Gordon to Face Neck Surgery After Saturday Injury
April 30, 2002 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Tennessee Valley Raptors News Release
The Tennessee Valley Vipers have lost fullback/linebacker, Robert Gordon, for the season after he injured his neck in last Saturday's win over the Macon Knights. Gordon sustained a fractured C 4/5 vertebrae in his neck while blocking from his fullback position. It is a season ending injury and possibly career ending.
"Our concerns are with him and his family," Viper head coach, Kevin Guy, said. "We hope that everything goes well with the surgery and that he heals. It makes you realize how we take some things for granted. Our thoughts and prayers are with Robert and his family. He will always be a Tennessee Valley Viper."
Gordon went down late in the second quarter and was down for more than 10 minutes. His arms and hands were numb and tingling. The fracture was confirmed in a CT Scan on Tuesday. He will undergo surgery on Wednesday or Thursday to fuse the vertebrae. Dr. Eric Parker of SportsMed Orthopedic and Spine Center will perform the surgery.
"This is a very serious injury," Viper head athletic trainer, Eric Myers said. "He is very lucky that this injury did not end up being something more severe. Our thoughts and prayers are with him."
Gordon was in his second season with the Vipers after a stellar career at North Alabama. He played in all 16 games last season and rushed for 59 yards on 20 carries and scored six touchdowns. He also caught five passes for 54 yards. He recorded 28 tackles on defense, two tackles-for-loss for three yards and four pass break ups. In three games this season, he rushed for 16 yards on seven carries and scored two touchdowns and caught one pass for 14 yards. He had two tackles and 0.5 sacks on defense. He is currently fourth on the Vipers all-time rushing list with 75 yards and second in rushing touchdowns with eight.
He was a three-year letterman and two-year starter at North Alabama from 1997-1999. He was a first-team All-Gulf South Conference selection in 1999. He is originally from Prichard, Alabama where he prepped at Vigor High School.
The Vipers should get Chris Bell back on the offensive line this week after a knee injury two weeks ago against Mobile. Ronald Bonner will miss two or three more weeks with a knee injury. The Vipers host Arkansas on Saturday night at 7:30.
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United Indoor Football Association Stories from April 30, 2002
- Gordon to Face Neck Surgery After Saturday Injury - Tennessee Valley Raptors
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