USC running back shows progress after surgery
Stafon Johnson spoke his first public words Saturday since his weight lifting accident
USC running back Stafon Johnson has made remarkable progress, regaining the ability to speak and swallow, only three months after a near fatal weight lifting accident.
The words Johnson spoke were of great meaning to him and his family. They were the last words his grandfather spoke to him before he passed away.
According to the AP, before USC's game against Stanford, Johnson said seven words, "God has a plan. Run Stafon, Run."Johnson's progress is well ahead of what doctors of what doctors originally expected. Johnson needed several surgeries to repair his crushed trachea and reattach his vocal cord after dropping a weight lifting bar on his neck while bench pressing.
Johnson's doctor, Ryan Osbourne, said the tracheotomy tube has been removed from his neck along with the feeding tube from his stomach. Doctors wondered if Johnson would ever be able to swallow again after such a serious injury.
Doctors now seemed hopeful that Johnson will be able to make a full recovery. It is still unclear if Johnson will be able to return to football or if the running back even has the desire.
