GoGamecocks.com
Heart episode hospitalizes King
Tackle is expected to practice today
Written by JOSEPH PERSON
jperson@thestate.com
Posted on 09.24.08
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survey:
USC starting left tackle Jarriel King is expected to return to practice today after being hospitalized Tuesday with what Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier described as a “heart flutter.”
It was the second time in three weeks the 21-year-old King has experienced a heart episode.
While at Georgia Military College, the 6-foot-7, 285-pound King was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat and cardiac ischemia, a condition that prevents the heart from receiving an adequate flow of oxygenated blood.
King was transported by ambulance from Williams-Brice Stadium on Tuesday morning to Palmetto Health Richland, where he remained in good condition late Tuesday afternoon, according to a hospital spokeswoman.
“He was down there in the weight room and had a little irregular heartbeat, which he’s had before,” Spurrier said. “They say with the medicine he’s fine. Either he didn’t take his medicine, or they need to change his medicine. It was something like that.”
In an interview with The State in January, King said he quit taking his heart medication because it made him tired. However, after undergoing a physical and heart exam when he arrived at USC in August, King said he had gone back on the prescribed drugs.
King, who has started two of USC’s first four games, should be able to play Saturday against Alabama-Birmingham, according to Spurrier.
“I worry about (King’s health), but the doctors either approve him or don’t approve him. So it’s not in my hands. Doctors tell me whether he can play or not,” Spurrier said. “If they thought it was serious, they would not allow him to play.”
Reach Person at (803) 771-8496.
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