Tennessee men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl said he thanks God that the cardiac event suffered by sophomore forward Emmanuel Negedu did not have a tragic ending.
Negedu, a 6-foot-7, 219-pound native Nigerian, collapsed without warning on the indoor football field while exiting the Neyland-Thompson Sports Complex after a light weight room workout and a short sprint with a teammate Monday afternoon.
UT trainers Chad Newman and Jason McVeigh revived the 20-year-old Negedu with a defibrillator within minutes after his heart stopped beating. He regained consciousness before emergency medical technicians arrived and transported him by ambulance to the UT Medical Center.
Negedu was held over Monday and Tuesday night and continued to undergo a battery of tests as doctors work to determine what caused the event and determine the appropriate course of action.
“If the incident takes place not within the reach of the training room...,’’ Pearl said on Tuesday’s Sports Page radio show,. “Lots of factors had to happen for God to do his work, and we thank God for the blessing of his work and the blessing of (Newman and McVeigh).
“Everyone responded extremely professionally, and Emmanuel has responded as well.’’
Negedu released a statement through University of Tennessee on Tuesday night.
“I feel good,” he said. “It means a lot that everyone has asked about me and that people are praying for me. It’s good to be a part of the Tennessee family.”
Key members of that family were quick to come to Negedu’s aid Monday afternoon.
Vols’ graduate assistant coach Dustin Edwards and strength and conditioning coach Troy Wills also rushed to Negedu’s aid when a teammate screamed out across the facility for help.
At first the players thought the always jovial “E-Man,’’ as they call him, might be kidding around. He had been laughing seconds before and hadn’t exhibited symptoms that would indicate pending peril.
The terrifying moments that followed left the Vols’ basketball players who were present wide-eyed and confused.
“Emmanuel had an incident yesterday that was scary, our staff was on the spot, and he survived the incident,’’ Pearl said. “I’m not going to get specific with what it was — when we finish with testing and have a dialog with doctors, we may be able to talk about it.
“He’s not at risk, and he’s in very good hands.’’
UT associate head coach Tony Jones stayed at the hospital until midnight and assistant coach Steve Forbes stayed overnight. Pearl and his wife, Brandy, also stayed late and went back to the hospital early Tuesday morning.
Pearl said Negedu’s greatest fears were not for his own safety but the well-being of his family in Nigeria.
“When I got to the hospital and saw Emmanuel, his No. 1 concern and the first thing out of his mouth was about his family,’’ Pearl said. “He said his family could not afford to lose him. His family was counting on him to come to this country to get his degree and play basketball.’’
Negedu’s family last visited Knoxville in the summer, and Pearl said he does not anticipate Negedu’s family is in position to come at this time.
He has said in prior interviews that he comes from a poor financial background in Kaduna, Nigeria.
A soccer player throughout his childhood, Negedu didn’t begin playing organized basketball until he was 15 years old. He was discovered at the NBA-sponsored “Basketball Without Borders” camp in Africa and received a scholarship to the Brewster Academy in New Hampshire.
Negedu, the 40th overall rated player in the Class of 2008 by Rivals.com, originally committed to Arizona before changing his direction and signing with the Vols after a spirited recruiting battle with Memphis.
He enrolled at UT the second term of summer school in 2008. He quickly won over teammates and fans with his deeply accented voice, wide smile, tales of life in Africa and astounding athletic feats.
Despite his size, Negedu ran the 40-yard dash in under 4.4 seconds and had a vertical leap of 40 inches. Often times after practice he would bounce the ball off his back foot or head and go up and dunk it in true Globetrotter-esque form.
The combination of his lack of experience and the Vols’ depth on the front line prevented Negedu from playing more minutes last season, but he was challenging to start this season.
Pearl said that as Monday afternoon wore on, the people Negedu has touched in his brief stint in the U.S. continued to call.
“He was in the hospital laughing and carrying on; he had two cell phones and friends were all reaching out to him,’’ Pearl said. “He has a wonderful host family (in the New England area) who has stayed close to him, and there has been a ton of support.’’
Pearl said Negedu’s resiliency leaves him amazed.
“Once he got over the fear and concern that was natural after an incident like that, he’s been doing great,’’ Pearl said. “It’s one of those things where it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. They don’t get any better than him.
