Ball State University senior receiver Dante Love was released from Methodist Hospital today after spending six days to recover from a cervical spine fracture, coach Brady Hoke said Thursday night.
Hoke said Love will be sent immediately to a rehabilitation center in Indianapolis to begin his physical therapy. Hoke didn't know the name of the location, but he said Love chose it from a short list that included centers closer to Muncie or his hometown of Cincinnati.
Hoke, who has been at the hospital every morning this week to visit Love, said the receiver walked for the first time Tuesday since his injury.
"He did about 15 to 30 steps [Tuesday], both forward and backward," Hoke said. "He walked a little bit more [Wednesday]. It's great that he's up and moving around some. The doctors are being very smart with him in that they're not going to fast."
Eight Ball State football players, including quarterback Nate Davis and tight end Darius Hill, visited Love at the hospital in Indianapolis on Thursday. It was the first time any of Love's teammates had seen him since he was carted off the field on a stretcher Saturday at Indiana University.
"His teammates have been biting at the bit to see him," Hoke said.
Love's injury occurred when Indiana cornerback Chris Adkins tackled him during the second quarter of Ball State's 42-20 win Saturday. Hoke said he and Love received a phone call from Adkins the next day.
"He was concerned and just wanted to give Dante his prayers," Hoke said. "He was feeling bad, and I told him he had nothing to feel bad about. He was doing his job. It's a part - an ugly, unfortunate part - of the game. There was no maliciousness involved."
Ball State Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tom Collins said 20,000 "Dante Love" stickers will be passed out to fans as they enter the Scheumann Stadium gates before Saturday's Homecoming game. Collins also said two red, No. 86 signs will be posted on the fence behind Ball State's sideline. The Cardinals will kick off their fifth game of the season against Kent State University at noon Saturday.
Collins said honoring the commitment Love made to Ball State's football program is one of his biggest priorities this weekend.
"You want to make sure you're doing the right things, and you're doing it with class," Collins said. "There may be some other things that we do, but those are the two things we have planned right now. That along with what the team decides to do."
Hoke said Love has been named an honorary captain, and a senior player will represent him at midfield during the coin toss before each game this season. The Cardinals' two captains - junior defensive end Brandon Crawford and senior center Dan Gerberry - approached Hoke with the idea Monday. Fifth-year senior linebacker Bryant Haines, who is tied for the team lead with 31 tackles, will represent Love on Saturday.
"I think it speaks volumes for the respect that they have for Dante," Hoke said. "I thought it was a great idea. It shows that he's still one of our players. He's still a part of this team."
Ball State's players will also wear No. 86 decals on their helmet for the rest of the season.
Hoke said it's too early to predict if or when Love will be able to attend a game later this season.
"It's truly a day-to-day situation," Hoke said. "Every day he feels stronger and gets better."
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