|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Stanford senior quarterback T.C. Ostrander, a Menlo-Atherton High School graduate, attended classes on Monday, 24 hours after suffering a grand mal seizure on Sunday at Gordon Biersch in Palo Alto while watching the Buffalo Bills and former Cardinal quarterback Trent Edwards on television.
Ostrander was taken immediately to Stanford Hospital, where he underwent a series of tests, the results of which came back negative, but he won’t suit up against the Trojans for precautionary reasons.
“He was standing up and I heard his dad yell ‘T.C., T.C.,” said Stanford receiver Evan Moore, who was with Ostrander at the time of the incident. “When I turned around he was starting to fall. He slammed his head (cheek area) into a pole on the ground. I ran over there and he was in a full body seizure and bleeding from the mouth. It was tough to watch. I had trouble sleeping because I couldn’t get it out of my head.”
Risk factors for grand mal seizures include a family history of seizure disorders; any injury to the brain from trauma, stroke, previous infection and other causes; several medical problems that affect electrolytes; illicit drug use; and/or heavy alcohol use.
Ostrander was sacked seven times in a 41-3 loss to Arizona State last weekend. He will be re-evaluated next week before being released to play football again.
“His dad was cool,” Moore said. “There was a physician there who said keep doing what you’re doing — his dad cradled T.C.’s head — and just let it pass.”
The restaurant called ‘911’ and the ambulance arrived on the scene before Ostrander recovered full consciousness.
Moore spoke with Ostrander later on Sunday, after his release from the hospital.
“He said he didn’t remember it,” Moore said. “I’ve never seen that happen before. It’s a scary looking thing. Talking to him was very relieving.”
Sophomore Tavita Pritchard, who has attempted three passes in his career, will start against the Trojans.
“You hate to have your opportunity come like this,” Pritchard said. “It’s not something you want to see. At the same time, I’ve been preparing my whole life for this <0x2014> to play at the Pac-10 level.”
Stanford offensive guard Alex Fletcher said Ostrander will be missed.
“He’s our senior offensive captain. He has a good grasp of the offense. It will be a big loss,” Fletcher said.
Ostrander’s setback comes on the heels of a career-ending injury to linebacker Fred Campbell, and a season-ending injury to offensive lineman Allen Smith the past two weeks.
Against the top-ranked Trojans, Stanford will be without its starting quarterback, its starting halfback, a starting offensive lineman, a starting cornerback and a starting defensive lineman.
On Pritchard starting Saturday, Harbaugh said: “I think he’ll respond well. He has excellent arm speed. He’s a competitive, mobile guy, and he has a cool head. We’ll try to take advantage of what Tavita does well.”
