Nov. 19, 2009
By John Denton
UCFAthletics.com
UCF linebacker Jordan Richards has had three concussions, surgeries on both shoulders, two surgeries on his left ankle, a broken right leg and a procedure where his skull was sliced open to relieve pressure on his brain.
And then, of course, there was the scary moment back on Sept. 26, when Richards took a knee to the helmet and was knocked unconscious. He was taken off the field that day on a stretcher, a moment that was assuredly horrifying to the dozen friends and family he had in the crowd while playing in his native North Carolina.
But for all the bumps, bruises and breaks that Richards has been through, he said that nothing will compare to the hurt he will feel over the next couple of weeks as his football career at UCF winds to a close. Senior Day is Saturday with UCF (6-4) facing Tulane and Richards is already contemplating the emotion that moment will spark.
"Playing football is my favorite thing to do in the world," Richards said candidly. "Playing football and being around my family is all I want, and I consider these guys on the team my family. Once the season comes to an end it will be very bittersweet for me, but I'll always have all of these memories. I'll cherish it the rest of my life."
Richards' love for the game and devotion to his teammates and coaches are evident when you consider what he's fought though to get to Saturday's Senior Day. The fifth-year senior has had four seasons interrupted by injuries. But he's come back each time, anxious to get back on the field and back around his teammates.
Those same teammates marvel at his willingness to battle through the pain just to play football.
"He's one of the only guys I know who will literally use his body as a weapon and not care," fellow senior Travis Timmons said. "He's a tough guy."
Growing up in Cary, N.C., Richards' said all he dreamed about as a child was someday playing college football. He said that he is living proof that dreams do come true - even if he's had to endure a few nightmares along the way.
"It's absolutely the love of the game because there's no place that I'd rather be than the football field," said the 6-foot-2, 225-pound outside linebacker. "Even though I've had multiple injuries - you name it and I've had it - it doesn't matter to me. I was determined not to let a few injuries keep me off the field."
But the scary moment against East Carolina did just that for two games this season. Richards was in the midst of one of the finest games of his college career with nine tackles, two stops for losses and a forced fumble. But when he broke through the line in the second half and dove low for a tackle, ECU tailback Giavanni Ruffin's knee hit Richards in the helmet. Instantly, he was knocked out and doctors initially feared possible neck damage when he wasn't moving.
When Richards came to, UCF head coach George O'Leary got a glimpse into just how competitive the senior linebacker really is. ``He wanted to know what yard-line he was on and if he made the tackle,'' O'Leary remembered.
Richards said watching the play on videotape later was equal parts surreal, scary and downright touching.
"For me it wasn't so scary at the time because I was knocked out and didn't know what was going on," Richards said. "But I know for a fact that my family was scared to death.
"It was weird seeing it (on video) because I don't remember the play at all. It was a knee to the head and it was probably my fault because I dropped my head," he continued. "When I watched the game later on and I could see how concerned the whole team was. Coach (Scott) Sinclair and Coach (David) Kelly they said a little prayer for me and I thought that was such a nice gesture."
Richards sat out the next two games with lingering headaches and nausea, but he was back on the field for the past four games. He has 19 tackles for the season and couldn't imagine finishing out his senior season that being on the field doing what he loves most.
"It's been a blast," he said. "I wouldn't change a thing."
John Denton's Knights Insider appears on UCFathletics.com several times a week. E-mail John at jdenton@athletics.ucf.edu.