Herzlich then spent his afternoon at a local Chili's, sitting by himself while watching Boston College’s season opener. While a student at BC, Herzlich was one of the nation’s top defensive players in 2008. One year later, he was being treated for cancer and faced the possibility of never playing football again.
Herzlich his since recovered from his 2009 diagnosis of Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare bone cancer, in his left leg. He returned to college football last season. More than two years later, he still has the leg and still has a football career.
Both were in doubt at one point.
Herzlich’s NFL career continued after 6 p.m. on Saturday when his phone never rang, signaling that he officially became a member of the Giants — at least for now. He’s one of 10 rookies on the Giants roster, including all four that attended Saturday’s breakfast.
“I want to try to go from being a feel-good story to making an impact on the field,” Herzlich said. “That’s kind of the process, the transition now.”
Because as much as Herzlich has received attention for overcoming cancer, he wants to be viewed as another member of the team. There’s been an ongoing narrative since Herzlich returned to the football about whether he’d ever reach the NFL, and he understands the appeal to the story.
He was invited by the league to the April draft, butwas not selected. Because of the lockout, Herzlich could not sign with the Giants until the week training camp opened. His signing was encouraged by team president John Mara, a Boston College alum, but Mara emphasized that the team viewed Herzlich as a prospect.
Once the ACC defensive player of the year and a surefire first-round pick, Herzlich offered the talent that prompted general manager Jerry Reese to reveal the Giants hoped “to catch lightning in a bottle” by signing Herzlich.
On the first day of practice, Herzlich said reaching an NFL camp provided “a little bit of closure” to his story. The Giants tried Herzlich at each linebacker spot, and Herzlich spent August digesting the playbook. Head coach Tom Coughlin witnessed Herzlich improve “literally week by week.”
In four preseason games, Herzlich forced a fumble, grabbed an interception to prevent a touchdown and recorded a sack. His biggest influence on the team will likely come on special teams, unless injuries ravage the Giants starting linebackers. Herzlich is the only player on the roster besides Kiwanuka to play strongside linebacker during camp.
There’s a sense of relief for Herzlich that he will be viewed as an NFL player and not just a cancer survivor playing football. If he misses a tackle, he knows he’ll be criticized. If he recovers a fumble, he knows he’ll be praised.
“I expect (fans) to be (unhappy) if I make a bad play,” Herzlich said. “I’ll be (unhappy) at myself.”
Sash, whose locker is next to Herzlich’s, knew about Herzlich’s history when he arrived at camp. Sash drew inspiration from his locker mate, knowing he cannot complain on a bad day. But when he thinks about Herzlich now, he doesn’t think about the cancer. Sash has not heard Herzlich discuss the recovery from cancer because “in his mind, he’s over that, too.” And though Herzlich’s history will remain attached to his name, yesterday’s first practice on the 53-man roster started the next chapter in his comeback.
“Your story’s never over because when you talk about the story, that’s actually my life,” Herzlich said. “Maybe the book is getting toward the end of the chapter. But that’s my life. And that’s going to keep on going and lots of changes are going to happen whether it’s related to football or what.”
No comments:
Post a Comment