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Lane Kiffin reveals Ole Miss player unresponsive after hit during practice, being airlifted to hospital
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Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin announced Monday afternoon that tight end DaMarcus Thomas sustained a very serious injury during practice in Oxford.
Thomas’ injury was apparently severe enough that he initially had no feeling in his lower body.
A helicopter arrived shortly after to airlift Thomas to the hospital.
“We just left practice. Player potentially severely injured,” Kiffin shared to open his press conference. “Damarcus Thomas was hit and hasn’t moved since. The helicopter is on its way now. I’ll answer questions about the game whenever it is, but nothing seems very important right now. He got hit and never moved and hasn’t had any feeling in his entire body. Informed the family. I don’t think I’ve been a part of anything like that personally. I’ve seen it on TV.”
Kiffin added that Thomas was able to have some feeling in his lower body before leaving for the hospital.
“Before he was taken away, he did have some movement and had some feeling in his body. Obviously great news,” Kiffin shared. “I don’t know what that means exactly. But it sure feels like great news compared to what it was 20 minutes ago.”
After witnessing the incident, the first-year Ole Miss coach said he called his ex-wife and said he didn’t care if their son, Knox, ever played football.
Kiffin said he called his son's mom and told her he could care less if his son ever plays football again after seeing DaMarcus Thomas' injury at practice this morning. Thomas unresponsive. Being airlifted to hospital staright from practice field. #OleMiss
— David Johnson (@Rebels247) November 2, 2020
Kiffin also said that Thomas’ family has been notified of the situation.
DaMarcus Thomas' family was called from the field. They have been notified. #OleMiss
— David Johnson (@Rebels247) November 2, 2020
Thomas is a true freshman from Whatley, Alabama. Per 247Sports Composite rankings, he was the No. 43 overall tight end in the 2020 recruiting class. He’s played in five games this season but hasn’t recorded any statistics.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
