(Associated Press)

Marlin McKeever, a two-time All-American at USC (1959-60) who played 13 years in the NFL (seen here in his Rams uniform), fell into a bad coma Wednesday as a result of a fall at his home on Tuesday.

Pete Carroll left practice Thursday to go to the hospital.

“Those considerations didn’t even figure in,” Carroll said of his schedule. “It sounded pretty grave at the time. It’s no gesture, you just have to go.”

McKeever heads the Trojan Football Alumni Club, and was instrumental along with the late Marv Goux, in preaching the importance of the program.

“He and Marv were the connection to the past,” Carroll said. “They were the guys that taught me the history of the program. (McKeever) was so well known and loved and an awesome supporter of the program.”

Lawrence Jackson led the Trojans in a post-practice prayer for McKeever.

Marlin McKeever in critical condition after fall [Sign on San Diego]