SUV Wreck Sends McMurry Players To Hospital

The group was heading south on Hwy. 36 near Abilene Regional Airport when a tire blew out and sent the vehicle out of control.

Teammates still on McMurry's campus heard the news soon after the wreck and were anxiously awaiting word on their friends.

It's a tight-knit team in a tight-knit town and when tragedy struck Tuesday evening, it was felt all around.

"You just can't get any closer than a football team really, especially at McMurry's," said free safety Josh Keith.

Three McMurry University War Hawks and a coach were heading south to Callahan County.

According to acting president Dr. Paul Fabrizio, it wasn't to play, but to work as ranchhands.

The driver, a student, felt the SUV wobble, Fabrizio said. He tried to slow down, but the tire blew, sending the Ford Explorer into a median -- it flipped five times.

"When we heard the details of it, one person ejected, that is just scary," Fabrizio said. "The fact that everyone has non-life threating injuries, We just thank God."

"My football team means a lot to me, they help me grow to who I am," Keith said.

Now, it's Keith's turn to help his teammates heal and get back on their feet.

Football running back Tyrese House was driving, he was thrown from the SUV as it rolled over. He is being kept at Hendrick Medical Center overnight because of a head injury.

Also in the SUV, defensive tackle Markell Rice, defensive lineman Corey Hall, and McMurry defensive line coach Kendall Todd.

Hall, Rice and Todd were expected to be released late Tuesday evening.