A terrifying scene unfolded at the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl on Friday as Rice defensive back Daveon Hook sustained a serious injury that halted play for nearly 20 minutes. The incident occurred during the second half of the Owls’ matchup against Air Force, leaving players and fans in stunned silence.
The injury took place with just under 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. While covering a play, Hook appeared to collide awkwardly with a teammate/opponent (specifics of collision if noted in text, otherwise “went down awkwardly”). Medical personnel rushed to the field immediately, stabilizing Hook on the turf for an extended period.
The gravity of the situation was felt throughout the stadium. As paramedics attended to the senior cornerback, the entire Rice roster cleared the bench to kneel in prayer near the hash marks, with the Air Force squad joining them in a show of solidarity. Hook was eventually immobilized on a backboard and loaded onto a cart.
In a promising sign amidst the scary circumstances, Hook was reportedly conscious and able to give a “thumbs up” to the crowd as he was wheeled off the field, drawing a rousing ovation from fans of both teams. He was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.
The game eventually resumed, but the mood had visibly shifted. Hook, a key contributor for the Owls, has been a standout player in their secondary. Updates regarding his specific diagnosis have not yet been released by the university or medical staff.
