Southern Miss' Nix Out For Bowl Game
12/20/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Southern Miss' Nix Out For Bowl Game
Hattiesburg, Miss. - Southern Miss Head Coach Jeff Bower announced today that running back Derrick Nix underwent a second renal biopsy that was studied by Dr. David Warnock of The UAB Medical Center in Birmingham, Ala.
Dr. Warnock has reported to Southern Miss team physicians that the biopsy revealed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (a generally not treatable progressive kidney condition), which bodes a more severe medical condition than the membranous nephropathy, which had been previously evidenced on the biopsy done at Forrest General Hospital almost two years ago.
"Focal sclerosis was present on his first biopsy two years ago, but in a very small amount, and this has likely been a progression of that disease over the last two years," indicates Dr. Jon Thornton, a nephrologist who has been treating Nix.
Nix is expected to be released from UAB medical center on Saturday, with hopes of being in attendance at the Houston Bowl on Dec. 27, and his condition will be monitored here in Hattiesburg.
?We all feel so bad for Derrick," Bower said. "I?m almost at a loss for words. I?ve just never had a kid who has battled as hard as he has, who has done everything right, worked as hard as he has and been the model student-athlete.
?I guess you can say he?s fighting for his life, and all we can do is support him. We?ll do that every way we can, say our prayers for him, and hope for the best.
?A situation such as this really gives you a new realization of just how unimportant the game itself is at times. Here?s a guy who, after three games, was a possible first round NFL draft pick. He is a guy who played with courage and was just never completely healthy. Now, we find out just what he pushed through, and just how tough he really is. I?ve just got so much admiration for him, for what he has meant to this team, and how he has handled himself in the face of this adversity.
?It just always seems that the ones who get challenged are the ones who are the toughest, the ones with the greatest character, who can fight and battle through the adversity and have the courage to do it. He?s been challenged and I have no doubt that he will overcome this.?