Fozzy Whittaker's Texas Career Over After ACL, MCL Tears
by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Nov 13, 2011 7:22 PM CST
in Texas Longhorns Football
Email
PrintThe injury suffered by Texas running back Fozzy Whittaker was just as bad as expected in the moment, as the senior leader will miss the rest of his final season as a Longhorn with tears of his ACL and MCL in his right knee, the school announced Sunday evening.
Whittaker finally fulfilled the expectations placed on him by many in the fanbase as a senior, taking advantage of the offseason conditioning program under Bennie Wylie to strengthen his shoulder and add to step to his speed. With nine touchdowns on the season, Whittaker leads the team and was providing a major boost to the struggling Texas redzone offense with his work out of the Wildcat.
More than just his production on the field, which included kickoff returns in two consecutive games, Whittaker had grown into a leader and a mentor for the young Texas running backs this season. In fact, Whittaker was probably the leader for the entire offense and his injury clearly took a great deal out of not only the offense, but the entire team. Following the game, at least two teammates indicated that they walked over to him and told him that they love him after his injury.
Despite the loss, the team still has three regular-season games and a bowl game left to play without Whittaker and will have to move forward. Replacing Whittaker on kick returns may be possible, but his ability to run the Wildcat may be more difficult to replace. Will Texas move Mykkele Thompson over to the offensive side of the ball to work as the trigger man or use Malcolm Brown or Joe Bergeron there?
44 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Great Longhorn
And an even better person. Hoping he fully recovers and be even stronger.
Burnt Orange Nation
Follow Along on Twitter @TXStampede
GD it
I was hoping against hope.
Losing when the other team is better I can live with.
Straight up, or just with Joe, Fozzy and Shipley we roll Missouri.
I guess the concerns of how will Gray get carries goes out the window when you realize you can lose everyone in the blink of an eye.
Just bad luck plain and simple.
I would have traded Fozzy for no Brown the rest of the way.
He was that important.
I'm also saddened by his loss
But anyone who thinks Texas steamrolls Missouri if healthy is significantly underestimating Missouri to the point of delusion, particularly considering Mizzou was far from full strength themselves and still managed the win.
Thanks Foz
Get well soon and thanks for fighting hard all these years. Keep your head up.
dammit Fozzy doesnt deserve this
hopefully he’ll get well soon so he can go tear it up in the NFL. every single Longhorn fan will love Fozzy for everything he’s done for Texas he gave it his all every game.
Hook’em Fozzy
formerly "Horns102591"
Really sad
He was really hitting his stride… Best of luck to him in the future. Horns up for you, Fozzy!
thanks fozzy
I can say you put a smile on my face and I have son who you have made smile once a week this year. We both wish you the best.
by codaxx on Nov 13, 2011 7:51 PM CST via mobile reply actions
All the best to The Fozz. Loved watching him each year but this year was special.
Sorry it ended early for him. Speedy Recovery!!
3rd Degree Longhorn
Very Sad!
His leadership will be greatly missed but I will always remember his tenacity and perseverance over the past few years. Additionally, his willingness to put the team first and be a mentor to the young players, especially Brown and Bergeron.
Follow me on Twitter: @texascfo
Burnt Orange Nation
From Pearland to UT
I’ve been following the Foz. Huge courage will bring him back for the NFL.
Proud of your offense? Manny badger don't give a shit!
So long, Mythical Fozzy Creature
Hopefully you can still make some money on Sundays
http://www.twitter.com/orlansky_40as
http://www.twitter.com/JayMashBON
So impressed
with his improvement this year. Really fun to watch. Will be missed and this team has a huge gap to fill. Glad we won’t have to play on that Mizzou turf anymore.
Would add
That Missouri beat writer Dave Matter tweeted this evening that the turf at Faurot Field was installed in 2003 and has a 10-year shelf life. Appears that might have expired. Also, Longhorn Digest publisher Kevin Flaherty joked this evening that he’s out for six weeks after walking on the turf, while adding that SA Express-New Texas beat writer Mike Finger is out for three. Seems that reports out of Columbia are essentially unanimous that the turf there is terrible.
Follow me on Twitter: @GhostofBigRoy
Burnt Orange Nation
by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Nov 13, 2011 8:23 PM CST reply actions
Oops
Meant that Mike Finger is day-to-day. Still.
Follow me on Twitter: @GhostofBigRoy
Burnt Orange Nation
by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Nov 13, 2011 8:23 PM CST up reply actions
Addendum no. 2
Matter just tweeted that Missouri may replace the field next season. Early reports from Fozzy’s knee is that the effort there will be too little, too late, but at least that’s some recognition from the school about the problem. Too bad only the SEC will benefit.
Follow me on Twitter: @GhostofBigRoy
Burnt Orange Nation
by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Nov 13, 2011 8:25 PM CST up reply actions
Yup
One of my roommates is a walk-on on the team and was hanging out with Fozzy for a while last night. He said that Fozzy not only had ACL and MCL tears but also tore his meniscus as well. Also he said that the Texas A.D. complained to the NCAA about the turf. Apparently the turf at Faurot Field is FieldTurf and that company warranties the turf for only 8 years, but claim it lasts for 10.
