LOS ANGELES — Just 16 days after Stafon Johnson's neck was crushed in a weightlifting accident, the Southern California tailback is heading home.

Johnson expressed thanks and optimism with his eyes and smile at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center yesterday during his first public appearance since the accident. He was scheduled to be released later in the day.

Wearing a black USC sweatshirt and a red cap with the Trojans' helmet logo, Johnson easily walked through the hospital and exchanged teasing gestures with friends. He also smiled at his mother, Kim Mallory, who hasn't left his side since Johnson accidentally dropped a weight bar on his neck, crushing his throat and larynx.

Tearing up along with her 21-year-old son, Mallory expressed gratitude for a worldwide outpouring of support in cards, flowers and posters — even some from UCLA fans.

"They sent everything you can possibly think to show Stafon the love, and that meant the world to get us to go along with that process," Mallory said.

Johnson's uncle, Kregg Anderson, read a message written by Johnson.

"I am just so filled with joy, as if I am graduating from one stage of life and on to the next obstacles," Anderson read. "I greatly appreciate everything, and at this point, everything counts. ... This is not the end of anything. This is the beginning of things to come. I'll be back soon. We are fighting on."

Although he still has a breathing tube in his throat and can't swallow, Johnson clearly has made a remarkable recovery from an accident that would have killed most people. He underwent seven hours of reconstructive surgery Sept. 28 to repair his throat, but his rehabilitation has been swift because of his tremendous physical condition.

"As an athlete, Stafon already has the mental ability to push through many obstacles," said Dr. Jason Hamilton, a throat specialist who's part of Johnson's medical team. "I think he's done that thus far. He's made extreme progress to this date, and we expect him to continue to make progress."

Doctors don't know when Johnson will be able to speak. His right vocal cord was torn away from its mooring, and his larynx was separated. He also still has a tracheostomy tube in his throat which will be there "as long as he needs it," Dr. Ryan Osborne said.

Osborne and Hamilton believe Johnson's ability to play football again largely will depend on his own desire to return, either to the Trojans or the NFL.

"I think that the majority of that is in the hands of Stafon," Osborne said. "I don't think any physician can tell a player if they're going to play again."

USC coach Pete Carroll said Tuesday it's possible Johnson could qualify for a medical redshirt that would give him a sixth year of eligibility.

BOWL GAMES

BIG EAST IN MEINEKE

The Meineke Bowl has renewed its deal with the Big East that will send the conference's third selection to the North Carolina bowl through the 2013 season.

The agreement announced yesterday comes as bowl officials continue discussions with the Atlantic Coast Conference about extending its tie-in with the game.

The bowl at Bank of America Stadium has pitted teams from the Big East and ACC since its inception in 2002.

This year's Meineke Bowl is Dec. 26 and will be televised by ESPN.

PIZZA BOWL STILL LOOKING

The chief executive of the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in Detroit says he still hopes for the game to have a tie-in with the Big Ten.

George Perles said yesterday he expects to know by next week if the former Motor City Bowl will reach an agreement with a Big Ten or Big East team to play a Mid-American Conference school.

The bowl changed its name after Detroit-based Little Caesars stepped in as sponsor. The game is played at Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions.

GEORGIA

NO LICENSE, NO PLAY

Georgia defensive back Vance Cuff has been suspended for Saturday's game at Vanderbilt following his arrest on misdemeanor charges, including driving with a suspended license.

Cuff was riding a scooter as he left the Georgia football facility on Tuesday and drove down a street which has been closed for construction. He was stopped by University of Georgia police and he was found to be driving with a suspended license.

Georgia coach Mark Richt suspended Cuff for one game, saying Cuff "used poor judgment first in the route he took and also for being on the scooter at all with a suspended license."