Anthony Conner Injury: Broken Neck Adds Perspective to College Football

Louisville's Anthony Conner broke his neck playing a game. While this game is a distraction for millions of fans, big business for Universities, and an opportunity for the players, in the end, it is just a game.

A game with the possibility of life altering and even life ending concerns.

Hopefully Conner does not become an example of those realities.

The Injury

Conner broke his neck making a tackle Friday night. The injury occurred on the first play of the second quarter. Conner lay unconscious on the field as medical staff attended to him, and players and fans watched silently hopeful that he would be okay.

Conner regained consciousness and he was able to move his arms. A sign that brought on a sense of relief to everyone involved. However, it was later discovered that his neck was broken.

The Reaction

Louisville coach Charlie Strong spoke about the injury following the game, and I quote from the AP's Teresa Walker:

"

"Anthony Conner, it's so sad. Our prayers go out to him and his family, but he ended up breaking his neck.

"It's just so tough anytime you lose a player,It's what happens in this game, but you just never think it'll happen to one of your own. For that to happen, it is, it's sad. I think our players, I told them right after the game. I ended up telling them about it, and some of them didn't take it very well. The whole team didn't take it very well."

"

Conclusion

This injury reminds everyone what is at stake for these kids. And while it is easy to get wrapped up in the pageantry and intensity of the larger than life nature of these contests, in the end, they are anything but larger than life.

Louisville and the NCAA need to make sure that Conner receives the best medical care possible until he is fully recovered from this injury. This is something that has in the past not always happened with injuries in college football.