By T. Scott Boatright
Grambling State University linebacker Jaquavis Richmond remained hospitalized in Baton Rouge following surgery as a result of an injury suffered Saturday night as the G-Men played at LSU.
Richmond (6-2, 215), who attended high school at Woodlawn High School in Shreveport, sustained the injury while making a tackle on LSU wide receiver Gregory Clayton at the end of a 22-yard punt return. He appeared to run into teammate Christian Williams while trying to tackle Clayton in the third quarter of the game at LSU, suffering an injury to the head/neck area.
He was attended to by medical personnel for about 10 minutes before being carefully taken off the field on a motorized cart.
Richmond was taken to Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center where he has received care from the medical staff. GSU officials said Monday that he underwent successful surgery Sunday to address the injury.
Grambling State officials released the following official statement on Richmond’s situation on Sunday evening:
“The Department of Athletics would like to thank the GSU sports medicine staff, Ochsner LSU Health, GSU athletic and university administrative staffs, GSU President Richard “Rick” Gallot, Jr., LSU President (William) Tate, AD (Scott) Woodard, Deputy AD (Verge) Ausberry, Associate AD for Sports Medicine Micki Collins and their respective staffs for their assistance and response last night.
“Once again, we want to thank the wonderful athletic trainers and medical staffs of both Grambling State, LSU, and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center for the extraordinary care and response to Jaquavis.
“At this time, there will be no further comment on the matter.”
Grambling’s State football coach Hue Jackson’s weekly press conference is set for Tuesday, when Jackson could potentially provide an update on Richmond’s condition.
LSU coach Brian Kelly told LSU’s Tiger Wire after the game that Richmond was in the thoughts and prayers of the LSU coaching staff and team.
“We’re hoping for the very best, and our thoughts and prayers are out to he and his family and certainly the Grambling State family,” Kelly said. “I wanted to make sure we talked about that and paid its proper respects. The game is pale in comparison to that.”
