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Heisman Trophy Winner
Great article on Austin!
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Austin inspires Huskers
LINCOLN -- Greg Austin's dedication to the Nebraska football program cannot be questioned.
Despite a partially torn knee ligament, the senior guard is determined to get back in the Cornhuskers' starting lineup for Friday's home finale against Colorado. Those familiar with Austin's past history certainly won't bet against the 6-foot-1, 295-pounder from Cypress, Texas, returning for his senior day at Memorial Stadium.
After working his way into the offensive line rotation as a true freshman in 2003, Austin suffered a knee injury against Kansas that forced him to miss the remainder of the year and appeared to be career-threatening.
Austin's kneecap had slid to the exterior side of his right knee. When it went back into place, the bone tore cartilage in the back of his kneecap. Now, parts of his knee don't have cartilage, meaning that Austin has bone rubbing on bone.
Austin's situation looked so dire that when offensive line coach Dennis Wagner came on the scene with head coach Bill Callahan's staff early in 2004, he was told that Austin's career was probably finished. Wagner even approached Austin about the possibility of taking a student-coaching position.
However, Austin never even considered giving up the game. He worked religiously to rehabilitate his knee and played in all 11 games of the 2004 season as a backup before starting Nebraska's first 10 games of 2005 and its first six games of 2006 at left guard. He's started eight of 11 contests this year.
To get back on the field, Austin has paid the price. He constantly has to deal with pain while trying to make up for the lost mobility caused by his injury.
"Most people would've quit football because I'm sure when he's 45 or 50 years old, he's not going to be walking straight unless medical science comes up with something great," Callahan said. "He's a guy that has given his heart and soul to football and sacrificed tremendously.
"I think if players are going to take something away from Greg, they're going to see that he's given everything he's had and more."
The explanation for Austin's dogged dedication is simple.
"I love the game and I love the team," Austin said. "If I can help them, then I'm going to help them any way I can. That's just how I look at it.
"Every day I've just got to go out there and see what the knee does. I'm such an optimistic person that I always think that it's going to be good each day."
Now, neither on of Austin's knees could be considered "good." Twice this season, Austin has left games after suffering knee injuries -- first at Iowa State and then again at Oklahoma State when he partially tore the MCL in his left knee that has kept him sidelined the past two contests.
Regardless of the price Austin may have to pay in the future, Callahan said he doesn't have the heart to shut the senior down as he tries to get back on the field.
"When a player has a passion -- and athletics and sports mean everything to those guys -- I would never ever try to hurt their spirit or kill their spirit about coming back and playing," Callahan said. "If a guy, God willing, is able to do it and fight through injury and that's what he wants to do, he's got my full support."
Never once has Austin questioned the practicality of his decision to keep playing or pondered the negative impact it could have on his future.
"I can't live like that right now," Austin said. "It's something I've chosen to go through. I guess the future will all take care of itself."
Link
Austin inspires Huskers
LINCOLN -- Greg Austin's dedication to the Nebraska football program cannot be questioned.
Despite a partially torn knee ligament, the senior guard is determined to get back in the Cornhuskers' starting lineup for Friday's home finale against Colorado. Those familiar with Austin's past history certainly won't bet against the 6-foot-1, 295-pounder from Cypress, Texas, returning for his senior day at Memorial Stadium.
After working his way into the offensive line rotation as a true freshman in 2003, Austin suffered a knee injury against Kansas that forced him to miss the remainder of the year and appeared to be career-threatening.
Austin's kneecap had slid to the exterior side of his right knee. When it went back into place, the bone tore cartilage in the back of his kneecap. Now, parts of his knee don't have cartilage, meaning that Austin has bone rubbing on bone.
Austin's situation looked so dire that when offensive line coach Dennis Wagner came on the scene with head coach Bill Callahan's staff early in 2004, he was told that Austin's career was probably finished. Wagner even approached Austin about the possibility of taking a student-coaching position.
However, Austin never even considered giving up the game. He worked religiously to rehabilitate his knee and played in all 11 games of the 2004 season as a backup before starting Nebraska's first 10 games of 2005 and its first six games of 2006 at left guard. He's started eight of 11 contests this year.
To get back on the field, Austin has paid the price. He constantly has to deal with pain while trying to make up for the lost mobility caused by his injury.
"Most people would've quit football because I'm sure when he's 45 or 50 years old, he's not going to be walking straight unless medical science comes up with something great," Callahan said. "He's a guy that has given his heart and soul to football and sacrificed tremendously.
"I think if players are going to take something away from Greg, they're going to see that he's given everything he's had and more."
The explanation for Austin's dogged dedication is simple.
"I love the game and I love the team," Austin said. "If I can help them, then I'm going to help them any way I can. That's just how I look at it.
"Every day I've just got to go out there and see what the knee does. I'm such an optimistic person that I always think that it's going to be good each day."
Now, neither on of Austin's knees could be considered "good." Twice this season, Austin has left games after suffering knee injuries -- first at Iowa State and then again at Oklahoma State when he partially tore the MCL in his left knee that has kept him sidelined the past two contests.
Regardless of the price Austin may have to pay in the future, Callahan said he doesn't have the heart to shut the senior down as he tries to get back on the field.
"When a player has a passion -- and athletics and sports mean everything to those guys -- I would never ever try to hurt their spirit or kill their spirit about coming back and playing," Callahan said. "If a guy, God willing, is able to do it and fight through injury and that's what he wants to do, he's got my full support."
Never once has Austin questioned the practicality of his decision to keep playing or pondered the negative impact it could have on his future.
"I can't live like that right now," Austin said. "It's something I've chosen to go through. I guess the future will all take care of itself."
