UNC announces Tez Walker 'doing better,' released from hospital after scary hit vs. Georgia Tech
Toward the end of North Carolina‘s loss to Georgia Tech, the Tar Heels were trying to quickly score. However, their drive ended when Tez Walker took a massive hit and fumbled the ball. On that hit, Walker also suffered a scary injury.
Walker stayed on the ground for several minutes with many teammates seemingly emotional on the field around him. During that time, the UNC medical training staff was working quickly to try and check what was wrong. The hit itself, which Walker never saw coming, was to his torso.
Following the game, it was reported that Tez Walker needed to go to an area hospital for further testing on his injury. Luckily, UNC has since announced that Walker was released from the hospital and will fly home on Sunday.
“Tez is doing better, has been released from the hospital, and is flying back to Chapel Hill this morning,” UNC announced.
The exact nature of Walker’s injury is still unclear. However, it’s excellent that he’s healthy enough to fly back to campus after the scary hit.
In four games this season, Tez Walker has been a star for North Carolina, snagging 26 receptions for 391 yards and four touchdowns. Those are massive numbers in just a short period of time and an emotional roller coaster of a season for Walker and UNC.
After transferring from Kent State to North Carolina to be closer to his ailing grandmother, the NCAA denied Walker’s waiver to play right away because it was his second transfer. It was a highly unpopular decision by the NCAA that, in the face of backlash, the NCAA ultimately backed down from and announced he would be eligible to play midway through this season.
“It’s just a blessing,” Walker said of his return. “Just blessed to be out there. Had my teammates in my corner since I’ve been there it was the same thing since I’ve been here but on the field, helping me out and everything. So, just blessed.”
Tez Walker excited his grandmother got to watch him play football
One of the most important reasons why Tez Walker transferred to North Carolina was to be closer to home. That was, his ailing grandmother who is incredibly important to him, could more easily watch him play football. Once that happened, he shared how excited he was that she had the opportunity to watch him.
“It’s heartwarming that she finally got to see me play. She was never able to do that in high school … Just glad she’s able to now,” Walker said.
“I just felt blessed to be out there. My teammates have been in my corner since I arrived. Regardless if it’s on the field or off, my teammates are there for me. I’m truly blessed.”