Bishop's Neck

Sunday, January 30th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

ATLANTA (AP) -- Tennessee safety Blaine Bishop strained his neck in a scary collision during the third quarter of the Super Bowl and lay motionless on the field for several minutes.
Bishop, who jammed his helmet into the back of St. Louis tight end Ernie Conwell on a tackle, did have movement in his arms and legs before he was taken off the field on a stretcher.
"I lost feeling in my neck and left arm. But everything is cool now. I'm going to be OK," said Bishop, who was wearing a neck brace after the game. "The doctors said I just pinched a nerve. It didn't mess up the bones or anything."
Players on both teams prayed on the sidelines while Bishop was being tended to by trainers. St. Louis quarterback Kurt Warner, a devout Christian, even knelt beside the motionless Bishop.
Bishop was taken to Piedmont Hospital for precautionary X-rays that were negative. The injury left the Titans without both their starting safeties. Second-year safety Perry Phenix replaced Bishop. Free safety Marcus Robertson broke his left leg in the AFC Championship game and was replaced by Anthony Dorsett.