Rob Long
/ photo: SU Athletics
SYRACUSE -- Syracuse University senior punter Rob Long prepares for surgery to remove a benign brain tumor he wants to express his gratitude to all of the well-wishers who have supported him during the past week.
“My family and I would like to thank everyone for their supportive thoughts and prayers in the past week. We are staying positive and focused on a favorable outcome to surgery, which will take place on Tuesday, December 14 in Philadelphia. The outpouring of support has been overwhelming. I am grateful for everyone in the Syracuse community and the Orange football family” said long in a statement Friday.
Courtesy: SU Athletics
Original Story:
Senior punter Rob Long of Syracuse will undergo immediate surgery to remove a benign brain tumor and won't play for the Orange in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Long, a team captain, notified the Syracuse sports medicine staff that he had been experiencing headaches for the past several weeks. An MRI performed Thursday revealed the tumor.
Long finishes his Syracuse career ranked second on the school's career punting average list at 43.3 yards per punt. That ranks ninth among active punters in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
This season, Long averaged 43.8 yards, second in the Big East Conference behind Pittsburgh's Dan Hutchins and third on Syracuse's single-season record list.
Head coach Doug Marrone and the team's captains conducted a press conference on Friday after Syracuse was selected to play in the bowl game at Yankee Stadium on Dec. 30. Long was not present.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
