Philadelphia (October 2000)-- The family of Adam Taliaferro, the Penn State football player who suffered a serious spinal injury last month, has issued a statement of thanks to the thousands of people who have had Adam in their thoughts.

"We want to thank everyone for all the cards, letters, phone calls and e-mails of encouragement for Adam and we're especially thankful for all the prayers," said Andre Taliaferro, Adam's father. "We haven't had a chance to acknowledge all the letters and items Adam has received and wanted everyone to know that it is appreciated and that we intend to get back to everyone.

"Adam is getting better every day and we look forward to the day when he will be able to go back to Penn State," Mr. Taliaferro added.

Adam Taliaferro was injured in the Penn State game at Ohio State on September 23. He is undergoing rehabilitation at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital which, along with Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, is the federally-designated Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center of Delaware Valley. He is expected to be at Magee at least another 8-10 weeks.

The Adam Taliaferro Fund was established by Penn State soon after his devastating injury. The fund has been set up to assist the Taliaferro family with extraordinary medical expenses over and above those covered by insurance. Any money not required for Adam's long-term care will be transferred into an endowed scholarship in his name. More than $94,000 has been deposited in the fund, including $32,759.35 contributed by fans at Penn State’s Homecoming football game with Illinois on October 21.