Nebraska RB Marlon Lucky hospitalized

**Bugeater** · 02-13-2007, 03:52 AM

Late word is that it was an overdose.

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pag...&u_sid=2330187

Published Monday | February 12, 2007
Nebraska I-back Marlon Lucky hospitalized
BY MITCH SHERMAN AND RICH KAIPUST
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

LINCOLN - Nebraska I-back Marlon Lucky remained hospitalized Monday night after police and fire personnel responded to a weekend medical emergency at his residence.

Nebraska I-back Marlon LuckyOfficials have not disclosed the nature of the emergency, but Lucky's high school coach and roommate said the 20-year sophomore was in stable condition in an intensive-care unit.

Lucky was admitted to BryanLGH West hospital Sunday night for "undisclosed medical reasons," according to the NU athletic department. A release said coach Bill Callahan and other department personnel would not comment further.

Lucky came to Nebraska in 2005 out of North Hollywood, Calif., as one of the most heralded recruits ever to sign with the school. After playing a minor role in his first season, he emerged as the Huskers' second-leading rusher and earned honorable-mention All-Big 12 honors last fall in a part-time starting spot.

Still, Lucky has rarely appeared comfortable in the spotlight. He struggled to accept his role on the team as recently as last month, North Hollywood coach Brad Ratcliff said.

On Sunday, Lincoln police and firefighters were dispatched at 8 p.m. to an apartment shared by Lucky and fellow Californian Jordan Picou near Capitol Beach Lake, west of downtown.

A fire engine was at the residence for 20 minutes, Deputy Fire Chief Pat Borer said, and an ambulance was involved for about an hour, typical when patients are transported to a hospital.

Picou said Monday night that hospital staff would not allow him to visit Lucky.

"He's cool right now," Picou said of Lucky as the junior lineman returned to their apartment. "They're just making sure his organs are OK."

Suzanne McMasters, director of public relations for BryanLGH, declined to release Lucky's condition.

Ratcliff, for whom Lucky gained more than 4,800 rushing yards and scored 81 touchdowns in three seasons of high school football, said he had been notified of Lucky's condition but declined to comment on the specifics.

"I want to give his family some room and some privacy," the coach said.

A family friend said Lucky's guardian, Wayne Padden, and uncle, Stanley Joseph, were unavailable Monday. The NU release asked news media to "respect the privacy of Marlon and his family."

Lucky's college career, to date, has not matched the enormous expectations that followed him to Lincoln. He rushed for 129 yards as a true freshman and did not score a touchdown.

Last season, Lucky gained 728 rushing yards to go with six touchdowns and ranked as the Huskers' fourth-leading receiver. But he lost the starting I-back position to Brandon Jackson midway through the season.

Lucky did start the Jan. 1 Cotton Bowl against Auburn and carried 25 times for a game-high 88 yards while battling a back injury.

After the season, Ratcliff said Lucky was unsure about his future but that his mood improved greatly after the start of Nebraska's winter conditioning program.

"The last time I talked to him, he was the same old Marlon," Ratcliff said. "No problems, nothing to worry about. That was just a few days ago."

Ratcliff said he had sensed some frustration from Lucky about his role in the Nebraska offense.

"He wanted to do more, but I don't think that played into this at all," Ratcliff said.

When asked to elaborate, again, the coach retreated.

"I'm not at liberty to say anything," he said.

Callahan last week spoke optimistically about Lucky, the Huskers' top returning back after Jackson last month declared for the NFL draft and both Cody Glenn and Kenny Wilson headed into the offseason with injury problems.

"He's worked extremely hard," Callahan said at his signing day press conference. "He's challenged himself. I've had some great conversations with him. I think the world of Marlon Lucky. I think you guys know that."

There had been January rumors, however, of Lucky leaving the program.

Said Padden, Lucky's guardian, at the time: "It would be news to me. I don't know where these things come from or where they get started."

Lucky's position coach, Randy Jordan, was among those to decline comment on the situation. The NU assistant faced the task last season of finding work for four I-backs.

Former Nebraska assistant John Blake did not return a call to his cell phone Monday after visiting BryanLGH West. Blake, who left NU for North Carolina in December, was instrumental in recruiting Lucky and the two stayed close during their time together in Lincoln.

