A former Minnesota State linebacker has suffered permanent brain damage and is "fighting for his life" after allegedly being assaulted by Rutgers University quarterback Philip Robert Nelson, according to the victim's father.
Nelson was arrested and jailed on the scene in Mankato, Minn., early Sunday on a potential assault charge, NBC reported. He was taken to the Blue Earth Country jail.
Blaine Kolstad, the father of 24-year-old Isaac Kolstad, updated his son's condition on the website caringbridge.org on Sunday night.
"Isaac suffered a severe head injury early this morning," Blaine Kolstad wrote. "He is currently in Critical condition and fighting for his life. He is young and strong, but the battle he has in front of him is enormous. He had one surgery today to put a pressure gauge in his skull. He may need additional surgeries in the coming days. We do know that his brain did sustain permanent damage. We do not yet know to what extent and won't for many days. He is very sick. Please pray for Isaac and all of those involved."
While police were patrolling the city's downtown entertainment district around 2 a.m., they came across an unconscious 24-year-old Kolstad at an intersection in downtown Mankato, Minn., Sunday morning, a statement said.
According to audio from a police scanner reporting the incident, Kolstad was kicked twice in the head and was unresponsive for 10 minutes, NJ.com reported.
The tragic incident occurred after a night of graduation celebrations at bars in downtown Mankato, according to reports.
"We are in the process of gathering information on the situation and reserve comment until the legal process is complete," Rutgers athletics spokesman Jason Baum said in a statement.
In a statement released by the Kolstad family on Sunday through the Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, prayers were requested for his wife and children. Kolstad was married in March 2013 and has a young daughter.
"Nelson left the Minnesota Gophers in January to transfer to Rutgers, which is moving into the Big Ten next season," NBC reported. "He played in 11 games last season, but said Rutgers offered a more pass-friendly offense. He completed 50.5 percent of his passes for 1,306 yards with nine touchdowns and six interceptions last season."
"Kolstad graduated from Mankato East and spent two seasons at North Dakota State in 2008 and 2009, did not play in 2010, then transferred to Minnesota State for his junior and senior years. He started all 12 games last season and finished third on the team in tackles with 59."
According to CBS TV affiliate WCCO and other outlets, Nelson is being held on expected third-degree assault charges, which is considered a felony in Minnesota. Police are looking for another suspect believed to be involved.
"It's an ongoing investigation and as more information becomes available we'll be releasing it," city spokeswoman Shelly Schulz said.
