Robert Gilmore feature

[PonyPride]

Because the homepage is still being re-configured, here's a story from Thursday's Dallas Morning News:

Recovery has been series of tests for Gilmore

08/01/2002
By ROB HARMAN / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

A college football player usually enters his freshman season with a lot of questions.

To Robert Gilmore, headed to SMU on Aug. 4, worries about playing time and adjusting to college life are minimal. After the year he's been through, the 2002 Trinity graduate simply is glad to be returning to the field.

"I'm just waiting for my doctor to release me," said Gilmore, who lost his senior season to major knee reconstruction. "Once he does, whatever comes, comes."

Gilmore always has had that free-and-easy attitude. But his temperament has been tested since that fateful, and painful, day of June 23, 2001.

He was at an invitation-only football camp at Oklahoma. The final series of passing drills was nearly over. Gilmore cut in line to get one last chance. It turned out to be the last play of the camp ... and of Gilmore's high school career.

Now, Gilmore arrives at Pennington Field or Trinity High School at 7 a.m. every day for a 2 1/2-hour workout, running bleachers and doing anything he can do to strengthen the knee. He returns each afternoon for more grueling work.

Euless Junior High coach Dennis Harris, who works with the Trinity track sprinters, said Gilmore could be faster than before. Gilmore could run a 4.4 in 40 yards during his all-district junior year as Trojans cornerback.

"I'm not a good judge of myself, [but] next week I want to try to time my 40," Gilmore said. "I'm ahead of where my doctor thought I would be at this time. I feel healthy enough to show up on the first day, run the 40 and be one of the leaders of their freshman recruits."

Gilmore was recruited by and committed to SMU coach Mike Cavan. When Cavan was replaced by Phil Bennett after last season, Gilmore feared for a short time his injury could cost him his scholarship. Bennett allayed those fears quickly.

"The day he got the deal, he called me that day and brought me down to his office," Gilmore said. "He didn't have to do that. I respect him for that."

For SMU, deciding to honor Gilmore's scholarship was easy.

"Just the way he carries himself, the type of person and student he is, we felt that he's a can't-miss guy for SMU," SMU recruiting coordinator Johnny Ringo said.

SMU is considering a redshirt year for Gilmore, although Ringo said a decision hasn't been made. Gilmore said he would have no problem redshirting for a year.

Eric Roark, SMU defensive backs coach, wasn't surprised by that statement.

"Robert is a bright young man with outstanding talent and tremendous leadership qualities," Roark said. "The persistence and patience he has shown over the past year in overcoming adversity was a tough pill for anyone to swallow.

"By doing so, Robert has proven that he is of tremendous character, a trait that this coaching staff places a lot of value on."

Gilmore, who plans to major in business, was student council president and a National Honor Society member. He represented Trinity at a Leadership Council conference in Washington, D.C.

Gilmore missed playing in the state semifinals his senior season but supported his teammates every step of the way.

"Robert's presence was very important to his teammates – they just loved being around him," said Trinity coach Steve Lineweaver. "He was so looking forward to leading us his senior year. The kids loved to see him overcome his grief and think of others, to cheer them on like he did. It was special."

Being able to overcome the adversity should help Gilmore in the future.

"It was really hard," Gilmore said. "But I think it made me stronger mentally – because before I got hurt, I thought things couldn't have been any better. Coaches were calling me. I was being recruited. I had good grades. And I thought the sky was the limit.

"But then to be knocked down and having to rebuild, you appreciate things more."


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[NavyCrimson]

hang in guys........i have your message board bookmarked so i'm still touching base!

[WildHorse]

Good work, Navy/Crimson. I've done the same. Pass the word to other PonyFans.

And thanks for posting this story in Gilmore. I saw it in the paper and was going to do the same. My nephew has played against Gilmore, and said he's the best DB he's ever seen. And my nephew isn't an SMU fan (yet!), so that's a nice, unbiased opinion.

Hope his knee comes back stronger than ever.

[Hoofprint]

Somehow I missed that story in the paper. Sounds like he has tons of ability.

Has anyone been out to see the freshmen work out? Is Gilmore working out with the team?