FSU'S Receiver Shaw Crushed In Florida State vs. Oklahoma Game

By:  J.E. Miller

Rule Number One:  If your team plays Oklahoma, be prepared to be punished.

In the September 18, 2011, FSU vs. Oklahoma college football game (84,392, the largest attendance in FSU history), FSU receiver Kenny Shaw was crushed between two Oklahoma defenders as he caught a pass in FSU's end zone.  He was sandwiched between two flying Oklahoma players just as the ball reached his chest.  The blow dislodged the ball from his hands and knocked Shaw unconscious.  While minutes passed before stunned fans, medical personnel surrounded Shaw.  When he regained consciousness, they moved him and carried him directly to a local hospital.

Amazingly, Shaw later made an appearance on the sidelines toward the end of the final quarter of play.  Although he was not dressed out to play, his presence was welcomed as his teammates and FSU fans took a giant sigh of relief.  

Seemingly, parents, grandparents, siblings, and other relatives of college and professional football players must lose sleep at night.  How can they witness a player being smashed, banged, abused, and mangled day after day in High Definition?  The nightmare would be to watch a loved one or teammate motionless on the turf of a stadium, all while the slow motion video repeatedly replays the crushing blow from multiple camera angles.  To make the incident even worse, the broadcasters are exclaiming:  "Can you believe it?"  "That was the worst hit that I've witness in my lifetime!"  "He's not getting up, oh my gosh, he's not moving!"

Without multiple Florida State injuries, the Noles may have been victorious.  Of course, part of the entertainment and post-game day analysis is always the "what if?"  Without question, Florida State showed up and played competitively throughout most of the game.  But, Oklahoma scored first by plowing its way down the field and then proceeded to pick apart the FSU starters one player at a time - even injuring FSU's starting quarterback E.J. Manuel.  In the end, FSU's injuries and Oklahoma's persistent resulted in the win for Oklahoma.  Without question, Oklahoma played a solid game, for which the team and coaches should be proud.  Nevertheless, FSU should consider the game a test on many different levels.  For one, it showed the nation that FSU's defense is fearless and productive and Trickett, as the back-up quarterback, has some talent that will be honed over the next several seasons.

Florida State may be proud of its performance, but its players will be nursing these wounds for weeks to come.

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