Moore and Franklin show support for USC’s Johnson

UCLA’s Rahim Moore and Johnathan Franklin went to California Hospital Medical Center on Monday after learning that USC tailback Stafon Johnson had been injured in a weight-room accident.

The three were teammates at Los Angeles Dorsey High, where Johnson was two years ahead of Moore and Franklin.

“Rahim and I had to show our support for a brother, you can say a family member,� said Franklin, a redshirt freshman running back. “This is a guy I grew up with, a guy I played behind in high school, a guy I learned from, as a running back and a person.�

Johnson was injured when a bar with 275 pounds slipped from his hands and landed on his throat, doctors were told. He underwent seven hours of surgery and is expected to make a full recovery.

Moore and Franklin got to the hospital while Johnson was in surgery.

“I talked with his mom and I’ve been praying for him all day,� said Moore, a sophomore safety. “I couldn’t sleep last night from tossing and turning. I was mad it happened. I know how much he loves football.�

Moore said Johnson “helped me so much about how to play football and how to go about things in life. I had to jump up and go see him as soon as I heard.�

Franklin, who backed up Johnson as a sophomore, said a number of former Dorsey players came to the hospital. “At Dorsey, we’re a family,� he said.

Quick hits

Freshman cornerback Sheldon Price will make his second consecutive start Saturday against Stanford. Said Carnell Lake, who coaches UCLA’s cornerbacks: “We’re taking it a week at a time, but right now, that’s how we’re going.� Sophomore Courtney Viney will be his backup and see time as a nickel back. . . . UCLA has won five in a row against Stanford, since a 21-14 loss at the Farm in 2003. . . . Quarterback Kevin Prince (fractured jaw) and cornerback Aaron Hester (fractured fibula) looked closer to being ready. Both were in helmets and shoulder pads Tuesday.

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