UPDATE: Friday, 12:50 p.m.

Curtis Brinkley, a former Syracuse tailback, was shot while driving through a Philadelphia suburb at approximately 12:02 Friday morning. A spokesman at Albert Einstein Medical Center said Brinkley is in good condition in the intensive care unit.

Cheltenham Township police said in a release Brinkley was in his car stopped at an intersection, when a gunman walked up and started blasting a handgun. Brinkley, who lives in Philadelphia and went to West Catholic High School, managed to drive a short distance, when an officer responded. Police have not yet indicated a motive, and the gunman is still on the loose,

The gunman immediately fled the site in a waiting car that was parked on an adjacent street.

The Syracuse Athletic Department released a statement Friday morning regarding the shooting: ‘Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone and the Orange football family extend their thoughts and prayers to former Syracuse running back Curtis Brinkley ’09 and his family. We wish him a full and speedy recovery.’

Brinkley, 23, rushed for 2,132 yards and 11 touchdowns in his four-year Syracuse career and graduated in May. He was the Orange’s best offensive player last season, exploding for 1,164 yards and seven touchdowns, while serving as a vocal team leader.

Brinkley signed with the NFL’s San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in April.

Published on August 3, 2009 at 12:00 pm