Frankie Telfort: The Would-Be Trojan Linebacker Is Still a Winner

About eight months ago, I had the privilege, along with some others at a Trojan round-table chat, to interview Frankie Telfort, the 2009 Trojan linebacker recruit from Gulliver prep school in Miami, Florida.

While this opportunity marked the first time I had engaged Telfort, it was by no means the first time I had heard of the then-No. 8 prep linebacker as rated by Scout.com.

Most recruiting junkies were well aware of his exploits on the field, the eye-popping measurables such as the 4.4 40-yard dash times, and the multitude of highlight-film hits he regularly dispensed to unfortunate opponents.

What I wasn't aware of and what became abundantly clear after our chat was just how intelligent and focused this young man was.

When asked what he hoped to accomplish in his career at USC, Telfort didn't hesitate to respond, "I hope to get a great education."

Of course, he also expected to get playing time in his freshman season, particularly at the "will" or weakside linebacker position, but when asked if he had given thought to possibly switching to the safety position to utilize his tremedous speed, Telfort said no, he wanted to stay at linebacker where he could be in on as many plays as possible.

I then wrote an article on Telfort based on the interview and I wrapped that piece up with an observation: "Frankie Telfort would be a success in whatever endeavor he chooses to pursue."

Then, less than two moths later, Frankie Telfort's world came crashing down.

During a routine examination given to all USC athletes prior to playing, it was determined that Telfort had a heart condition that forced Frankie from the game he loves.

The condition, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, affects roughly one in every 500 people and is the leading cause of heart-related death among people under 30 years of age.

Many athletes have died of this disease, including Hank Gathers, Boston Celtic forward Reggie Lewis, and former Portland Trail Blazers center Kevin Duckworth.

Last year, Cuttino Mobley of the Clippers was forced to retire due to the condition.

When Telfort was advised of this, he, of course, was crushed.

But instead of hanging his head, Telfort moved on with the same stubborn conviction that allowed him to become the tremendous football player he was.

USC, to its credit, honored Telfort's scholarship, but, as part of the agreement, head coach Pete Carroll asked Frankie to help out the team.

Telfort tackled the assignment with all of the vigor that he used to dispense on opposing ball carriers.

Recently, Telfort was offered a coaching position on the east coast when he graduates.

However, don't be surprised if Telfort turns that job down.

After all, he is a pre-med student at USC with hopes of one day becoming a dermatologist or a cardiologist.

That cardiologist gig also has a story behind it.

In July of last year, Telfort travelled to Minnesota to undergo a second round of tests to see if his heart condition had abated enough to allow him to play.

Sadly, the news was the same. Frankie's heart just wasn't strong enough to play football.

But Frankie returned to the Southland with an offer from his cardiologist in Minnesota to intern there after his graduation from USC to see if he liked it.

If he goes that route, expect Telfort to tackle the heart problems of his patients like one of those poor ball carriers he routinely laid out in high school.

Like I said eight months ago, Frankie Telfort would be a success in whatever endeavor he chooses to pursue.

And I am more sure of it now than ever before.