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Bulls' Mompremier Targets Return

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By BRETT McMURPHY

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 30, 2008

TAMPA - University of South Florida linebacker Brouce Mompremier said he remembers everything about his frightening collision with teammate Carlton Williams.

He remembers not being able to feel his arms or legs and only being able to lift his neck.

He remembers thinking he was paralyzed.

Mostly, he remembers the panic.

"I was screaming 'I can't feel my legs! I can't feel my legs!,'" Mompremier said Monday. "They tried to get me calmed down and breathe, but it's hard to do when you can't feel your lower body."

On Sept. 20 at Florida International, Mompremier's helmet collided with Williams' hip while trying to make a tackle. "I remember everything," he said. "Falling down it felt like I was taking forever to hit the ground. When I hit the ground I couldn't feel it. It felt like I was landing on pillows out there.

"I tried to get up, but the only thing I could move was my neck. It was very terrifying. My mind was really racing. That's when I started panicking."

Mompremier said "miraculously" the injury puts him "at no more risk than any other guy out there playing to be paralyzed. Basically my return is going to be a mental thing."

And Mompremier said he will return. He's targeted the Syracuse game on Oct. 18. He will visit a spine specialist on Wednesday for more tests.

Mompremier said it was tough to watch from the sidelines of Saturday's win at N.C. State, but he was honored to be chosen as a senior captain for the game.

"They told me 'you're a captain,'" Mompremier said. "I thought 'How the hell? I'm hurt.'

"I'm glad to be out there with my team, I'm satisfied with that. I'm just grateful to be able to walk and have the option to play again."

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