USC Star Tailback Stafon Johnson Survives Freak Accident

Late Monday afternoon during a routing workout at USC’s weightlifting facilities, star tailback Stafon Johnson had a suffered serious injuries while bench pressing. Even though he was being spotted by an assistant strength trainer, the bar carrying over 275 pounds slipped from his hand and crashed down on Johnson’s throat. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where four surgeons spent 7 hours performing reconstructive surgery, which was ultimately successful. Johnson is now in critical, but stable condition according to the latest reports.

According to Dr. Gudata Hinika, trauma director at California Hospital Medical Center, the injuries sustained by Stafon were so forceful that they were similar to being thrown through a windshield of a car. Apparently Johnson’s neck was so strong that he was able to keep his breathing passage open, ultimately saving his life. "Had that been any one of us, meaning me, I would not have survived," Hinika went on to say in his press conference today. "His neck was so solid and so muscular, that actually helped maintain his airway." His experience as a top level athlete helped to keep him calm and maintain his composure in a stressful environment that attributed to the success of the surgery and treatment. Hinika says that USC’s 2nd leading rusher and best touchdown producer probably won’t play again this season. The fact is that he’s lucky to be alive.

Now that Johnson is ok, what does this mean for USC football? Certainly a distraction like this tragedy is never welcome, and among many things all those who know, watch, and love Stafon Johnson hope that he will not only make a full recovery, but will be able to continue the game which he loves and has brought him so far. Coming off of a so-so “redemption” victory over the PAC-10 weakest Washington State Cougars, does USC have what it takes to go the distance? They’ll certainly get one of their biggest tests this Saturday.

The California Golden Bears are coming off of an absolutely embarrassing 42-3 thumping by Oregon. Usually after a serious upset, most teams will come back stronger than ever (except for USC against Washington State last week), and if Cal loses this week, they’re season is pretty much over. They’ve got a lot to lose. On the other hand, so does USC. Matt Barkley and stud Safety Taylor Mays are beginning to close in on 100% health, which will certainly help. Stafon Johnson is USC’s current top touchdown producer, and he will be seriously missed by this slightly underachieving offense. Will this be the week the deepest team in College Football turns the corner? Or will they wait to flip the switch until it’s too late like they did against Washington two weeks ago? Whatever the Trojans do, they’d better do it quickly, because short of their bowl game, this will probably be their biggest challenge of the season, all things considered.