UW’s Williams being evaluated by doctors for possible spinal cord injury and/or brain damage

  • JOHN SLEEPER / Herald writer
  • Saturday, October 28, 2000 9:00pm
  • Sports

By JOHN SLEEPER

Herald writer

STANFORD – Bobby Hauck’s red eyes weren’t from joy at Washington’s 31-28 victory over Stanford Saturday.

Hauck is Husky strong safety Curtis Williams’ position coach, the coach closest to Williams. And moments after Washington’s victory, Hauck’s thoughts were in Stanford Hospital, where Williams lay with what apparently is a serious injury.

“I’m pretty shook up right now,” Hauck said. “I love the guy like he’s one of my family. I don’t care about football right now. I just want to see if he can get well.”

Doctors have ruled out any broken bones to Williams’ neck, but he is being evaluated for a possible spinal-cord injury and/or brain damage. Any possible longterm prognosis was not possible, team physician John O’Kane said, until further evaluation.

Williams, a senior from nearby Fresno, was under sedation Saturday night while doctors performed an MRI to evaluate neck and/or brain damage. After the MRI, Williams was transported into the hospital’s intensive care unit. O’Kane said the medications administered to Williams would wear off within 12 to 24 hours.

“Then we should have a better indication of how he’s doing,” O’Kane said.

Williams suffered the injury in the third quarter after ramming helmet-to-helmet into Stanford tailback Kerry Carter. Following contact, Williams collapsed onto his back and lay motionless for 17 minutes while medical personnel attended to him. As he was being treated, the entire Husky team knelt in prayer. Stanford Stadium was quiet.

Williams was taken off the field by stretcher to an ambulance and was transported to the hospital.

O’Kane said Williams was barely conscious by the time UW trainers rushed to him. He lost consciousness shortly afterward. O’Kane said Williams’ vital signs were stable as he was taken to the hospital.

Two of Williams’ brothers were with him at the hospital. Following the game, the team went to the hospital and later caught a flight back to Seattle.

Hauck and Washington head coach Rick Neuheisel stayed behind.

Williams’ teammates reacted with sadness and hope.

“He is family,” said nose tackle Larry Tripplett, his eyes brimming with tears. “He has the heart of a soldier. He comes out and he fights for this team. That’s my brother. I’d do anything for C.W.”

Neuheisel said any joy the Huskies got from their come-from-behind victory was lost because of concern for Williams.

“Our team is very, very much thinking of Curtis,” Neuheisel said. “If there is a tougher guy on this team, I don’t know him. If there is a guy who can get through this, it is Curtis Williams.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

The Edmonds-Woodway bench reacts to a foul call during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Monday, Feb. 10

Warriors win battle of division champs.

Lake Stevens’ Kamryn Mason attempts to flip Glacier Peak’s Kyla Brown onto her back during 110-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vikings girls wrestling conquers 4A District 1 Tournament

Lake Stevens dominated with champions in six weight classes and 18 total state-qualifiers

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) smiles as head coach Nick Sirianni holds up the Lombardi trophy after they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. (Timothy A. Clary / AFP / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Eagles overwhelm Chiefs to win the Super Bowl

The Philadelphia Eagles perhaps did not vanquish the Kansas… Continue reading

Coach Derek Lopez (far right) and the Lake Stevens boys' wrestling team celebrates with their championship trophy at the WIAA 4A District 1 Tournament at Jackson High School on Feb. 8, 2025.
Lake Stevens boys capture district wrestling title

The Vikings had 17 state-qualifiers; second-place Arlington led with five weight class winners

Edmonds-Woodway wrestlers react to a pin during the match against Meadowdale on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys wrestling roundup for Saturday, Feb. 8

Edmonds-Woodway boys wins Wesco 3A South wrestling title.

Kamiak’s Kai Burgess has her arm raised in the air after beating Arlington’s Jaymari O’Neal in the 125-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Rebuilding Kamiak girls wrestling steps forward at District Tournament

Ki Burgess and Eden Cole each won their weight class in Friday’s WIAA District 1 Girls’ 4A Tournament

Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 8

Tulalip Heritage boys advance to district title game.

Meadowdale’s Kyairra Roussin takes the ball to the hoop during the game against Archbishop Murphy on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep girls basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Kyairra Roussin’s deep buzzer-beater lifts Meadowdale over Stanwood.

Prep boys basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Lake Stevens passes Mariner in league standings to take final district slot.

Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren watches his team against Washington Sunday, November 9, 2003. (George Bridges / KRT / Tribune News Services)
No Holmgren in Hall is a travesty

The Former Seahawks coach carries a resume superior to many already in the HOF.

A Snohomish School District truck clears the parking lot at Glacier Peak High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
Inclement weather cancellations strain high school sports calendar

With state tournaments on the horizon, ADs from Wesco, Northwest and Kingco must be flexible

Gonzaga overcomes stagnant start to beat LMU

Bulldogs get ‘best of best’ play down the stretch in 73-53 win.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.