Injured Football Player Gives “Thumbs Down” While Carted Off Field
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Every football player knows they are risking bodily harm when they step onto the football field. For Minnesota State junior Jumanjo Jones, that risk became a reality last Saturday afternoon.
Jones laid motionless on the field in the third quarter of Saturday’s Division II playoff game at the Metrodome. The senior wide receiver landed awkwardly after celebrating a routine first down during his team’s lopsided 47-10 loss.
“That was a big catch,” Jones said. “It got us across the fifty yard line for the first time.”
Jones was stabilized by the Minnesota State medical staff and strapped to a gurney. As he was being loaded into the back of an ambulance, Jones surprised fans by giving them a “thumbs down.”
When asked about his unusual signal, Jones said, “Why would I give a thumbs up? I really jacked my neck on that backflip, and I couldn’t feel my legs. Plus, I think I wet myself. That ain’t good.”
Jones is expected to make a full recovery and plans to rejoin his dance crew this spring.
“I like football, but I love dancing. Plus, there’s less chance of injury,” Jones joked.
When it was pointed out to Jones that he suffered his injury while trying to dance and not from football contact, Jones pretended to slip in to a coma.
