Orlando Magic Cheerleader Discusses Accident

From WESH.com

Jamie Woode, 31, a member of the Magic stunt team, spoke to WESH 2’s Amanda Ober on Friday.

Woode, a former UCF cheerleader, fractured three vertebrae and broke a rib in the accident after the first quarter of a game versus the Knicks at Amway Center last Tuesday.

She was taken off the court in a stretcher but was able to wave to fans.

Woode told WESH 2 she is feeling better every day.

When asked if she’d seen the video of the fall, Woode said, “Yeah, I’ve seen it more than I care to admit. But you know, things like this happen, but you can’t dwell on the past.”

Woode explained that her fall was just a bad accident and that she’s not sure why she landed on her fellow performer’s shoulder with only one foot instead of two.

She also said she’s been overwhelmed by the community support.

“I want to thank everyone for the overwhelming amount of support through this whole process. Not only the community, but the entire Orlando Magic organization and the doctors and nurses at ORMC. I feel truly blessed.” said Woode.

After the accident, the University of Florida banned its cheerleaders from performing acrobatic stunts or tumbling during games.

Woode said she was upset that her situation caused that to happen, and she feels “awful” about it.

As for the future of the Orlando Magic Stunt Team, Magic spokesman Joel Glass said they don’t have any performances scheduled at the moment but he does expect them to return to the court before the end of the year.