As the college football world mourns the passing of Navy slotback Will McKamey, word is out of another college football player battling a scary brain-related medical issue. Nevada redshirt freshman wide receiver Tucker Melcher is being treated at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada for an infection in his brain.
“There’s brain swelling,” Bubba Melcher, Tucker’s father, said in a report by USA Today. “It’s a waiting game… The next three days are pretty hit and miss. Nobody knows how it happened.”
According to the report, Melcher is hooked up to a ventilator to prevent aspiration while being diagnosed for paralysis in the left arm and leg. Doctors reportedly believe the paralysis is temporary.
“It’s happened before to young kids like this and they come out of it,” Bubba said. “With the complications, it’s a guessing game.”
A dangerous game, for sure. Nevada head coach Brian Polian released a statement extending thoughts to Melcher and his family.
“We have been aware of the situation since Saturday and have been in constant communication with his family,” Polian’s statement says. “I have been with Tucker over the last couple of days, as have many other members of our staff and team. The physical and mental toughness that Tucker has shown through this has been inspiring and will no doubt help him further as he continues to recover. The thoughts and prayers of our program are with the Melcher family right now.”
On Tuesday Navy’s McKamey passed away while in a coma just days after collapsing on the practice field. McKamey had previously been treated for a brain injury in high school.