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USC football: The Vidal Hazelton mystery continues
October 16th, 2008, 10:43 pm · 6 Comments · posted by Adam Maya, staff writer since 2006
Vidal Hazelton might not play Saturday. The better question might be if the USC junior receiver should play again this season.
Hazelton missed practice Thursday because he suffered a concussion during Wednesday’s practice on a helmet-to-helmet collision with linebacker Luthur Brown.
He said he met with a specialist Thursday night and will be reexamined Friday to find out if he is cleared for Washington State.
“Everything was cloudy,” is how he described feeling Wednesday after the hit.
The truth behind other Hazelton injuries has proven to be cloudier.
A letter surfaced online recently from Vidal’s father, Dexter Hazelton, questioning how his son was treated for injuries sustained against Virginia on Aug. 30. The letter is dated Sept. 1 and is addressed to Coach Pete Carroll.
Dexter was emailed a copy of the letter Thursday night and confirmed its authenticity. (The letter is posted at this link.)
“It was the letter I wrote to Coach Carroll,” said Dexter, a system administrator at New York University, by phone. “I don’t know how it got out.”
Vidal said he did not know about the letter, in which his father writes Vidal had yet to receive X-rays or treatment, other than a boot, for a sprained ankle and thigh contusion as of 3:30 p.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 1, even though USC returned to Los Angeles the night of the game.
“I asked Vidal if he’d been treated and he said, ‘No,’” Dexter said, adding that Vidal told him the training room was closed Monday.
Dexter said he got a call from Carroll soon after he sent the letter.
“He responded immediately,” Dexter said, adding that Vidal was able to get into the training room moments later.
When asked about the letter, Carroll said, “I think I remember a letter coming from Dexter, but I don’t remember what it was about at this time. We’ve communicated quite a bit.”
Carroll repeatedly declined to comment on specifics of the letter in question.
“I’m not going to comment on it,” he said. “I’m not going to talk about it. This sounds too personal for me to comment on.”
For Dexter, it was another perplexing incident at USC involving his son. Vidal played the entire 2007 season with a double hernia that was suffered sometime in his freshman season in 2006, which Dexter writes in the letter was “misdiagnosed.”
“He kept complaining about it,” Dexter said of Vidal, in regards to the 2007 season. “It’s something (the USC medical staff) totally missed. They didn’t know what’s going on.”
Vidal began the season as one of two starting receivers but is now a reserve. Vidal, who injured his other ankle against Oregon State and asked to redshirt two weeks ago, said he has suited up the past two weekends but has not participated because the ankle injury he suffered against Virginia is still bothering him. He said whether or not he is cleared this week he does not expect to redshirt.
“I’m not even thinking about that any more,” said Hazelton, who has dressed the past two games but has not played. “No answer’s been set so I don’t think the coaches would want me to.”
The latter comment is what angers his father.
“It’s still bothering him,” Dexter says of Vidal’s original ankle injury. “The kid is taking pills everyday to play. I’m not blaming Coach Carroll but I have to look out for my son. I think he’s been pushed to play.”
Newlyn Hazelton, Hazelton’s grandmother and Dexter’s mother, attended Thursday’s practice and said USC has not mishandled her grandson’s injuries.
“The coaches are very good to us,” she said. “There’s no confusion. They made sure he got his treatment and everything’s fine.
“My son is drama. I don’t know what he’s talking about.”
Dexter said Vidal has told him he cannot cut as he normally would because of the torn ligaments in his foot.
“I hear things back and forth from these coaches, saying that he’s faking injuries,” Dexter said. “(Offensive coordinator Steve) Sarkisian’s been saying that it’s a mystery to him. I don’t care what the coaches think. I recommended he redshirt.
“He wants to play. That’s just how he is.”
Click here for all USC blog posts.
Contact the writer: amaya@ocregister.com
6 Comments
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I could see the coming. Dexter was a piece of work during Vidal’s recruiting process. It’s sad to see this guy interfere with his development as a player and more importantly as a man.
I really think Dexter (Vidal’s father) is not on the same page as Vidal’s mother and grandmother. Of course, Dexter, is about 4,000 miles away.
Dexter was going to be a problem the moment Vidal sent in his Letter of Intent to USC. Dexter stopped that letter by saying Vidal was under age and therefore unable to sign on his own. Then Dexter went about trying to find another college for Vidal to go to. Dexter made it as obvious as water is wet that he did not want Vidal going to USC.
After Dexter did everything he could, Vidal decided to go to USC with his mother’s help (getting by Dexter).
There are several reason why Vidal is not playing, but not being medically cared for is not one of them. USC has one of the finest hospital care facilities in the nation, and the world. If a player blinks he gets an MRI. The USC orthopedics, heart, major trauma, and neurocare is some of the finest in the world. So don’t fret Dexter - that has nothing to do with Vidal not playing.
