With walk-on defensive lineman Kosta Karageorge missing since early Wednesday morning, Ohio State issued its first official comments on a matter that's started to garner national attention.
Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer, who asked those at annual Earle Bruce Beat Michigan tailgate to pray for Karageorge's family Friday morning, reiterated a similar sentiment:
“Our thoughts continue to be with the family of Kosta Karageorge and we pray that he is safe and that he is found soon. He is a young man who joined the football team in August and was a hard worker on the field and pleasant off the field. He has been an important player in practice for us, right up until the time he was reported missing. If anyone knows anything about his whereabouts, please help his family and contact the authorities.”
In light of a Columbus Dispatch report that states Karageorge, a fifth-year senior and former member of the wrestling team, suffers from a history of concussions, Ohio State team physician Jim Borchers added:
“First and foremost, our primary concern is for the health, safety and welfare of Kosta. While we are not able to discuss or comment about the medical care regarding our student-athletes, we are confident in our medical procedures and policies to return athletes to participation following injury or illness.”
Karageorge was reported missing by his parents and Columbus Police on Thanksgiving morning after missing back-to-back practices Wednesday and Thursday. In a Facebook post, his mother said his phone was last tracked at 2:30 a.m. in the Grandview area.
According to the Dispatch, Karageorge was last seen at his on-campus apartment around 2 a.m. before leaving to take a walk.
"He had some extenuating circumstances that night that lead us to believe he was upset," his sister, Sophia, told the newspaper.
If you know can provide any information, you can call 614-747-1729 or Ohio State University Police at 614-292-2121.
