Spinal Condition Ends Raymond’S WSU Career

Ryan Raymond’s football career is over.

Doctors discovered the Washington State University lineman’s spinal canal is half as wide as it should be. He also has two bulging disks. If he continued to play, Raymond would be risking paralysis.

“The average person has a spinal canal width of about 13-16 millimeters,” said WSU head athletic trainer Bill Drake, “but in Ryan’s case, it is about 8 millimeters.”

Reed Raymond, Ryan’s twin brother, had his career at Washington State end three weeks ago at California. Reed suffered a torn ACL and MCL. He is still planning a career at the professional level.

“It would seem these two outstanding young men are having the worst of bad luck right now,” said WSU coach Mike Price. “While I feel bad about Ryan not being able to play any more football, it is very important his health problem was discovered now, and for that I am thankful.”

Ryan’s condition was discovered after he complained of numbness in his legs following a hit against Arizona. At first it was thought to be a stinger, and even on Sunday, Ryan believed he would play this week.

But the numbness in the legs was a red flag for the trainers. An MRI and X-rays revealed the narrow spinal column and the bulging discs.

The Raymond twins were counted on to anchor the inexperienced WSU line this year. The brothers were the only seniors on the line.

Reed had 20 starts coming into the season. Ryan had six. Both were contributors on the Cougars’ Rose Bowl team in 1997.

Their absence leaves an already thin offensive line downright anorexic. Realistically, the Cougars have only six linemen available. Five of the six are sophomores and freshmen. The one junior, Joey Hollenbeck, just switched to offensive line last year.

Starting right tackle Phil Locker has also been held out of practice this week with a bad back. He should be ready to play by Saturday. Hollenbeck has been playing in Locker’s place this week in practice. Freshman Josh Parrish (6-6, 284) is now starting in Reed Raymond’s spot.

Freshman Billy Knotts (6-7, 275) will step into Ryan Raymond’s spot at left guard.

“Last week’s game really helped me out,” said Knotts. “Ryan went out early in last week, so I got a lot of reps there. That game was really intense. That game is going to help me out to come out and play like I can.

And Knotts certainly doesn’t lack enthusiasm or intensity as was evident by his extended fight with defensive end Isaac Brown on Wednesday. But, while all that is necessary, what is most important is that Knotts play up to the potential he has shown so far this season against a quick ASU Saturday.

“It’s not like the guy that is unproven and untested getting thrown out there,” said offensive line coach/offensive coordinator John McDonell. “Billy’s gone against (Stanford’s) Willie Howard, the Carter kid at Cal (Andre Carter) and against the D-linemen at Arizona. I think he is a proven Pac-10 offensive lineman.” The Cougars’ injury problems don’t end at the offensive line.

Senior defensive end Austin Matson has been held out of practice the past two days with an ankle and knee sprain. Matson is ambulatory and is listed as questionable. The Cougars have four other defensive ends to help spell Matson against the Sun Devils. All have played extended minutes this season, but none have Matson’s experience. Matson has started 26 straight games.

Running back David Minnich, the leading rusher on the team, was held out of Wednesday’s practice because of a sprained knee. Price said it will take much more than that to keep Minnich out of the ASU game.