On October first of 2005 I was sitting in a sports bar in Memphis TN doing something I hate to admit, yelling Roll Tide. In Tuscaloosa the University of Alabama was laying a licking on the Florida Gators. This was a good thing for my SEC East Vols. We needed the gators to go down, and this was a great sight in the land of Orange. Then came one of the most gruesome sights I have ever seen. With just under nine minutes left in the ball game, Brodie Croyle throws a pass to his favorite play maker, Tyrone Prothro. The pass was high, Pro went up for it, when he came down, the entire audience watching the nationally televised afternoon game, gasp in unison. Tyrone broke both bones in his lower leg. I could go into great detail the severity of the injury, but I think we can all recall what we witnessed that day. Then there was the sight of Pro on the back of the cart, with finger pointing to the sky as the fans of Bryant-Denney saluted him with ovation. Those cheers quickly changed to jeers as the whole state of Alabama called for the head of Mike Shula on a crimson platter, for having the star receiver in the game in the fourth quarter with a four touchdown lead. Some blame the coach's demise on that one decision. Some blame the Teams 2006 troubles on the missing star's inability to contribute to the team. But in truth Tyrone was fighting his on fight. Actually two foes stood before him. Survival, and the ability to walk. He has weathered multiple surgical procedures, and countless hours of therapy to gain the full use of that leg. But through it all he continues to make one prediction..."I will play again." That is painful to hear. I watched Tyrone make the effort to go on stage to receive an Espy award. I watched Him painfully limp on the field last year to deliver the game ball in the Iron Bowl. Yet last week when Coach Nick Saban announced that the team had taken Tyrone off of Athletic scholarship, I listened in pain as he once again declared "I will play again." It hurts to listen to a young man who has all of his hopes and dreams of the future hanging on one thing, playing football. It seems as if this young man has no reason to move forward without it revolving around playing again. But these stories don't always have to end this way.
On September ninth of last year the Tennessee Vols found themselves in the middle of a battle. The Falcons of Air Force had fought back and made every Volunteer very nervous as the bad guys were still charging. When corner back Inky Johnson made a play on the sideline, fans jumped up cheering at the intensity of the hit he made to stop the Falcons momentum. But the talented junior lay motionless on the turf. For minutes. Then he regained consciousness and could move his limbs, but it seemed he had fractured his collarbone. It wasn't until later at the hospital that the severity of the injury was discovered. Blood vessels and nerves had been damaged. Now the question was not when can I play again, but "Will I lose my arm?" Like Prothro he also had numerous surgical procedures on the arm. But what seemed to set him apart was the demeanor that carried him forward. The next day when coaches visited him, they talked about his smile and positive attitude. As soon as he was discharged from the hospital he was at practice. Motivating. Leading. Inky would have to spend time at the Mayo Clinic to try and make the most of what he had left in his arm. As spring practice started Inky was there. With his injury and the vols sending players to the NFL the vols are likely sending some true freshman to the field of battle. Inky is not letting them go into that battle without being properly prepared. He has been in the weight room, and on the practice field, arm in a sling, step by step with the young men trying to fill his shoes. Coach Phillip Fulmer, knowing how special this young man is, made him a student coach for the 2007 season. In an interview from Saturday Inky was smiling ear to ear and talked of the tremendous opportunity he has been given to help coach and continue to be a part of the team. He talked about growing up wanting to be a mentor, because of what mentors meant to him. Now he has the opportunity to help others and help the school and community he has grown to love, and have fell in Love with him. "Sometimes you cannot focus on the situation, you have to think about your destination." Profound words from a young man who looks like his career has just begun, and not come to an abrupt end. This past week the sports community has talked of how to honor Tyrone. Retire his number? The highest he stands in any category of the Bama record books is third for special teams. Permanent Captain? Name an award after the young man? At the same time, Inky just wants to help his team and do what he can to make the most of the gifts he has been given. Maybe it is just perception. But when comparing these two players I get the distinct feeling of looking at two identical glasses of water. One half full, and unfortunately one half empty.
