FRANKIE TELFORT: Once a Trojan, Always a Trojan

Frankie Telfort is a linebacker and a member of the 2009 recruiting class of USC.  Frankie played his high school football at Miami Gulliver Prep.  It was there, that he decided to play football for USC.

When a recruit decides to commit to play at USC, Pete Carroll explains that he is part of the Trojan family.  Pete Carroll already knows he can play for the Trojans, but he wants the recruit to know something more.

Pete Carroll tells the recruit and his family that USC is also making a commitment.  USC guarantees the recruit's scholarship, regardless of what may physically happen to him.  The recruit is a Trojan, from that moment forward.

Unfortunately, there are times when the Trojan family is put on display in a way which saddens us all. 

Frankie Telfort not only excels in football, but as a student too.  He has done well in the classroom and plans to major in pre-med.

Frankie Telfort's major hasn't changed, but his plans for football have.  USC discovered that Frankie has a heart condition. 

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy affects, on an average, one in five hundred.  I don't think that Frankie Telfort is much concerned about the chances of having the condition.  He does and that's all that matters.

Frankie's condition was discovered before organized practices began at USC.  The school had several specialists in the Los Angeles area examine Frankie.  Then, they had Minnesota's Heart Clinic give another opinion.

Frankie's condition is the most common cardiovascular cause of sudden death in the world.  It's fortunate to have had that condition discovered, but what now? 

Frankie isn't well enough to play football.  Suddenly, Frankie faced what all athletes do.  He faced the end of his career in football.  However, his football career ended before it really began.

Unlike most athletes, Frankie had an ace in the hole.  The aforementioned ace in the hole is a combination of Mike Garrett and Pete Carroll.

Frankie had practiced with the Trojans during summer conditioning drills.  He became friends with many of the players.  It was evident that Frankie Telfort was a football player who would have played during 2009.

Frankie is a Trojan.  There's a lot of meaning to being a Trojan.  Frankie just discovered the tip of the iceberg. 

Frankie Telfort, the college football player won't happen.  However, Frankie Telfort, the pre-med student is within his grasp.

Frankie, even before an organized practice, will retain his scholarship?  That's a bit hard to believe, but it's true.

I read recently that UCLA dropped four recruits from their 2009 recruiting class.  None of them had anything wrong with them.

The difference between USC and other schools rests with the Trojan family concept.  Once a Trojan, always a Trojan.  You will hear it throughout the NFL.  NFL players, coaches and owners all know about it.

Could the above be the reason why so many USC players are drafted into the NFL?  There are more NFL people who have an association with USC than with any other school in the nation. 

USC linebacker coach, Ken Norton Jr., stated, "I found out that it's true.  You're a Bruin for four years, but a Trojan for life." 

Ken Norton Jr., is no more going to coach at UCLA than Pete Carroll is going to return to the NFL.  

Frankie Telfort is on full scholarship at USC and is expected to graduate in 2013.

                                           FIGHT ON, FRANKIE!