Auburn, Ala.--On Thanksgiving Auburn football player Zac Etheridge says he has plenty to be thankful about even though he isn’t sure he will ever be able to play the game he loves with a passion.
The junior safety notes that he is excited about the possibility of being on the Auburn sideline on Friday for his team’s annual rivalry game vs. the Alabama Crimson Tide. Wearing a neck brace and harness that severely limits his mobility, he was recently given the okay to increase his activities.
“I am going to definitely try to get down there on the sidelines for the game so I can get on the field again and support the guys,” Etheridge says. “I am feeling good, my spirits are high. I am just glad to be here. The doctor said everything is looking good and am ahead of schedule. I am hoping to make a full recovery. I hope to get out of this brace soon.”
The Auburn player says he is thankful he can be around his teammates again and says he is appreciative of the friendship and support he has received from his teammates, coaches as well as Auburn fans. "That means a lot to me," he says.
Etheridge suffered a cracked fifth vertebra in the Ole Miss game that ended his season and possibly his chance to play football again. However, Etheridge says he is fortunate. He credits Ole Miss running back Rodney Scott with having the good sense to lay still in the pile to not disturb the injured Auburn player until doctors could stabilize the defensive back to transport him off the field on a stretcher.
The Auburn junior has thanked Scott and Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt for Scott’s action during the game on Oct. 31st.
“Just this week the Doc finally said I could get out and do some things,” Etheridge says. “I?have been around practice helping the safeties making sure we get everything down with Coach Thig (Tommy Thigpen). It’s been great seeing the guys at practice. The guys have been coming by to shake my hand and have been very supportive.”
Etheridge is realistic about his football future. “We just don’t know if I will be able to play again,” he points out. “I am just taking it day by day. I am just glad to be able to walk around and do everything right now.”
If he isn’t cleared to play football, he still wants to be around the game. “I do want to coach,” says Etheridge, who is scheduled to graduate in December and will be able to return to classes after the university ends its Thanksgiving break on Monday.
Etheridge has been a key contributor for the Tigers for three seasons after an outstanding high school career at Charles Henderson High in Troy.
Etheridge was among Auburn’s top tacklers when he was injured and when he went down the Tigers lost one of their most experienced players. He had started 33 consecutive games for the Tigers at safety.
Auburn head coach Gene Chizik talks to sophomore linebacker Eltoro Freeman (left) and defensive graduate assistant coach Travis Williams (right) during the football team's Thanksgiving meal on Thursday at the indoor practice facility.
With Etheridge out and safeties Mike McNeil and Drew Cole out with injuries, the Tigers moved cornerback Demond Washington to safety for the Furman game. He started his second game vs. Georgia in Auburn’s last outing. Etheridge notes that he was impressed. “Demond played outstanding for his first time being at safety in a real big game,” he says.
Washington will be called to fill in again for Etheridge on Friday as the Tigers and Tide square off at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. CDT.
Premium Subscription Signup
Subscribe to Magazine Only
