QB Marve injures non-throwing hand

By JOEY KNIGHT
Published July 17, 2007

Plant quarterback Robert Marve.
	[Times photo: BRIAN CASSELLA]

TAMPA - Former Plant High quarterback Robert Marve had surgery on his non-throwing hand Monday afternoon in Naples following a single-car accident earlier that morning on Interstate 75 in Collier County.

A University of Miami freshman, Marve was headed to Coral Gables in his 2007 Dodge Charger with teammates Jermaine McKenzie and Colin McCarthy when it flipped on the interstate near mile marker 112. McKenzie was driving.

According to Marve's dad, former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Eugene Marve, Robert sustained a fractured left wrist, nerve damage to one of his left fingers and facial abrasions. "It looked like he had been sacked a couple or three times," Eugene said Monday evening. "He is not out of surgery quite yet but I anticipate him being fine. We have a good report from the (hand) specialist."

According to Plant coach Bob Weiner, who drove to Naples Community Hospital upon learning of the accident, Marve was asleep in the right rear passenger seat but had his seatbelt on.

According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, McKenzie said he fell asleep at the wheel while heading southbound on I-75, but woke up when the vehicle veered to the left, entered the grass median and struck a guardrail. When he tried to steer right, he overcompensated and lost control. The vehicle traveled across both southbound lanes, rotating clockwise before overturning to its left several times.

McKenzie, who played at St. Petersburg Catholic before transferring to Bradenton Prep, was charged with careless driving; the report indicated the accident wasn't alcohol-related. He and McCarthy, a former Clearwater Central Catholic standout, sustained minor injuries.

The reigning Florida Mr. Football, Marve led Plant to a 15-0 record and Class 4A state title last season, setting three state records in the process.

A timetable for Marve's recovery isn't certain. The Hurricanes begin preseason drills Aug. 4 and face Marshall in their season opener Sept. 1. Even before the accident, Marve wasn't expected to contend for a starting job as a freshman.

"We're looking for a full recovery, but we have to face the realization it has been a setback for us," Eugene Marve said. "How big a setback really depends on the recovery stage. You could say two weeks, four weeks, five weeks, six weeks, eight weeks -- give or take."

[Last modified July 16, 2007, 22:22:28]