Grant Newsome's Injury
So we all knew it was bad...bad enough that he was in the hospital for 38 days.
However, he goes on to say here that he was "minutes from losing my leg" (emphasis mine) and that he walked off the field because his mom was at the game and he didn't want her to worry.
I will embed video below. Glad to see he's back with the team and in Rome.
April 25th, 2017 at 11:27 AM ^
Irreparably? Compartment syndrome? The man is ten years old!
April 25th, 2017 at 11:21 AM ^
April 25th, 2017 at 12:02 PM ^
Excellent explanation. I'll add that the very briefly the video panned over his leg. The surgical excision (scar) seemed travel well below the knee, suggestive possible fasciotomy (surgical treatment of compartment syndrome)
April 25th, 2017 at 12:40 PM ^
Also that's not just a scar, that looks very much like skin graft which is fairly normal as part of a fasciotomy.
There are people who know the actual injury. The medical staff were very smart in making an unusual diagnosis and treating it promptly. You give a very good description of arterial injury and the rationale to make that diagnosis quickly.
April 25th, 2017 at 10:43 AM ^
Yeah that's crazy. I can't believe there are still some commenters on this blog who think he'll play this year. I'll be shocked if he ever plays again. Football or otherwise, glad for him he didn't lose his leg.
What exactly happened that caused him to almost lose it though?? What exactly was the injury?
April 25th, 2017 at 10:51 AM ^
He sounds like a pretty extraordinary kid. Hopefully, he can get back and play the game he loves and excels without risking lifelong injury. If not, I hope he kicks butt in whatever else he chooses to do in the future.
GO BLUE!
April 25th, 2017 at 10:56 AM ^
+1.
Given how long Grant was in the hospital after his injury, was afraid of the popliteal artery 2ndry to knee dislocation.
April 25th, 2017 at 11:00 AM ^
Newsome won the essay contest, held by Harbaugh, for the right to join Harbaugh when he goes to see the Pope. If you haven't read it, you should do so. An impressive young man!
April 25th, 2017 at 11:33 AM ^
You can read the essays by Newsome and Salam Makki, the other winner, here:
http://collegefootball.ap.org/article/addio-michigans-football-team-heads-italy
April 25th, 2017 at 11:01 AM ^
I'd love for this guy to play again, but have a feeling he won't. I know he won't be back this season and the goal is for 2018, but this seems to be a devastaing injury.
April 25th, 2017 at 11:22 AM ^
He really seems to have a good head on his shoulders. I don't think he would be the sort to play at all costs, so if he returns I'm guessing it will be safe to do so. The biggest problem, though, would be psychological I would think. That's how it was with me at any rate after I hurt my knee.
April 25th, 2017 at 11:16 AM ^
I remember thinking when he limped off initially that it was bad, but after hearing him say that, I didn't realize it was so bad that he was within sight of actually losing that leg. Even with all the items that came out later about the injury and the extended absence from the field, I don't know that I would have thought it even then. Cannot imagine being told that either. It definitely puts in perspective some of the dangers of playing the sport.
It would be awesome to see him out there again, but it's totally understandable if we didn't.
April 25th, 2017 at 11:48 AM ^
I remember Harbaugh making a comment shortly after Newsome's injury where, if I remember right, JH said something about praying for him. That is when I figured Newsome had a more serious problem than any of us thought.
He seems like a good kid. Hope things work out as he wants them to, on the field if that is in his future, and off the field, if it is not.
April 25th, 2017 at 11:36 AM ^
April 25th, 2017 at 11:39 AM ^
first, the hit was dirty and the blocker must have been aware that he was about to seriously damage the player. if legal it shouldn't be. it can be as crippling as spearing head to head. the player that threw that block intentionally damaged newsome severely, and that type block to the knees can only result in severe knee/leg injury. it should not be allowed. defensive backs must be coached to not throw these blocks and linemen must be trained to avoid being hit like this. like head to head spearing, this should result in ejection, at a minimum.
the potential loss of limb, would have resulted from damage to the neurovascular bundle, depriving the leg of oxygen and nervous impulse. infection could also potentially result in amputation.
the hit sickened me then and does to this day, sealing the fate of Grant, and our season.
cassie, md'75
April 25th, 2017 at 12:46 PM ^
I get your anger, and also agree that targeting the knees should be illegal. But I will - and you should - stop short of claiming that safety intentionally injured Newsome. That is a shitty thing to say, unless the player admitted to doing so - and he hasn't. That kid did what he had been taught to do his entire defensive football life - meet an oncoming lineman low to avoid getting crushed and gum up the works on the play. That same block happens many times each game, and rarely results in this type of injury. Save for shit-tastic timing between Grant planting his foot and the hit coming, that injury doesn't happen. Maybe something else does? But we will never know that.
I dunno, maybe that kid is like James Harrison? Maybe UW was running something like New Orlean's bounty payments? I don't believe either are true... I have a dollar that says the kid feels some regret over that hit.
April 25th, 2017 at 11:42 AM ^
No questions on why braces were mandatory from then on.
April 25th, 2017 at 11:48 AM ^
Just an FYI, Angelique tweeted again that he is rehabbing and plans on playing in 2018.
April 25th, 2017 at 12:20 PM ^
Nice update. I always wondered how he could walk off the field like he did.
April 25th, 2017 at 12:25 PM ^
just happy for the kid that he is healing and walking again. Hopefully he will play again, but if not his health is what is most important and I hope he gains it back 100%
April 25th, 2017 at 12:35 PM ^
Hope that he does what is best for him in the long run.
Sports medicine and surgical procedures have changed considerabily in the last 20 yrs and individuals all respond to procedures and medical conditions differently, but that was a significant event.
One thing that I can say is that I can now feel the results of having injuries to several areas, left knee, both shoulders (dislocations/separations), lower back in my mid-40s. I now have to stretch and spend time doing strength excercises or I can feel the results (stiffness, pain, etc) and those are all from areas injured during sports 20+ years ago.
Best of luck to the young man in whichever path he chooses to follow.
Had a friend in high school whose older brother was a very good OL when we were in middle school. He was getting looked at by Iowa until he got rolled up on and blew his knee out. Was in the hospital for 2 months, they had to cut out part of his calf muscle and he could never run again. Went from potential DI OL to never playing a sport again. HIs family was crushed. I can't imagine what Newsome's parents were thinking.
Danny Kannel wants to know if anyone saw that leg? Were they a doctor? He just was saving himself like the other guys for the draft.
It's no wonder that coaches and teammates love this guy. Articulate, smart & a mensch! I so hope that he makes it all the way back.