The Miami Hurricanes were dealt a big blow in a very scary moment as star safety Kam Kinchens went down after an ugly-looking hit. Reports indicate that he appears to be stable and awake, but was placed on a backboard and carted off.
Kam Kinchens still down now with the cart and backboard coming out. Lots of concern from UM players and staff as they surround him on field. pic.twitter.com/NMoYNmuItF
— Will Manso (@WillManso) September 9, 2023
Kinchens' day was off to a great start before the injury, as he had intercepted Texas A&M quarterback Connor Weigman, and had Miami in position to pull off the minor upset of the ranked Aggies- which they did, by a score of 48-33. It was the Hurricanes' first victory against an SEC opponent since 2013, when they beat the #12 Florida Gators, but all celebrations were dampened, if not completely muted, out of concern for Kinchens' well-being.
After a pause, throughout which players of both teams knelt on the field and quietly supported the Miami safety, the game continued on after Kinchens went down, and he is reported to be off to the Ryder Trauma Center for overnight observation out of an abundance of caution. His football future is in question, but his personal health and safety have to be the first priorities.
It's an all-too-familiar scene for football fans in Miami, who have watched Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa go through some similarly concerning hits and head injuries over the past year. That being said, Tagovailoa persevered and is back on the field; fans of Miami and the game in general will certainly be hoping the same for Kinchens sooner rather than later.
Kinchens racked up six interceptions and a touchdown in an all-American sophomore season and was primed to be one of the best defenders in the country this year. The entire football world is pulling for him to make a full recovery and if he's able to do so safely, pick up right where he left off and dominate the game for years to come.
