“I was earnin’ and burnin’, snappin’ necks and cashing checks,” said senior offensive lineman Brandon Grachek. “Then my career was over.” Grachek suffered a distal fibula fracture in his ankle, in other words, a broken ankle. He said he fell while blocking in practice. “My knee twisted in, and then my ankle twisted, and then it popped,” he said. Grachek didn’t realize the severity of the injury, “At first, I thought it was a high ankle sprain, but when I sat down it started swelling really bad. It got to the point where any movement was extremely painful.”

Grachek had to have surgery for the first time in his life because of this injury. During surgery, Grachek had seven screws and a plate put in.  “After the surgery for two days, I could pinch my toes and have no feeling.” Grachek is now in a walking boot, although being told by many to get a scooter because it’s faster. “People tell me to get a scooter, but I don’t want to look like a whimp,” he said. He has to leave five minutes early for each class, has to use the elevator, and is unable to drive. “My mom has to drop me off at school, and it’s kind of embarrassing,” said Grachek.

“I’m not going to play at the next level, so I’m not ruining any opportunities,” Grachek said. “I’m just bummed that I don’t get to play.” While the injury is certainly not fun, Grachek thinks it might have happened for a reason. “Sometimes God works in mysterious ways. What if I would’ve played Friday night and broke my neck or something,” he said. Although Grachek can’t play football, he will still be able to participate in his other interests, musical, golf, and is considering swimming this winter. Grachek remains optimistic, “It’s a new opportunity; that’s how I look at it.”