Willis McGahee Undergoes Successful Knee Surgery
Jan. 5, 2003
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – University of Miami sophomore tailback Willis McGahee underwent successful surgery on his left knee Sunday at HealthSouth Doctors’ Hospital in Coral Gables. University of Miami Team Physician and Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. John Uribe performed the surgery.
McGahee was injured early in the fourth quarter of Miami’s loss to Ohio State in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on Friday night, January 3, in Tempe, Arizona. While declaring the surgery a successful one, Uribe declined to set a timetable for McGahee’s recovery and return to football activity.
“The surgery went very well and Willis tolerated the procedure very well,” Uribe said. “If nature does its job and his rehabilitation goes well, he should be able to make a full recovery.”
“We’re certainly devastated and disappointed about Willis’s injury, but we know what kind of person he is and we’re sure he’ll come back from this,” said UM head football coach Larry Coker. “The most important thing is for Willis is to be healthy in life, not just for football. We know the kind of worker that Willis is, and our staff will work closely with him to make sure he makes a complete recovery.”
McGahee’s 2002 season was the best ever by a Miami running back. He set Miami single-season records for rushing yards (1,753 yards), rushing attempts (282), rushing touchdowns (28), total touchdowns (28), points scored (168), all-purpose yards (2,108), and 100-yard rushing performances (10) and a Miami single-game record for touchdowns scored with six (vs. Virginia Tech on Dec. 7).
McGahee’s 28 rushing touchdowns led the nation. McGahee ranked fourth nationally in rushing average (134.9 ypg), second in scoring (12.92 ppg) and eighth in all-purpose yardage average (162.15 ypg). A four-time BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week, McGahee shared the league’s Conference Offensive Player of the Year honor with UM quarterback Ken Dorsey. McGahee earned Consensus First Team All-America honors in addition to unanimous First Team All-BIG EAST honors.
