By KRISTIAN POPE, The News Journal
After injury, Winton set to return for season opener
DOVER -- Hobbling off the artificial turf last November at Dick Price Stadium in Norfolk, Va., Vashon Winton never doubted himself.
When he heard the extent of his injury, Winton stayed strong.
In the operating room, before he was put to sleep and the surgeon carved into his left leg, Winton still exuded confidence.
Almost a year after season-ending surgery to repair a broken fibula, a fractured tibia and a torn ligament, Winton, a junior quarterback at Delaware State, says the only thing he wants to remember about his injury last November is his confidence to return just as he departed: as the most important player to the Hornets' success.
"Sometimes," Winton said, "I even forget which leg I hurt."
Winton, a 6-foot-2, 195-pounder from Chicago's Simeon High, holds a lot in his hands. With him, the Hornets -- who open the season tonight against nonconference Coastal Carolina -- could be among the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference teams vying for the regular-season championship.
Without Winton, the 2005 MEAC rookie of the year, DSU's season could be in doubt. But he had no doubts he would be on the Alumni Stadium field tonight.
For Winton, that realization was built one month at a time.
Nov. 11, 2006
"All I saw was the end zone. I just wanted to reach the end zone."
It was the Hornets' 10th game of the season. Two weeks prior, they celebrated one of the program's biggest wins under coach Al Lavan, a 10-9 victory over MEAC title contender South Carolina State.
Facing Norfolk State, DSU was closing in on a share of the school's first MEAC title since 1991. Winton had a lot to do with it.
"I've always been very pleased with Vashon," Lavan said. "One thing about him, he's always understood the game. He can absorb the game mentally very well."
On the Hornets' second possession, a play called for Winton to run the ball. As he broke for the sideline, Winton saw the end zone. He suddenly was met by Spartans freshman defensive back Terrell Whitehead.
Winton, a shifty runner, went right. Whitehead, Winton remembers, went left.
As the two crumpled to the ground, Whitehead rolled on top of Winton, forcing his ankle to twist awkwardly.
"I didn't think it was broken," Winton said. "It felt like a sprain."
As it turned out, DSU didn't need Winton against a young Norfolk State team and won, 33-10. But Winton's status, and perhaps his career, remained in question.
DSU quarterback Vashon Winton (with ball) runs through drills with his offensive teammates in Friday's practice. Winton has recovered from a serious leg injury last November to start tonight's season opener
After injury, Winton set to return for season opener
DOVER -- Hobbling off the artificial turf last November at Dick Price Stadium in Norfolk, Va., Vashon Winton never doubted himself.
When he heard the extent of his injury, Winton stayed strong.
In the operating room, before he was put to sleep and the surgeon carved into his left leg, Winton still exuded confidence.
Almost a year after season-ending surgery to repair a broken fibula, a fractured tibia and a torn ligament, Winton, a junior quarterback at Delaware State, says the only thing he wants to remember about his injury last November is his confidence to return just as he departed: as the most important player to the Hornets' success.
"Sometimes," Winton said, "I even forget which leg I hurt."
Winton, a 6-foot-2, 195-pounder from Chicago's Simeon High, holds a lot in his hands. With him, the Hornets -- who open the season tonight against nonconference Coastal Carolina -- could be among the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference teams vying for the regular-season championship.
Without Winton, the 2005 MEAC rookie of the year, DSU's season could be in doubt. But he had no doubts he would be on the Alumni Stadium field tonight.
For Winton, that realization was built one month at a time.
Nov. 11, 2006
"All I saw was the end zone. I just wanted to reach the end zone."
It was the Hornets' 10th game of the season. Two weeks prior, they celebrated one of the program's biggest wins under coach Al Lavan, a 10-9 victory over MEAC title contender South Carolina State.
Facing Norfolk State, DSU was closing in on a share of the school's first MEAC title since 1991. Winton had a lot to do with it.
"I've always been very pleased with Vashon," Lavan said. "One thing about him, he's always understood the game. He can absorb the game mentally very well."
On the Hornets' second possession, a play called for Winton to run the ball. As he broke for the sideline, Winton saw the end zone. He suddenly was met by Spartans freshman defensive back Terrell Whitehead.
Winton, a shifty runner, went right. Whitehead, Winton remembers, went left.
As the two crumpled to the ground, Whitehead rolled on top of Winton, forcing his ankle to twist awkwardly.
"I didn't think it was broken," Winton said. "It felt like a sprain."
As it turned out, DSU didn't need Winton against a young Norfolk State team and won, 33-10. But Winton's status, and perhaps his career, remained in question.
DSU quarterback Vashon Winton (with ball) runs through drills with his offensive teammates in Friday's practice. Winton has recovered from a serious leg injury last November to start tonight's season opener
Nov. 13, 2006
"I don't think there was any doubt I'd come back normal."
Two breaks. Both clean. Couldn't hope for anything better, Winton was told.
Fibula, broken. Tibia, fractured. One ligament, torn.
Winton points to just above his left ankle. He said the X-ray displayed a quarter-inch gap on his fibula where the actual break took place.
DSU's coaching staff initially believed Winton would be out a year. They said that if he stayed to his regimen of therapy, he might return sooner.
Winton said he instinctively knew he'd need surgery. But he had never had an injury that required an operation.
"I was nervous," he said. "It was just something I knew I had to do."
Lavan, whose NFL career ended due to an injury, understood.
"It's the unknown that can be very scary," Lavan said. "His was a leg injury. Those are your wheels, you know? Every step he takes is critical."
Winton said he constantly secured help from his teammates. Lineman Addison Wright, whom he knew from Chicago, would bus food to Winton from the school cafeteria.
Returning to the field was going to take time, however. With his focus squarely on playing again, Winton remained positive.
"Yeah, that's me," Winton said. "Everyone knows it's me. That's my confidence."
January 2007
"I wanted to come back sooner. If the bone healed better, I would have."
By January, Winton was back at DSU, off crutches, for winter classes. Trainers let him lift weights and take part in a water therapy program.
Lavan believes DSU's success depends on Winton's recovery.
"The process of his rehab, its cumulative effects, it has all pleased me," Lavan said.
Last season, Winton completed 99-of-167 passes for 1,171 yards. He threw two interceptions. Most importantly, he rushed for 234 yards and seven touchdowns.
The play on which he was injured -- a basic quarterback keeper -- is something the Hornets need him to execute successfully if they are to compete for the MEAC title.
Spring practice, in April, is a crucial time for developing players or athletes recovering from injury. However, Winton was not allowed to participate in full-speed plays.
Sitting out led to something Winton didn't expect. He became more enlightened.
Ideas bounced in his head. He saw mistakes he was making. And he found solutions.
Just watching, Winton said, will make a noticeable difference this season. And it all started, he said, in November.
"I never doubted myself," he said. "I knew it was a season-ending injury, but luckily that only meant one game for me. I just kept believing."
No comments:
Post a Comment