STARKVILLE — Mississippi State sophomore defensive end Nick Bell”s prognosis for recovery from brain surgery took a turn for the worse when the team announced Monday he had additional surgery.
Bell, who had surgery Oct. 1 to remove a cancerous mass from his brain, was given a positive outlook for full recovery. That changed when Bell”s mother, Linda, told MSU coach Dan Mullen the news.
Bell is in intensive care at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital.
Mullen spoke to the Monday Morning Quarterback Club in Birmingham, Ala. Monday, where he provided the news Bell is in the hospital.
“We found out this weekend it”s metastasized through his body,” Mullen said, according to The Birmingham News. “He took a little turn for the worse in the past three days. He”s in a battle. He”s struggling, so I”m going to go over and visit him.”
Bell started two of the four games he played in this season, compiling seven tackles and two for a loss. For his career, Bell has 22 tackles and four and a half stops for a loss.
Dr. Allen Sills, who performed Bell”s first surgery, said the mass, which was determined to be a form of skin cancer, was discovered by MSU physicians after Bell developed headaches and hand weakness.
Bell was on the sidelines Oct. 23 for MSU”s win against UAB.
“Megan and I had the opportunity to visit Nick this afternoon, and told the team about his condition at a team meeting when we returned,” Mullen said in a school released statement. “A group of about 50 of us will travel back to Birmingham tonight to spend time with Nick and his family this evening.
“We ask that everyone keeps Nick and his family in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
Sherrod, White earn SEC honors
The Southeastern Conference recognized MSU senior captains Derek Sherrod and Chris White on Monday for their efforts in a 24-17 victory against Kentucky on Saturday.
Sherrod was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week for the third time in five weeks after helping the Bulldogs rush for 214 yards and average 5.5 yards per carry. MSU has rushed for more than 200 yards in five consecutive games, and has passed the century mark in every game this year (and 20 of 21 games dating back to 2009).
White earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week after posting a career-high 15 tackles with one tackle for a loss and an interception. He led a defense that held Kentucky to 89 rushing yards on 43 attempts. White is third in the conference in tackles, third in tackles for a loss, and is tied for fifth in sacks.
University of Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett was named offensive player of the week, while Florida kicker Chas Henry and Auburn cornerback Demond Washington were named co-Special Teams Player of the Week.
South Carolina”s Devin Taylor was named Defensive Lineman of the Week.
The SEC named Florida”s Trey Burton, Auburn running back Michael Dyer and South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore were named Tri-Freshman of the Week.
MSU will resume play Nov. 13 at Alabama. The conference office announced the game will kick off at 6:15 p.m.. ESPN or ESPN2 will televise the game.
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