the Trojans, who visit No. 24 California on Saturday.

Video: Melanie Fiona – “It Kills Me”

Ms. Fiona, what can I say? I heard her other song, “Give It To Me Right” …. Dope. This song right here… right here, this song… we’re talking about this song right here…. ” It Kills”. It’s doper than that other song. Soulful. First time I heard this song, when I was waking up of only 3 -4 hours of sleep, the chorus was playing but I thought I was in trouble for something.So I wake up startled…. then soothed. Ha ha ha… Enjoy.

Her album “The Bridge” drops on November 3rd.

Swizz Beatz On The Set Of “Transformers”

In the video below Swizz Beatz discusses the upcoming Chris Brown single, “Transformer,” featuring Lil Wayne that he produced.

more about “Swizz Beatz On The Set Of “Transformers”“, posted with vodpod