[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

4/16/06

Gentry remains in hospital after Friday’s surgery

Sunday, April 16, 2006

Tim May and Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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Reserve receiver and punter Tyson Gentry suffered a serious neck injury during practice Friday, Ohio State officials confirmed yesterday, and he remained in the OSU Medical Center last night.

Gentry, 20, a third-year walk-on from Sandusky, underwent surgery Friday night soon after being transported to the emergency room from Ohio Stadium, where he was injured. The Gentry family requested that no details as to the severity of the injury or a prognosis be given to the media, an OSU spokesman said.

"Ty is alert and in good spirits, and is receiving the very best in medical care," his father, Bob, said in a statement released by OSU. "My wife Gloria and I want to thank the wonderful team of doctors and nurses for all they have done for him. We also want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. We ask that you continue to keep our son in your prayers."

Tyson Gentry is the first OSU football player in recent memory to suffer a serious neck injury, a school spokesman said.

It occurred as Gentry was hit after catching a pass while crossing over the middle. Eyewitnesses, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the hit he sustained was not remarkable, except that Gentry dropped the ball and slumped to the ground and lay motionless for some time before emergency medical personnel arrived.

Coach Jim Tressel ended practice at that point, letting his players go for Easter weekend. He then went to the hospital to be with Gentry.

"Tyson is a wonderful young man who loves the game of football and loves being at Ohio State and following in the footsteps of his dad," Tressel said in a statement released by the university. "Our players, coaches and everyone in the Ohio State athletics department family are praying fervently for his recovery."
Bob Gentry played for Ohio State in the mid-1970s but never earned a letter.