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Wednesday, November 20, 2002

By Ed Bouchette, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

If it were put on film by Disney, the camera would zoom in on the famous neurologist, bending over the patient, a stethoscope dangling from the doctor's neck.

	Noted UPMC neurological surgeon Dr. Joseph Maroon: "[Tommy Maddox's] spinal cord is pristine in terms of its depiction on the MRI." (Robin Rombach, Post-Gazette) Steelers to use rookie kicker

"Mr. Maddox, you are a very lucky man."

That, in essence, was what Dr. Joseph Maroon, UPMC's renowned neurological surgeon, told a packed news conference that was televised live from the Steelers' press room yesterday.

Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox not only passed all his neurological tests, but they also showed not the slightest bit of damage or abnormality after he was temporarily paralyzed Sunday from a hit on the last play of the third quarter against the Titans in Nashville, Tenn.

"As far as I am concerned, he is back to a normal state after suffering both a cerebral and spinal concussion," Maroon said.

While Maroon stopped short of declaring when Maddox might return to play football, he said it is not unreasonable to think he will play again this season.

"On studying the film, there is absolutely no evidence of any spinal column or disc problem," Maroon said of the MRI. "The spinal cord is pristine in terms of its depiction on the MRI."

There also was no narrowing of the spinal column or stenosis. Even the IMPACT test Maroon pioneered to measure the effects on the brain of a concussion came back normal.

Maroon takes a baseline test of every player and, when there's a head injury, tests the player again to measure the reaction time, memory, orientation, processing speed of the brain and other symptoms. The test, which he first used with the Steelers, is conducted throughout the NFL, NHL, colleges and 250 high schools.

"I also should say that when doing these baseline studies, it is interesting to say that Tommy scored among the highest out of over 5,000 athletes that we tested, in terms of reaction time and his processing of information," Maroon said.

"Maybe this came from Arena Football, too."

More important, the follow-up test they conducted yesterday was just as high.

"Absolutely, perfectly normal," Maroon said. "His brain function has returned to a normal state within 48 hours of a significant blow to the head.

"In conclusion, in a very thorough neurological examination involving his motor-sensory reflex senses, his anatomical and physiological and clinical examinations are all perfectly normal."

Maroon said he has seen only three other athletes lose all the feelings in their hands and legs without any damage to their spinal cord. It is so rare he reported one incident in a medical journal.

He went over everything with Maddox Monday night and said the Steelers' quarterback did not talk about when he might return to play.

"I think he still needs additional amounts of time to see how he is going to do over the next couple of days or weeks or so," Maroon said. "We will re-evaluate him over the next couple of days."

Maroon acknowledged there could be psychological side effects to such a trauma -- such as whether someone who went through it earnestly wants to play again.

"If you are lying on a football field unable to feel your arms and legs and are unable to move, I can't imagine a more frightening experience. I have seen this in quite a few athletes, and they haven't returned to function. There is a major psychological factor, and he needs to consider this as well, but this is his decision."

It was Maroon's opinion that the injury does not make Maddox more susceptible to such injuries in the future.

"I will be very candid with you," Maroon said. "It is amazing to me that we don't see this every game. When I looked at the replays of the hit, it wasn't any more violent or severe than any of the other hundreds of hits that we see in an average game."

Coach Bill Cowher would not speculate on whether Maddox will return as the starting quarterback when he's ready to resume playing.

"At this point," Cowher said, "I think we have to look at Tommy's health."

NOTES -- Jerome Bettis might start for the first time in five games Sunday with Amos Zereoue returning to his role as a third-down back and in relief of Bettis. "We will see how we work through the week," Cowher said. ... Charlie Batch moves up to No. 2 quarterback behind Kordell Stewart, and rookie receiver Antwaan Randle El will serve as the emergency No. 3 quarterback and also take some snaps with the scout team in practice. ... The Steelers made a change to their practice squad. They released wide receiver Francis St. Paul and signed center Matt Anderson.