What hit the cutting room when we wrote about Zac Etheridge
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Just like every other news source that covers Auburn football, we wrote today about the scary three days Auburn safety Zac Etheridge had and his goal for a full recovery.
There was a lot of material we didn’t use because newspaper stories simply can’t be 2,000 words.
Here’s what Etheridge and a few others had to say Tuesday.
Etheridge
(How was the warm reception from teammates?)
“It meant a lot just knowing that the guys are behind me and walking around, seeing the smiles on their faces—just them being there for me and my family. I’ve got to give a heads-up to the fans and everyone that’s been praying because prayer has been a miracle. I’m just blessed to be able to walk again and I’m glad that I’m able to walk.“
(Your first reaction to the hit)
“When it first happened, I was just laying there. I was in shock just not being able to move, there was a lot going through my mind. The only thing I could say was, ‘Jesus. Jesus.‘ Just calling out his name and being able to move by the time I got on the stretcher.“
(How long were you not able to move?)
“When I was on the ground, I was moving my toes a little bit. I didn’t have much feeling, but when I got on the stretcher, they were just like, ‘Move your hands and just let everyone know you’re fine.‘ That’s when I was able to put a thumbs up and that’s when I knew that all the prayers that went up, God answered those that time.“
(Could you hear the crowd?)
“Yes sir. I heard all 87,000 that was in there. That just lets you know we have a great fanbase. I think all those guys that prayed for me and continued to pray for a speedy recovery.“
(Why talk to the media?)
“I told my mom that I got messages from a lot of people, a lot of fans. I want the world to know that I’m fine. I want to thank everybody for their prayer requests. That helped my family out. They’re going through this situation—especially knowing how much I love this game. I can’t stay away from the guys long. If I could, I’d dress out today. I’m just happy to walk again.“
(How much of a scare has this been?)
“It scared me a lot. You never know when your last play will be. You never know what’s going to happen in life. If I would have known that play was going to happen, I wouldn’t have been on the field. We were just getting to the ball. I told Ac to not worry about it. We both were trying to get to the ball, trying to make a play on the ball. My head just happened to get jammed the wrong way. I’ll be fine. I told all the guys—I’ll be fine even if I’m not able to play football again. I will still be around Auburn. I will still be an Auburn man.“
(How scary to watch all this unfold?)
“It’s very hard, because on just about any given play it can happen to you. There have probably been times I’ve been in that same position, but it just didn’t happen. I don’t know that. It was just one of those times he got caught on the wrong play at the wrong time. Everybody’s thinking, what if that was my last play. That could be his last play. We don’t know for sure. As a football players, injuries are going to come, you just hope that isn’t going to be the one that ends your career.“
(What will you miss about Zac on the field?)
“I’m going to miss especially because he talked to me a lot more than anyone else on the team. Communicate things to me, especially when I’m dropping into coverage or letting me know when he’s coming down. The linebackers are going to miss him because he’s the talker back there. I’m going to miss him, because he can see a lot more than I can see.“
(Seeing him at the team meeting)
“Man, it was a blessing. When it happened, I texted him that night, I texted him the next morning, we’ve been texting back and forth ever since. It’s just a blessing to see him walk in with a smile on his face and just telling us to go out and play football, continue on. I know he wants to be with us, but he’s going through a tough time right now. But I think he’s holding on real well.“
(What happened?)
“I actually didn’t know who was injured. I couldn’t really tell. There were two people down and I thought the guy on the bottom of the pile was injured. So I couldn’t tell until I went to the sideline and was just trying to figure out who was injured.“
(How hard is it going to be without him?)
“It’s gonna be hard. It was hard being without him that first play, knowing I didn’t have that No. 4 beside me for the rest of the game. As a person and a player I knew I had to step up and play. I know that’s what he’d want me to do.“
(How does your role change?)
“I have to be a leader. I have to take his spot. That’s what he told me he wanted me to do. I’m going to fulfill whatever he needs me to do.“
(Photo credit: Todd Van Emst)
