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On the mend Miami's McGahee out of hospital, starting rehab on kneePosted: Tuesday January 07, 2003 6:22 PMUpdated: Wednesday January 08, 2003 10:37 AM
MIAMI (AP) -- Miami Hurricanes tailback Willis McGahee has commenced his comeback from a knee injury that was less devastating physically and financially than first feared. McGahee was released from the hospital Tuesday, two days after undergoing surgery. He has already begun a rehabilitation program by doing leg lifts, even with his left knee heavily wrapped. The injury, which occurred during the Fiesta Bowl last Friday, will prevent the All-American running back from turning pro this year. But a Gainesville insurance agent confirmed Tuesday that he wrote a $2.5 million insurance policy for McGahee two weeks before the game. Keith Lerner said he faxed the last of the paperwork to Lloyds of London just hours before kickoff. If McGahee can't play football by Jan. 3, 2004 -- one year from the date of the injury -- he will collect $2.5 million tax-free, Lerner said. If McGahee makes the pros after that, he must pay the money back. McGahee tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his knee during the fourth quarter of Miami's overtime loss to Ohio State. When he underwent nearly five hours of surgery, doctors determined the injury was less extensive than feared, with the posterior cruciate ligament undamaged. McGahee, a sophomore, now will likely play at least one more season with the Hurricanes. His surgeon, Dr. John Uribe, said McGahee should make a full recovery but did not offer a timetable. Teammate Frank Gore tore two ligaments in his knee last March, began running five months later but never returned to full-contact practice during the season. McGahee has eight months until Miami's opener at Louisiana Tech. Lerner, who has written insurance policies for a number of past and present Hurricanes players, said McGahee's family took out a $20,000 bank loan to pay the premium on his policy. It covered him from Dec. 20 until he signs a pro contract. McGahee, a Miami native, rushed for a school-record 1,686 yards and 27 touchdowns this past season. He was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, the Doak Walker Award and the Walter Camp Player of the Year award. Before the injury, he was expected to turn pro and be the first running back taken in the April draft. "What's so unusual about this case is that it was a national championship game, and it was a player who [would be] a top-five draft pick that was minutes away from probably entering into the NFL draft," Lerner said. "And you add to it the fact that the policy was literally taken out days before the game." |
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