Michigan State linebacker Wayne Matthews III was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital during Saturday’s game against USC after suffering a frightening on-field injury during the second quarter.
Matthews appeared to have been briefly left motionless on the field after trying to tackle the Trojans’ Waymond Jordan in the second quarter. Spartans medical staff loaded the 23-year-old Maryland native onto a stretcher and then a cart that took him to a waiting ambulance at the edge of the field.
Matthews was rushed to LA General Hospital, a Level 1 trauma center – the highest for these types of injuries – according to Fox sideline reporter, Alexa Landestoy.
After a few frightening moments, Matthews could be seen moving his arms and legs, although medical staff still cut off his jersey before moving him onto the stretcher.
In another encouraging sign, Matthews did offer a ‘thumbs up’ gesture to teammates who offered support as he was taken to the ambulance with his neck and head stabilized.
Trojans fans gave Matthews a standing ovation as he was taken off the field at the LA Coliseum.
Matthews is seen being taken on a cart to an awaiting ambulance after the frightening hit
Matthews started his college career at Old Dominion before transferring to Michigan State
Spartans teammates hang back and watch as medical staff rush Matthews to an ambulance
Meanwhile, many of Matthews’ Michigan State teammates took part in a group prayer before play resumed.
It’s still unclear what, exactly, happened to Matthews.
The tackle was obscured by offensive and defensive lineman battling along the line of scrimmage, but Spartans teammates immediately called for medical staff to rush onto the field and evaluate their fallen teammate.
‘It was something of a non-descript play,’ FOX play-by-play commentator Jason Benetti said. ‘Pretty immediately, it was clear that Wayne Matthews was going to need help off the field. And we’re thinking of everybody down there right now. Wayne Matthews, centrally.’
Naturally, there was an outpouring of support on social media.
‘Praying for Wayne Matthews,’ read one of hundreds of similar online posts.
‘Really hope Wayne Matthews will be OK,’ another read.
USC would score quickly soon thereafter before going into halftime with a 24-10 lead.
A transfer from Old Dominion, Matthews took over as the ‘green dot’ linebacker after teammate Logan Hall was ejected for targeting earlier in the game. The ‘green dot’ linebacker is the designated defender who gets direct play calls from the coaching staff through a helmet radio, which is identified by the green sticker.
