The multiple Top 25 upsets during Saturday’s round of college football became a secondary story to a sobering incident in Tulsa, OK, when Tulane safety Devon Walker sustained a hit that left him motionless on TU’s H.A. Chapman Stadium.
Initial reports out of Tulsa claimed that Walker suffered a broken neck and collapsed lung during the impact. Additionally, it was reported that Walker had to be revived on the field and a tracheotomy was performed.
According to team doctor Greg Stewart, those reports are untrue. Here’s what the doctor said Saturday evening via the New Orleans Times-Picayune:“He did not drop a lung. Was there CPR done? Did we do chest compressions? Yes. But it was one of those things where once we got him hooked up to the monitor, his blood pressure was low so it was hard to feel the blood pressure and we didn’t have anything – he wasn’t hooked up to an EKG, wasn’t hooked up to an AED. When we first got out there and were dealing with him, we didn’t have any equipment so it’s all about what you can feel through sweat and gloves and all that kind of stuff. So, yes we did (do CPR) because we figured we would rather err on the side on doing compressions when we didn’t need to as opposed to not doing them and wishing we had.”
Stewart said Walker is in stable condition in a Tulsa hospital and is in traction -- immobilized as doctors treat the swelling in his neck and prepare him for surgery in the upcoming days.
Stewart also said Walker had some feeling in his arms and legs but the next 24 to 48 hours will give doctors a better idea of whether he will be paralyzed.Still, it’s wonderful news to hear that Walker is in stable condition. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Walker, his family and friends, as well as the entire Tulane community.