“He’s a very special young man.’’
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Comments » 33
AceVentura writes:
This is a sad event. Sad that it had to happen to such a nice guy. I hope this was just some freak accident and that he'll be able to continue to pursue his and his family's dreams. Best of luck and a speedy recovery. The Vol Nation Loves its Nigerian son.
jakethevolguy writes:
Good luck E-Man. We all are praying for a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing you back on the court. GBO!!
johnlg00#206211 writes:
No doubt there is some kind of nit-picky NCAA rule against the university doing anything, but maybe some ordinary Good Samaritan can do it. I know everyone is hoping he can play ball again some day, but that is probably a long shot. The main thing is that with his positive personality, he should be able to have a satisfying life even if he can't play again.
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
Yes they do have a rule against it. I think it goes so far that we, (fans(, can't even raise the money for them to travel here without effecting his eligability.
(Of course if he was at SoCal it would be overlooked)
GreeneVol writes:
AWESOME response by the trainers, and like Pearl said, thank God it happened where it did! E-man, hang in there, get well soon, and we hope to see you on the court this fall. God bless!
allvol9 writes:
Proud of the way the staff and team has handled this. Thankful that it happened where it did....close to the trainers or it could have had a different outcome. Get well man...we need you!
Ironcity writes:
As much as we pick on the NCAA, they do mean well and they tend to step up when faced with situations like this, It would not surprise me if his family is brought here for this. The bigger issue may be customs and getting permission to come here. The governments moves slowly in these matters
AlphaMan writes:
If he's got hypertrophic pyloric stenosis he's done as a Vol. That's what killed Lynn Bias just before he was to join the Celtics. I know about it because my own doctors once suspected it in me. Fortunately I was fine. I pray that he is too.
DRAGtheWATERS writes:
Get well soon EEEEEEEEEEE-MAN!!!!!!!!!
InertGas writes:
Thank God they had a defibrillator and someone that knew how to use it on site. If they had to wait on an ambulance the outcome may have been tragic. Great work and thanks McVeigh and Newton.
mlsoft#228820 writes:
I enjoyed watching E-Man's energy and enthusiasm last year -- he always seemed to pick the team up whenever he came in. I had no idea he could run a 4.4 40 -- he would be a great receiver on the football team with that speed and size and good hands.
I pray that he will be able to continue his dream of playing basketball and getting his degree. Get well soon.
I couldn't help but wonder about one line in the write-up though -- "Often times after practice he would bounce the ball off his back foot ..."
"Off his back foot"???
mlsoft
johnlg00#206211 writes:
It's not that hard to get a temporary visa for compassionate reasons. The complications are mostly for people who want to immigrate here permanently or visitors from countries on the State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism. Nigeria is not on that list. I can't speak for the efficiency of the Nigerian government in such cases, but OUR State Department or Department of Homeland Security should not be an obstacle.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I'm sure they meant "off the back of his foot". I would fall on my face trying to do something like that, but it is no great trick for an accomplished soccer player, which E-Man was before he took up basketball.
GerryOP writes:
Prayers for recovery continue...
MillisaAnn writes:
Your still in my prayers Emmanuel Get Well Soon!!! God is with you and your family.
PrimeTime writes:
All of our prayers are with you E-Man! Get well soon!
RoadTrip writes:
God is good all the time. All the time God is good. E-Man has God's touch on his life. Prayers are being lifted for your full recovery.
BigVolFaninSC writes:
Get well soon EMAN! Rest assured that there are many that are lifting you up in prayer and that you will have a speedy recovery! God bless you!
BhamVol0930 writes:
What you probably mean is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, also known as "HCM"....Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is seen in infants, not adults. I'd be surprised if this guy will be cleared to play again- we'll just have to wait and see what all his tests show. I'm a ER doctor and i don't know if most people realized what has happened here. True, he did "pass out", but if what is being reported about the debrillator is true, he passed out because he went into cardiac arrest, likely ventricular fibrillation. In other words, he died and was brought back. That's a lot different than just "passing out". The headlines should instead read, "Negedu suffers cardiac arrest after workout"
SuckTheseVols98 writes:
couldn't agree more!
