2 min read • February 18, 2022
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A photographer covering the Rams' Super Bowl Parade Wednesday suffered a fractured spine after falling off of the main stage.
However, the photographer, Kelly Smiley, should make a full recovery, according to former Chargers head team physician Dr. David Chao.
Although there was no direct video of her landing after the fall, she likely landed on her buttocks and suffered a thoracolumbar compression fracture, Chao said.
"The pictures of the brace that she has on indicate that there does not appear to be a burst fracture component, wherein there might be spinal cord compromise," Chao said.
She'll need to wear the brace for potentially 6-to-12 weeks for some healing, but she should not have any permanent residual effects from the injury, Chao said.
Smiley, a full-time photo editor for the NFL, posted on Twitter that her two cameras were destroyed in the fall. Smiley also works as a freelance photographer and as a photo editor during Los Angeles Kings games.
Video of her fall went viral on social media, as Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford appeared to walk away after witnessing Smiley's fall.
Stafford's wife, Kelly Stafford, was next to him when the fall happened and expressed immediate concern.
In a joint statement Thursday, the Rams and the Staffords said "We have been in communication with Kelly Smiley since yesterday's incident and we are sorry for what happened. As we told Kelly, we will be covering all her hospital bills and replacing her cameras. We wish her a speedy recovery."
A GoFundMe set up Wednesday had raised $45,227 of its $30,000 goal as of Thursday evening.
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