Hopefully Fozzy can bounce back
His effort this season was pointing towards an NFL career. Will be hoping for a successful rehab effort and the attention of the NFL. He was showing speed, power, and vision this year, not to mention leasership. He will definitly be missed in the Longhorn backfield.
yep
I knew exacting what it was going to be after watching the replay of how his knee buckled. I knew it would be both the ACL and MCL. I didn’t need a MRI for that. Good luck Fozzy. I hope you can recover from this and get a shot in the NFL if you so desire.
by Ryan2907 on Nov 13, 2011 9:11 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Brown & Bergeron
Now I understand why Brown didn’t want Brown and Bergeron to play at Missouri. With the condition of their field, they might have hurt their knees also.
by Ryan2907 on Nov 13, 2011 9:30 PM CST via mobile reply actions
It sucks to see Fozzy go down like that
I was hoping he’d finally beat that injury bug. Peace out Captain America.
TEXAS FIGHT
I hope Fozzy reads this and knows what he means to all of us fan
Thank you Fozzy for all you’ve done for us and our school. Long live Captain America!!!
Cut!
No. No. No, man.
You're making me fall asleep.
To death, bro! -Ghandi
by TexasGarcia37 on Nov 13, 2011 10:09 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Keep your head up
Your an amazing back Fozzy, hope you have a speedy recovery, brighter days ahead man.
Great player
And even better person… I have a good feeling we’ll see fozzy on Sundays…
by drobe86 on Nov 13, 2011 10:28 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Hoping and praying...
What are Fozzy’s chances of being drafted at this point? I pray that he makes it into the NFL…would love to see him on Sunday’s.
I can handle the game loss…losing such a great player and leader that way though, that’s a much tougher pill to swallow. Get well Fozzy…we’re all gonna miss seeing you out there in Burnt Orange.
I guess the only upshot with this (if there is any at all) is that we’ll be preparing our offense for Fozzy’s absence out of sheer necessity earlier than next year. :(
Horns up, and God bless, Fozz
If you ever see these posts please know how much we all appreciate the tireless work you have put in for our beloved University, and how respected you are for the class, dignity, courage and character with which you have always carried yourself. I can’t imagine how difficult this time is, but pease remember that lesser men aren’t given such tests and you will, as always, prevail and thrive.
Thank you, heel up, and always know you have the love of the burnt orange nation.
Hook ’Em
Terrible News
Fozzy Whittaker has become one of my all-time favorite Longhorns. My wife and I love to watch Fozzy play. We were in attendance at the game on Saturday, and witnessing the injury broke both of our hearts. We had the opportunity to meet Fozzy and his mom after the Texas vs. Missouri game in 2009. Fozzy was fantastic with the fans and happily obliged to pose for pictures and sign autographs. I hope he has a full recovery and I would love to see him playing in the NFL on Sundays. Hook’em Fozzy.
by Horns Up in St Louis on Nov 14, 2011 5:25 AM CST reply actions
I almost choke up...
When I pause and think deeply, tears almost shed out. Anyway you look at it, my heart broke. What a great player with great heart. Great kid with the true Longhorns’ spirit ===> TEXAS FIGHT!
Fozzy, we will never forget what you had done for the Horns. You will surely missed and my prayers wish you the best in NFL. May God speedy your recovery.
Horns up!
there are only a small handful of athletes
who for some reason transcend the screen and touch me emotionally as if i was friends with them…Fozzy this year was one of them…I hope he recovers and has a great NFL career…if he does not i wish him well in whatever line of work he chooses and i truly hope someday he will be on the sidelines at Memorial stadium as a coach or in a similar manner working for UT…my heart goes out to him
Pardon the typos. Where is the splchec?
All new states are infested, more or less, by a class of noisy, second-rate men who are always in favor of rash and extreme measures, but Texas was absolutely overrun by such men. --Sam Houston--
Any chance for a medical waiver and another year? ala Shipley?
Because being a Texas fan means never having to say you're sorry.
hang in there foz
lots of life after football, hook’em always and look forward to a little foz playing too
Sad news
One of my favorite Horns over the past few years, both on and off the field. Wish him luck in the association.
Horns up for the Mythical Fozzy Creature.
Hell of a player. Will definitely be missed. Here’s to a successful NFL career for him.
Me: "Hunny, how much is our Wedding budget?"
Fiance`"No, You can't have Craig Way call our wedding.."
Me: "Damnit.."
So sorry to hear this
Kid was a devoted player and seemed to be the complete definition of a team player. Get well soon!
this has been a bad year for the Big 12 RB playmakers
Fozzy for us, Michael for A&M and Josey for Mizzou have all had season ending injuries in the last 2 weeks
According to Wikipedia You Don't Exist!
Sorry here, too
It was nice to see him finally get his due after all the little nagging injuries of the past. Hope for a complete recovery. Maybe he should get in touch with Barron Batch, who is a few months ahead of him in the same recovery process.
"I’ve established a reputation for integrity. I have maintained those high standards" - Craig James
Duh! Baron, not Barron
And here’s his latest blog entry on running for the first time since surgery.
http://baronbatch.blogspot.com/2011/11/diary-36-left-right-left-will-get-you.html
"I’ve established a reputation for integrity. I have maintained those high standards" - Craig James
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Burnt Orange Nation
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
