Corey Wootton: Road to Recovery
By Justin Schecker
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Viewed 1053 times.
While trying to pressure Missouri’s quarterback Chase Daniel with four minutes to go in regulation at the Alamo Bowl, Corey Wootton collapsed and hit the turf.
“I didn't really know i had torn my ACL, but I had thought maybe I'd broken my leg,” Wootton said. “I wasn't really sure. I just heard a snap and I thought I broke my leg.”
“He's a key player and he is what he is,” safety Brendan Smith said, “you know, a candidate for all of these awards. But he's a friend. He's a teammate and you never want to see anyone go down especially one of your key players"
But the 6”7 defensive end is back for his senior year.
“What I'm most proud of is the way he's fought through overcoming this injury,” Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald said. “A lesser man seven months in would never have gone through camp. A lesser man would not be playing right now.”
Fitzgerald can relate to Wootton's recovery.
During his junior year at Northwestern in 1995, Fitz broke his leg two games before the Purple's trip to Pasadena. Like Wootton, Fitz bounced back in time for the following season opener.
“He's just offering me advice with anything I can do to mentally, in the film room, and just what I can do to improve my game every step of the way,” Wootton said.
“I just try to tell him once you get up to about 90 percent - between 90 and 100 percent is the hardest part of the rehab,” Fitzgerald said. “You feel good. You're out there competing but you got to shake off the rust.”
In the first three games of 2009, Wootton hasn't racked up the individual stats like he did last season. Teams are also game planning against the defensive end, adding to the challenge of overcoming a torn ACL.
Still, number 99 understands how important his presence on the field is for NU.
“I mean if they are going to double me,” Wootton said, “it’s going to free someone else up 1-on-1, so these guys got to step up and make plays when they have to.
While trying to return to full form, Wootton is on numerous award watch lists including for the Chuck Bednarik and Bronco Nagurksi awards.
Wootton’s 16 tackles for loss is fifth on NU's career list and his 15.5 sacks is fourth best.
Last updated: 2009-09-26 16:47:59 by