As a father, myself, I can only say that Dexter must cut the cord and let him grow. If he needs your help, he will ask for it. Having letters “released” over the WEB is foolish and it is very embarrassing for Dexter’s son and Dexter should understand that.
Could this be “NFL Panic” by Dexter? That’s my guess.
The “finest hospital care facilities in the nation, and the world” misdiagnosed a double hernia??
Wow, glad I’m nowhere near that facility.
Let’s take it outside of Pete Carroll’s world for a minute! It’s all political at SC. Look at Lane Kiffin and the ties to Pete Carroll. Monte Kiffin gave Pete his first job. Kiffin is not that great of a coach. Look at Brendan Carroll, he got hooked up by his dad. It’s all in the family dude. I think USC is a great program but not for everyone. Would you agree that if any WR that commits to USC will have to SHARE the ball with other 5 star players dude? USC has over 23 receivers dude?? they had to move the WRs to a bigger meeting room dude? Am I telling tales dude? Let’s keep it real dude. I can go on dude. Would you agree that Pete Carroll is looking out for the interest of USC dude? Would agree that Pete Carroll got fired from his NFL jobs because he wasn’t competitive enough for the NFL dude? Would you agree that Pete is better suited for College than the NFL dude? Would you agree like Pete Carroll that all recruits should make a decision on what’s best for their career dude? Would you agree that you could get drafted from other programs besides USC dude? Would you agree that players like Allen Bradford, Travon Patterson, Broderick Green and a number of other player can be utilized better by other programs and acheive their goals dude? Why are they sitting on the bench dude? I don’t think these kids bargained for this dude? Do think Pete Carroll will ever go to the next highest level of competition dude? Think not!! dude? Did you know that BC calls recruits and butters them up up for the Pete Carrol kill dude? Did you know that Pete Carroll uses the line “USC is not for everyone dude as a dare tactic dude? “You will compete against the best players in the country” “Are you afraid of competition” He plays on their emotions dude! You really don’t know the man dude. I give him credit because he does the job VERY well dude. He is the best dude. These kids need to look at this as a business dude. The same way Pete Carroll does dude. That all i’m saying dude. When these kids go on their official visits they are alligned with Star Players to boost Pete’s agenda dude. do you think he will set them up with kids that are not playing dude? Hell no. let’s face it. This is a business and everyone is looking out for their own interest dude. recruitsl like the one below especially the WRs like Shaquelle Evans, Alshon Jeffrey, Devon Flournoy, Randall Carroll dude. Should take a closer look at USC. If you don’t mind SHARING the ball with a zillion receivers then go to USC dude. Are you guys drinking something dude? or I know what it is! It’s the girls dude? Don’t let your little head rule your big head dude!! If you want to get lots of REPS then go to a program that NEEDS you dude. If you noticed I am not endorsing any other program dude. recruits need to make that decision on their own dude. I’m just stating the facts dude. Once you sign you letter of intent dude. The courting stops dude. You now belong to Pete Carrol dude. Ask players like Allen B, Broderick Green, Marc Tyler, Mitch Mustain, Vidal Hazelton how they feel now dude. When all is said and done and the competition is over dude. It all boils down to the Coaches opinion who starts dude. Sounds like Russian Rule to me dude. Tr
I know you love Pete and you will protect pete dude. Because you are down with him but the truth is the truth dude. Next time Pete pitches the competition thing. Ask him why he won’t compete in the NFL dude? Pete aint stupid dude. He has already made a decision that fits him well dude. but he is telling you come to SC and compete dude. Come on dude. Afraid of a little lyrical competition dude? Competition WHAT??? dude. I dare you PETE CARROLL!!! come to the NFL dude!! and be competitive dude. Practice what you preach to the 5 star recruits!!!! dude CAN YOU DIGGG IT DUDE. Good luck Recruits and I hope the systems man don’t accidently delete my post again dude. Don’t piss me off dude. I can unleash a lot more stuff and have the fans really holding their stomach dude. Stay tuned dude!!! Go TROJANS
Dude:
You used the word “dude” 61 times. Extraordinary!
The “Dude” guy sounds like someone who still lives in his parent’s basement. If not, just his lack of control with the word “dude” should make what he says suspect.
The USC Medical facilities and treatment I mentioned are, in fact, considered to be some of the finest in the nation and indeed the world.
Officers within the LAPD make sure there is an understanding when working with someone for the first time. If they are seriously injured and cannot respond, they are to be taken to the USC Medical Center Trauma Ward. They are by far, the most experienced and best equipped medical center in Los Angeles.
There are great medical centers in LA , UCLA, etc., but if you are on the line - take me to USCMC. Been there, done that, plenty of times. I speak with a little over 30 years of experience. How much do you have?