Ball State says career over for injured player

Ball State announced Monday that senior wide receiver Dante Love is expected to lead a healthy life after extensive rehabilitation from a cervical spine fracture and spinal cord injury suffered Saturday night during his team’s 42-20 win against IU.

But he is never expected to play football again, according to a Ball State news release.

“His football career is expected to be over,” Ball State coach Brady Hoke told The Associated Press. “He has touched a lot of lives, and he will continue to do so.”

For senior tight end Darius Hill, Monday’s news came as a relief.

“It’s been pretty tough knowing he’s not going to be with us, but he’s always going to be a part of this team,” he told the AP. “It definitely takes a lot (of the concern) off, knowing that he’s going to be all right down the road.”

IU Athletics representatives declined comment Monday night.

Love underwent about five hours of surgery Saturday night into Sunday morning after suffering the injury in Ball State’s game against IU, played at Memorial Stadium.

Near the beginning of the second quarter, Love made a 2-yard reception before turning upfield and being met by freshman cornerback Chris Adkins, who tackled him
squarely. Love’s head appeared to snap back, and he stayed on the ground for several minutes after the play before being carried off and taken to Bloomington Hospital.

Love was airlifted to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, where his emergency surgery was performed.

The Cincinnati native came into Saturday’s showdown at Memorial Stadium leading the nation in yards receiving per game at 144.3 and was receiving increasing interest from NFL scouts.

Hoke rushed to his player’s side Saturday, cutting his postgame press conference short. IU coach Bill Lynch and his wife, Linda, joined Hoke at the hospital.

Lynch’s son, Joey, played football with Love at Ball State.