Posted on: Thursday, March 15, 2001
Jones home, might take in final UH scrimmage
| • | Support hastened Jones' swift recovery |
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
|
| UH football coach June Jones, injured in a Feb. 22 car crash, walked out of the hospital Tuesday without assistance, family spokesman Artie Wilson said.
Advertiser library photo |
University of Hawai'i football coach June Jones' rapid recovery from last month's single-car accident has sparked optimism that Jones will be able to attend the team's spring football scrimmage, March 25, at Cooke Field.
A school official said it was hoped that Jones, who was released from The Queen's Medical Center Tuesday, will attend the festivities surrounding the final workout of this spring football practice.
But family spokesman Artie Wilson said it is too early to tell, and a lot will depend on how Jones feels next week.
On Feb. 22, Jones was admitted to Queen's with internal bleeding and head, chest and elbow injuries suffered in an accident on the H-1 Freeway near the Honolulu International Airport. He underwent two two-hour surgeries that day.
The media were not notified about Jones' release until late Tuesday night.
"He planned a quiet discharge," Wilson said. "I think he even caught some of the hospital staff by surprise. He didn't want the hospital to become a media frenzy, where people in real need of help would be bothered or have to get out of the way of somebody with a tape recorder."
Jones has been unavailable for comment to the media since being hospitalized. A woman answering the telephone at Jones' house yesterday morning confirmed that he was resting at home. But, she added, "We're not really talking right now."
Wilson said Jones can "walk and talk, eat and drink, and go to the bathroom." Wilson said Jones walked out of the hospital without assistance.
UH associate head coach George Lumpkin, who is overseeing the team's spring practices, said Jones has a stiff neck and is "still real sore."
Wilson said Jones' body is "sore, but every day it's getting less sore."
Lumpkin said he speaks with Jones daily, and that Jones is fully updated on the team's progress.
"With the kind of will he has, it's not surprising" Jones is recovering quickly, Lumpkin said. "He's a very strong-willed individual. God blessed him. . . . He's a miracle in the making."
Said quarterback Tim Chang: "It's a good sign he gets to be home. . . . Now that he's home, we hope he can get out here (on the practice field). We really need him and miss him. He's the reason I came (to UH)."
Said safety Jacob Espiau: "it's inspiring that he can come out (of the hospital) that fast. I'll be happy when he can come out here. That will be an inspiration to the whole team."