VolNWA writes:
Just out of curiosity, I checked the details on Len Bias and his death was attributed to a cocaine overdose, but good analysis otherwise.
volaholic45 writes:
It's hard to see how his athletic career could continue. The guy's heart stopped. Can you imagine him racing up and down the court with the trainers at the ready with the defibrillator for the next life-threatening event? As disappointing as this is, he needs to get his college education and provide for the family in a less physically stressful, and perhaps less garishly affluent, line of work.
NashvilleVolsincebirth writes:
It does look like your right but it might be correctable. For sure it will not be based on some timetable. It will be based on what the Doc says. Seems there are a few conditions that can be monitored or some minor surgery to fix the heart trigger mechanism. I am a Biology/Chemistry double major way back in '84 and I forget the name of that part of the heart. No, I did not keep the expensive books, I bought beer. I could use the book right now though, oh well the beer was good and the good times we had on that dough are worth remembering. GO VOLS!
NashvilleVolsincebirth writes:
I apologize, I can't talk about those long remembered beer silly days now while this young man's life is in such a state.
My wish is that God will bless Emanual Negadu to do what he needs to do so that he may make his way in this cruel world that is full of surprises. I hope and pray that it is his will that Emanual returns to UT Basketball as a player who is worthy of the first round of the NBA draft.
Count_Me_In writes:
Yes, Voice, there was a separate article yesterday when the story first broke with a lot of posts about the possible implications for E-Man. And you were one of the first to say his basketball playing was over. Isn't that exciting! I mean you should be so proud! You were the first one to get to say that a kid who has worked extremely hard to realize a future he has dreamed of just had that dream taken away! But kudos and credit to you, you were the first to say it. Good for you.
tonyvick#213307 writes:
I hope he is able to read these e-mails and really see God has something very special for him. He now has a great testimony for the Goodness of God.
10eceeVol4ever writes:
You know the more I think about this post the more upset I get. Who gives a rats behind who first reported that his career was over. I certainly don't. All I'm concerned with is that this young man gets better, continues his education, and is able to help his family.
MidwestVol writes:
Voice, I second this opinion by CMI. I really appreciate your inside information - per my posts yesterday but your response seemed emotionally out of context. Perhaps a chill pill would help. Does it really matter that you were the first to post his career is over?
Ironcity writes:
Its likely his career is over but I wouldn't say definitely until we know what caused the issue. There have been instances related to non heart related issues such as allergic reactions that can cause one to have a heart attack. If the problem can be controlled through medication or diet, its possible but unlikely that his career could continue sometime in the future. I guess its fortunate that he had the incident when he did, a few minutes later it could have been fatal.
BigOrangeJeff writes:
6' 7", 220, 4.4, very athletic? I say, once he's fully recovered, that CLK should give give him a shot at WR.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
From what I have heard, "recovery" in terms of resuming an athletic career is out of the question. E-Man CAN get healthy enough to resume his schooling and get a job like most of us less-athletic types. It is a shame in a way, but it is what it is. I'm sure you were joking, but this is no laughing matter.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I hate to post this on this particular thread more than on most, but the "comments" section is just not working right today, on my computer at least. I can't contact GVX through Outlook Express--a useless piece of garbage, IMHO--so this is the only way I can hopefully bring it to someone's attention.
When I click on "reply to this post" I go to the usual page for that operation. After typing my post and reviewing it, I hit "post your comment". Then when the "thank you" page comes up, if I click on "go back" it just throws me back SOMEWHERE on the page where I found the comment, requiring me to scroll through that page to find where I left off on the thread. That is the way it has worked since the last major format change, which I thought at the time was a regression from the way it worked before, when it would take you back to the very comment you had replied to. When I click on "view your comment", today at least, it throws me back to the page where the comment would go, but my comment IS NOT THERE. This has happened on SEVERAL threads today, Sep. 30.
What the heck is happening? It did this once before and when I asked about it, I got some unintelligible techno-babble, but after awhile it just started working right again. I guess the same thing will happen eventually, but from my point of view, the new format is WAY buggier than the old one was. Newer is not NECESSARILY better, a concept that seems completely beyond the comprehension of the average techno-head, who always want to show off what cool new thing he/she can do, whether it actually NEEDS to be done or not.
Count_Me_In writes:
My apologies Voice, I didn't realize that you were such a stand up guy. E-Man is lucky to have someone like you close to him.
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