McCarthy has dedicated his play this season to Kuna HS football player Boone Bartlome. Boone was a WR/CB for his father's team at Kuna HS just outside of Boise. Last Friday night Kuna was playing McCarthy's former HS Bishop Kelly in the State Quarter Finals when in the middle of the 1st quarter Boone tried to block a Strong Safety from his WR position and lost his footing and collided with Kuna's fullback. Boone broke his neck at C4 and has what they are labeling as a incomplete tear of the spinal cord in that area. Boone was taken off the field and transported to St Alphonsus Hospital in Boise where he remains today without feeling in either of his arms or legs. At this time doctors are saying that until the swelling goes down they will not know the extent of the injuries.
McCarthy put Boone's name and number (#2) on his arm and will continue to do so for the rest of the season. Coach Baldwin has said that he will contact the Bartlome family and may help in any way he can. McCarthy has also contacted friends of his on the BSU team and they will also wear Boone's name and number as McCarthy did against MSU. The University of Wyoming has also said they may also follow McCarthy's lead while in Boise to show their support as well. McCarthy has said that it is his hope that through the broadcast's of EWU games he can raise awareness of the injury to gather support and possibly get the attention of somebody who can help Boone ride again as Boone was also a competitor in the National HS Rodeo.
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