02-13-2007, 03:52 AM	Topic Starter
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6232680	Nebraska RB Marlon Lucky hospitalized Late word is that it was an overdose. http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pag...&u_sid=2330187 Published Monday \| February 12, 2007 Nebraska I-back Marlon Lucky hospitalized BY MITCH SHERMAN AND RICH KAIPUST WORLD-HERALD BUREAU LINCOLN - Nebraska I-back Marlon Lucky remained hospitalized Monday night after police and fire personnel responded to a weekend medical emergency at his residence. Nebraska I-back Marlon LuckyOfficials have not disclosed the nature of the emergency, but Lucky's high school coach and roommate said the 20-year sophomore was in stable condition in an intensive-care unit. Lucky was admitted to BryanLGH West hospital Sunday night for "undisclosed medical reasons," according to the NU athletic department. A release said coach Bill Callahan and other department personnel would not comment further. Lucky came to Nebraska in 2005 out of North Hollywood, Calif., as one of the most heralded recruits ever to sign with the school. After playing a minor role in his first season, he emerged as the Huskers' second-leading rusher and earned honorable-mention All-Big 12 honors last fall in a part-time starting spot. Still, Lucky has rarely appeared comfortable in the spotlight. He struggled to accept his role on the team as recently as last month, North Hollywood coach Brad Ratcliff said. On Sunday, Lincoln police and firefighters were dispatched at 8 p.m. to an apartment shared by Lucky and fellow Californian Jordan Picou near Capitol Beach Lake, west of downtown. A fire engine was at the residence for 20 minutes, Deputy Fire Chief Pat Borer said, and an ambulance was involved for about an hour, typical when patients are transported to a hospital. Picou said Monday night that hospital staff would not allow him to visit Lucky. "He's cool right now," Picou said of Lucky as the junior lineman returned to their apartment. "They're just making sure his organs are OK." Suzanne McMasters, director of public relations for BryanLGH, declined to release Lucky's condition. Ratcliff, for whom Lucky gained more than 4,800 rushing yards and scored 81 touchdowns in three seasons of high school football, said he had been notified of Lucky's condition but declined to comment on the specifics. "I want to give his family some room and some privacy," the coach said. A family friend said Lucky's guardian, Wayne Padden, and uncle, Stanley Joseph, were unavailable Monday. The NU release asked news media to "respect the privacy of Marlon and his family." Lucky's college career, to date, has not matched the enormous expectations that followed him to Lincoln. He rushed for 129 yards as a true freshman and did not score a touchdown. Last season, Lucky gained 728 rushing yards to go with six touchdowns and ranked as the Huskers' fourth-leading receiver. But he lost the starting I-back position to Brandon Jackson midway through the season. Lucky did start the Jan. 1 Cotton Bowl against Auburn and carried 25 times for a game-high 88 yards while battling a back injury. After the season, Ratcliff said Lucky was unsure about his future but that his mood improved greatly after the start of Nebraska's winter conditioning program. "The last time I talked to him, he was the same old Marlon," Ratcliff said. "No problems, nothing to worry about. That was just a few days ago." Ratcliff said he had sensed some frustration from Lucky about his role in the Nebraska offense. "He wanted to do more, but I don't think that played into this at all," Ratcliff said. When asked to elaborate, again, the coach retreated. "I'm not at liberty to say anything," he said. Callahan last week spoke optimistically about Lucky, the Huskers' top returning back after Jackson last month declared for the NFL draft and both Cody Glenn and Kenny Wilson headed into the offseason with injury problems. "He's worked extremely hard," Callahan said at his signing day press conference. "He's challenged himself. I've had some great conversations with him. I think the world of Marlon Lucky. I think you guys know that." There had been January rumors, however, of Lucky leaving the program. Said Padden, Lucky's guardian, at the time: "It would be news to me. I don't know where these things come from or where they get started." Lucky's position coach, Randy Jordan, was among those to decline comment on the situation. The NU assistant faced the task last season of finding work for four I-backs. Former Nebraska assistant John Blake did not return a call to his cell phone Monday after visiting BryanLGH West. Blake, who left NU for North Carolina in December, was instrumental in recruiting Lucky and the two stayed close during their time together in Lincoln.
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