Stafon Johnson is suing the University of Southern California. If you don't remember who Stafon Johnson is, in 2009 he was injured during a weight training accident. He was bench pressing 275 pounds when something occurred that caused him to drop the bar landing directly on his neck and throat. Unfortunately for him the neck is not designed to handle such an impact. He suffered injuries that have forever changed his voice. Practically only eliminating him from a telemarketer or career path.
Yesterday in Los Angles County Court he filed a lawsuit against coach Jamie Yanchar and the school for negligence resulting in the accident. Initial reports from the scene of the accident indicated that Johnson's hand slipped resulting in the accident. His lawyer has since refuted that saying that coach Yanchar was negligent in his actions and that the bar was actually knocked out of Johnson's hands causing it to strike his neck and throat.
So that's the back story...now what do I think of the whole situation? I think accidents happen. That accidents can happen even when there is no negligence involved. Only a hand full of people know exactly what happened in that weight room and everyone of them may tell a different story. The sue-happy nation that we have become is sad and scary. When accidents occur we are always looking to play the blame game, everyone's favorite sport in which there are no winners. The truth may never be known regarding this situation. Stafon may believe what happened was negligent.
He should have also considered suing sooner than 18 months later. If he truly felt that something was wrong he should have sued before his NFL career hit rough water. In his rookie season he was injured in a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks where his ankle was dislocated. He was put on waivers and eventually IR. A tough start to his NFL career. Johnson has a long history of injuries which is something a football players simply can't have. The sport is far too violent for frail individuals.
We may never know the truth of what happened in that weight room in September of 2009. But some 2 years later a judge will be forced to make a decision based on old recollection of what happened. I firmly believe that everyone in that weight room remembers what happened AFTER the accident. I doubt many know exactly how or why it occurred. Stay classy America, sue away.
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