Boston College linebacker Bodie Kahoun was taken to a Boston hospital in an ambulance Friday evening after he was left motionless on the field following a collision during the game against visiting Rutgers. The incident occurred with 7:52 remaining in the first half at Alumni Stadium.
Kahoun tackled Rutgers running back Antwan Raymond, but then fell under a leaping teammate, Carter Davis. When the players were cleared from the pile, Kahoun remained still on his back. Trainers immediately rushed onto the field to attend to him. "Serious situation here in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts," ESPN announcer Mike Monaco stated as the broadcast returned from a commercial break. "Bodie Kahoun, the redshirt sophomore Notre Dame transfer receiving medical attention. You'll see they already have the cart out and Kahoun laying on his back."
Players from both teams knelt as Kahoun was attended to, then carted off the field and transferred to an ambulance. "As he's coming in from left to right, he's gonna get involved here in the tackle," said analyst Jordan Rodgers, Aaron Rodgers' brother, while reviewing the play. "Looks pretty routine up to here. Just takes a hard hit. A lot of times, when your teammate almost tackles the ball carrier into you, you're not as ready to absorb the hit."
Later, Boston College Athletics provided an update via social media, stating that the linebacker "has 'movement in all extremities' and is 'being taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.'" ESPN reported that Kahoun was transported to Brigham and Women's Hospital accompanied by his father, Craig.
"Very tough," BC coach Bill O'Brien commented after the game. "He's just an awesome guy. You can see what that meant to the team. That meant a lot to the team. We'll have some further news on that later, but it looks like there's some hope there with the feeling in the extremities."
Before the injury, Kahoun had recorded six tackles for the Eagles. The team was also playing with added motivation, honoring former Boston College lacrosse star Welles Crowther, who died 25 years prior during the 9/11 attacks. Crowther, known as the 'Man in the Red Bandanna,' was credited with rescuing at least 10 people inside the World Trade Center before its collapse.
"Hey, now we're playing for two reasons: for Bodie, for Welles," Eagles defensive back KP Price said at halftime.
Despite the setback, Boston College secured a 28-21 victory over Rutgers, evening their record at 1-1. Rutgers' record falls to 0-2.
Kahoun, originally from Roanoke, Virginia, is a 6-foot-2, 225-pound transfer from Notre Dame who joined the Boston College team this season. Boston College is scheduled to play Maine next week, while Rutgers will face USC in a Big Ten matchup.