LANDOVER, Md. -- Washington Redskins cornerback Shawn Springs returned from his father's bedside to play in Sunday's 21-19 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
Springs spent most of last week in Texas, where former Dallas Cowboys running back Ron Springs remained hospitalized in a coma. Ron Springs, a diabetic, received a kidney donated by ex-teammate Everson Walls in February.
"It all started with a simple procedure on his arm," Shawn Springs said. "He needed a cyst removed from his arm."
Springs said his father still had pain in the arm after the operation, so a second one was scheduled three days later, on Oct. 11. Springs said his father lost oxygen for a time during the surgery and lapsed into a coma.
Springs played two days later in last week's loss to Green Bay, then left on Monday to be with his father. He rejoined the Redskins on Friday and played more than expected Sunday after Fred Smoot injured a hamstring.
Springs finished with seven total tackles.
"Today wasn't too bad," Springs said. "Last week versus Green Bay was worse, because that is when I initially found out about my father's situation. ... The guys welcomed me back and in and were all excited to see me. This is my other family, the Redskins family."
Springs said he will split time this week between Washington and Dallas, but he said his father wouldn't have wanted him to miss the game.
"I know how my dad is," Springs said. "He'll always say, 'Don't worry about me.' "
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
