Christian Anthony to Return to Campus Next Week

GRAMBLING, LA --- Christian Anthony, Grambling State University’s All-American defensive lineman who was recently admitted to the North Louisiana Medical Center for chest pains, is headed to his home state of Alabama for a few days after being treated and released by the medical facility in Ruston.

According to head football coach Rod Broadway, Anthony will return to the university next week for classes. He added that Anthony has not been cleared to return to the field, but says he remains a member of the team.

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Grambling's Christian Anthony hospitalized after apparent heart attack

Grambling defender Christian Anthony, the Southwestern Athletic Conference's preseason defensive player of the year, was hospitalized after suffering an apparent heart attack Thursday afternoon. He is listed in stable condition at Northern Louisiana Medical Center, university officals said.

Anthony suffered chest pains around 4:30 p.m. after practicing with the team from 8:30-11 a.m. GSU Director of Public Relations Vanessa Littleton said there was no indication that the incident was heat-related, and that Anthony showed no signs of distress when the team went to a meeting room to cool down and hydrate around 11:30 a.m.

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GSU defense is no one-man show

Christian Anthony gets all the headlines for the Grambling defense, and rightfully so. The Tigers' star defensive end is the reigning SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, and is expected to take the award home again this year. Last season, Anthony had 76 total tackles (55 solo), 15 tackles for loss, eight sacks, five interceptions, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and two defensive touchdowns.

But there's more to Grambling's defense than just Anthony. One player who is extremely effective, but doesn't get as much recognition, is defensive end Kendall Robinson. Robinson had seven tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks last season, and along with Anthony, he creates a formidable tandem for the GSU front four. "He's not as flashy as Christian, but he's started for us for four years," Grambling head coach Rod Broadway said. "He doesn't get nearly enough due."

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All-SWAC team not much changed

With Prairie View quarterback K.J. Black and Grambling defensive end Christian Anthony, 2009 SWAC offensive and defensive players of the year returning, it's no surprise the preseason 2010 All-SWAC preseason team looked similar — especially since PV and Alabama A&M were selected to repeat as respective division champions.

Anthony was a dominant defensive force who finished 10th in the league with 76 tackles and third overall in both sacks (8.0) and tackles-for-loss (15.0) in 2009. From the defensive lineman position he recorded five interceptions and returned two of them for touchdowns. He led the league in fumbles forced with five, and he recovered three loose balls.

Black was last years' premier offensive threat in the SWAC, leading the Panthers to their first conference title in nearly half a century. Black threw for 225.9 yards per game and led the league in pass efficiency by nearly 30 points at 172.8. He tossed 22 TDs with just four interceptions.

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Anthony's decision boosts GSU's hopes‎

GRAMBLING, LA — As Grambling's Black and Gold Spring Game was wrapping up last Saturday, so was the final day of the 2010 NFL Draft. GSU defensive end Christian Anthony very well could have heard his name called in the draft had he chosen for forego his final year of eligibility with the Tigers. But his mother had other plans. "The first thing I did after the Bayou Classic was I sat down and talked with my mom, and we had a little discussion," Anthony said. "She wanted me to finish school, and then go on from there. What's another six or seven months?"

Grambling State’s star defensive end Christian Anthony (#90) chose to forego the NFL Draft and return to GSU for his senior year to graduate.

It sounds like Anthony's motivations for returning for his senior year extend beyond academics. He also wants to finish his athletic career on a high note. He was a key player on a GSU defense that paved the way to a SWAC championship in 2008, but the Tigers had a disappointing 2009 season, including mid-season loss to Prairie View A&M that essentially knocked the Tigers out of title contention. "That's all I need is motivation," Anthony said. "There's always motivation, especially with Prairie View." At 6-foot-3 and 277 pounds, Anthony certainly looks the part of an NFL draft pick.

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