ABC's Bob Woodruff Reports His First ESPN Feature on UCLA Concussion Victim for Tonight's E:60

In a special collaboration between E:60 and ABC News, correspondent Bob Woodruff, who suffered a traumatic brain injury covering the war in Iraq in 2006, takes viewers inside Larimore's story with his own personal understanding of head injuries.

"There is always this relationship between hard news and investigative reporting and sports," said Woodruff. "They're all together, they're all related, and they need to be broadcast. I love well-told storytelling and important stories that show people being a part of the world. I really thought this was something that was important for us to do."

This was supposed to be a season of triumph for Patrick Larimore, a 22-year-old middle linebacker for UCLA. Captain, defensive MVP, and team leader in tackles in 2011, Larimore was projected as an NFL draft pick. But in mid-August, as his senior season was about to start, Larimore decided not to play another down - ever. He had suffered multiple concussions in spring and summer practices that forced him to the sidelines. Rather than risking his long-term health, Larimore medically retired, giving up his life-long dream of being a professional football player.

"Working with Bob on his first feature for ESPN - a look at concussions in college football - has been an honor and a privilege," said E:60 Executive Producer Andy Tennant. "His years of reporting experience, his intimate knowledge of the effects of brain trauma, and his passion for sports, made this an ideal collaboration. It has added a new and powerful dimension to our show."

Woodruff was part ABC News' post-9/11 coverage recognized with the Alfred I. duPont and the George Foster Peabody Awards, the two highest honors in broadcast journalism.

Photo by RD/Leon/Retna Digitial

To post a comment, you must register and login.