American football player breaks spine after helmet-to-helmet collision

TULSA, Oklahoma (AFP) - Tulane University football player Devon Walker broke his spine in a helmet-to-helmet clash with a teammate in a game against Tulsa on Saturday, the team doctor said.

Mr Walker was injured while making a tackle in the first half of the 45-10 defeat when his head struck that of a teammate.

In a post-game press conference, physician Buddy Savoie said that Mr Walker, a senior-year safety, was in traction in hospital and had been diagnosed with a cervical spine fracture.

He was receiving treatment for swelling and was expected to have surgery "in the next day or two," Mr Savoie said.