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ATLANTA Nate Irving said he doesn't remember anything about the crash that ended his junior football season.
Irving stood in front of a throng of reporters at N.C. State's Murphy Center office complex Thursday to announce that he won't play football this season because of injuries suffered in a June 28 car crash.
He remembers leaving his parents' house in Wallace, near Wilmington and waking up in the hospital, but nothing in between. The state highway patrol account shows that driving while sleepy may have contributed to the single-vehicle crash at about 4:40 a.m. in Johnston County.
After looking at photos of his wrecked vehicle, Irving said, he felt fortunate to be alive.
“I would say I'm pretty blessed to make it out of the accident that I made it out of,” said Irving, who plays linebacker. “ To be able to have a chance to play football again down the road is another blessing, so I don't have any complaints.”
Irving's meeting with a doctor Thursday confirmed what he already had feared. He is walking now, but the compound fracture of his leg was a severe injury. He also suffered other serious injuries – a broken rib, collapsed lung and separated shoulder.
According to coach Tom O'Brien, the doctor told Irving it would be best if he takes the entire season to heal.
While describing N.C. State's background check on Michael Lemon, O'Brien explained the history of the defensive end who is expected to begin practice with the Wolfpack today.
Lemon, a defensive end, was dismissed from the Georgia football team in July of 2008 after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges of battery, disorderly conduct and public intoxication.
O'Brien said Lemon had been through extremely difficult times. He described how Lemon's mother was killed, her home was set ablaze, and Lemon's younger brother was rescued from the flames.
“(Michael Lemon) had some issues at that point and was trying to grow up, and made a mistake,” O'Brien said. “But ... it's a one-time thing and we're very satisfied he'll be a great student here at N.C. State.”
Elsewhere
NORTH CAROLINA: The Tar Heels' depth on the offensive line took another hit when offensive tackle Carl Gaskins tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the morning practice.
Team spokesman Kevin Best announced Thursday that Gaskins, a sophomore who was competing for playing time at left tackle, is out for the season. Gaskins played in five games last season and was listed as a backup to senior Kyle Jolly.
Senior H-back Ryan Taylor also suffered a knee injury, although it wasn't considered to be quite as serious. Taylor sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee and is expected to miss about one month.
Taylor was listed as the starting H-back on the preseason depth chart and has been one of the team's most versatile players. He played mostly as a reserve linebacker last season and was a standout on special teams. Last season, he shared special teams captain honors with Matt Merletti.
North Carolina running back Anthony Elzy is due in court on Aug. 24 for a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge, according to Orange County court records.
Elzy, the second-team fullback, was charged on May 22 for possessing less than half of an ounce of marijuana.
The junior from Warren, Ohio, has already been disciplined by Tar Heels coach Butch Davis, according to a team spokesman.
J.P. Giglio contributed
