Akron FB Odofin injured in fatal car crash

Nov 26, 2007 - 9:28 PM ENDICOTT, New York (Ticker) -- Deni Odofin, a freshman fullback on the Akron football team, suffered a broken leg in a recent fatal one-car automobile accident, the school announced Monday.

According to the school, the accident occurred on Saturday morning. Akron provided no other details.

The 19-year-old Odofin, a passenger, remains hospitalized and is listed in fair condition.

The driver of the vehicle, Army Pfc. Phillip Diaferio, 20, died at the scene of the accident, while another passenger, James Bronson, 20, was treated for injuries and released.

Diaferio was on leave for the Thanksgiving holiday and was set to return to Iraq on December 5.

"First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers go out to the young soldier," Akron coach J.D. Brookhart said. "After talking with Deni's mother we are all just happy he is alive."

Brookhart expects Odofin to recover but doesn't know if he will be able to resume his football career.

"I do not know if or when he will be able to return to the football field," Brookhart said. "But that is not important. The important thing is that he is still with us."

Odofin played in seven games for the Zips this season as a true freshman.