La Tech RB Ryan Moats' Story
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 11:34 pmHere is a portion of a USA Today article on Ryan Moats and how lucky he is to be able to walk properly, much less lead the WAC in rushing. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/ ... oats_x.htm
Moats' career almost ended in high school. As a sophomore at Bishop Lynch in Dallas, he developed a staph infection that settled on his femur, requiring surgery.
"It was just a freaky thing," he says. "I had a severe cold one night and tried to play instead of sitting out. I got hit on the leg, and it somehow set up right there on my femur."
Doctors told him he would probably not be able to play football again following an operation that saved his leg. Moats began what he calls "crazy rehab" as soon as he was cleared to run:
"I was just relentless in the weight room every day. I just thank God for giving me a second chance. He really showed me what football meant to me during that period."
Moats went on to become the all-time leading rusher at Bishop Lynch.
Now, the 5-9, 210-pound player is on his way to etching his name in Louisiana Tech's record book. His 1,300-yard campaign last season is the school's second best.
Moats' career almost ended in high school. As a sophomore at Bishop Lynch in Dallas, he developed a staph infection that settled on his femur, requiring surgery.
"It was just a freaky thing," he says. "I had a severe cold one night and tried to play instead of sitting out. I got hit on the leg, and it somehow set up right there on my femur."
Doctors told him he would probably not be able to play football again following an operation that saved his leg. Moats began what he calls "crazy rehab" as soon as he was cleared to run:
"I was just relentless in the weight room every day. I just thank God for giving me a second chance. He really showed me what football meant to me during that period."
Moats went on to become the all-time leading rusher at Bishop Lynch.
Now, the 5-9, 210-pound player is on his way to etching his name in Louisiana Tech's record book. His 1,300-yard campaign last season is the school's second best.
