Tailback Stafon Johnson suffered a throat injury while weightlifting Monday morning and is undergoing surgery this afternoon.
Johnson, a senior from Compton, was bench-pressing with a spotter in Heritage Hall's weight room when the bar slipped out of his right hand and fell at an angle onto his throat. USC's athletic trainers and emergency personnel rushed to the scene, and Johnson was taken to a local hospital, where he's currently undergoing surgery on his throat.
"It was an unfortunate accident and Stafon is getting great care right now," Coach Pete Carroll said. "We don't have a lot of information at this point and we'll keep everyone updated, but our thoughts and prayers are with Stafon."
Head strength and conditioning coach Chris Carlisle, who was within 10 feet of the incident, said he was shocked something like this could happen.
"I've seen players have the bar slip and fall onto their chest, but never in my 25 years of coaching have I heard of someone dropping a bar on their throat," Carlisle said. "We're fortunate he was being spotted."
The bench press is commonly regarded as one of the safest exercises in the weight room, especially with a spotter, Carlisle said. An assistant strength and conditioning coach was spotting Johnson this morning.
Johnson's recovery time from surgery is unknown at this time.
USCRipsIt will have more information as it becomes available.
Ben,
Thanks for the post and update. I almost fell out of my chair listening to ESPN! First and foremost, heartfelt prayers to Stafon and family.
Situations like this remind us that as passionate as we Trojan fans are.....it's ONLY a football game, and life threatening accidents can happen in an instant even when under a watchful eye.
God speed to Stafon. He has learned from a master to "fight on". I'm sure the lessons learned on the field will help him get through this situation!
Good luck and God speed to you Stafon! Thoughts and prayers are with you and the doctors performing the surgery. Also to your Mom, Kim, and young son and to your cousin, Travon, and to all your family.
Thanks for the update Ben, and FIGHT ON STAFON!!! God Bless you my man!!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Stafon.
Shocked to hear such sudden and sad news. Sending our thoughts and prayers to Stafon for a full and speedy recovery. God Bless, Liz
thoughts and prayers with stafon and his family
Wishing Stafon a safe and healthy recovery.
My thoughts are with you - hoping for a safe and speedy recovery. All the best to you and your family.
The Sanchez family sends their love and concern to Stafon Johnson and family. We are praying for you.
Sending out positive thoughts & love to Stafon & his family. Be well soon.
Fight On!
Sending wishes for a fast and full recovery from the land of the Gophers.
Just heartsick about this news -- all our thoughts, prayers and Fight ONs to Stafon and his family. We are thankful for his life and commitment to this program and look forward to seeing him back on the field.
Mark ('77), Cynthia ('79), Shannon ('09) and Meredith Dickerson
I'm praying for you Stafon. I believe in my heart that you will make a full recovery. God bless you.
Best wishes and a fast recovery...wolverine fan
We're all praying for you Stafon. We know you'll make it through because you're a fighter. God speed in your full recovery.
Our thoughts and prayers to Stafon and family, may God give you a fast and full recovery. God Bless!!
Many thoughts and prayers from Gator Nation. Get well soon. Blessings!
Praying for a swift and full recovery. Fight on, Stafon!
I'm going to miss hip pointing at the sky to God when he scores. I love this about him. I have faith that God will give him a perfect recovery.
get well stafon the world needs people like you1
Sending our prayers and thoughts of a full/fast recovery.
Stafford Mays Family
Wishing Stafon a complete and speedy recovery. His presence will be missed.
my prayers r with Stafon Johnson the big #13 my family and i pray for a speedy and healthy recovery, thaught i was hearing things when the announced it on the news, Big USC fans , Our prayers go out to his family. after all God has his hands on the Big #13, and the # 1 USC team.
From the Cal Bear community our thoughts and prayers are with Stafon Johnson and his family. It was disheartening to here about his tragedy. While we still plan to dethrone USC on Saturday, moments like this remind us that some things supercede sports. Good Luck Stafon and Best Wishes to your Family. Our thoughts are with you.
Stafon,
My thoughts for you and your family, and my wishes for a prompt and expedient recovery.
FIGHT ON!
I'm sorry Mr. Johnson got hurt but don't you think its kind of weird he didn't get rushed to USC Medical Center!
Stafon,
We are praying God's grace and mercy upon you. We pray the Lord's will be done. We pray for the medical facility, doctors, etc. May God's hand be upon them as they work on you. Hold your head up, we are praying for you and your family. What a time for a FIGHT ON! Continue to pray without ceasing for Stafon and his family.
In HIS love.
Hang in there big dogg its going to be alright....Our prayers are with you
Dear Johnson Family and USC fans. I send my prayers from NC that Stafon will be well soon.
Blessings from a huge USC fan here in NC. Fight On
Glad to hear tonight that Stafon will be alright, Our prays and love goesout to the Johnson family, and we wish him a speedy recovery.
Stafon.....Keep your head up! You are a great person, role model, and true assest to SC. We wish you the best, and Fight on!
Stafon, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Here's to a speed recovery. FIGHT ON!!!
You are a repected and loved member of this team and the Trojan Family. Our best wishes for a full and quick recovery. FIGHT ON!
It could be that the specialists he needs are at California Hosp. Don't be a conspiracy theorist!
FIGHT ON! Staffon! You are healed!
Best wishes to Stafon and his family for a speedy recovery. The strength and character you've shown over your years as a Trojan will serve you well. Just know the Trojan family and fans all look forward to seeing you healthy again soon. Fight On!
Stafon, wishing and praying for a quick and full recover from you accident.