Adam Taliaferro injury: How did former Penn State player get paralyzed?

GLASSBORO, NJ - MARCH 20: Gloucester County Freeholder Adam Taliaferro speaks to about 300 teenagers from Gloucester County high schools during a "Schools United for Respect and Equality" teen summit at Rowan University March 20, 2014 in Glassboro, New Jersey (Photo by Bill McCay/Getty Images) /

Penn State named former cornerback Adam Taliaferro the honorary captain for Saturday’s game against Auburn.

Saturday was a huge day for the No. 10 Penn State Nittany Lions, as they hosted the No. 22 Auburn Tigers in a huge primetime game. For the occasion, those in attendance participated in the Whiteout at Beaver Stadium.

Ahead of the contest, the Nittany Lions named former defensive back Adam Taliaferro their honorary captain. Taliaferro overcame the odds after he walked again after getting paralyzed from a neck injury sustained in game back in 2000.

Adam Taliaferro became paralyzed during a game against Ohio State in 2000

Back on Sept. 23, 2000, Taliaferro became paralyzed after attempting to make a tackle against Ohio State running back Jerry Westbrooks. During the play, Taliaferro’s helmet made contact with Westbrook’s knee, leading to the injury. Taliaferro was diagnosed with a fractured fifth cervical vertebrae and a bruised spinal cord, where several doctors believed that he would never walk again.

Taliaferro defeated the low odds gave him, as he was able to walk the Nittany Lions out of the tunnel on Sept. 1, 2001 prior to their game against Miami. This was less than a year after the injury occurred.

20 years after leading Penn State onto the Beaver Stadium field, Taliaferro did so again as the team’s honorary captain.

Next. 50 greatest college football teams of all time. dark

For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.

Home/College Football