For his entire Longhorn career, Fozzy Whittaker fought the injury bug. Nagging injuries caused him to miss games his first three seasons.
An intense off-season after last year’s 5-7 horror show paid off in a big way this season. Fozzy was bigger and faster, and turned into a force both returning kicks and running the Wild Fozzy for the Longhorns.
On Saturday, a sub-par surface at Faurot Field took him out for the season. As soon as I saw the replay, I knew Fozzy’s days wearing a Longhorn uniform were over.
Whittaker planted on a two yard run in the first quarter of the game against the Missouri Tigers, and his knee buckled under him. It was reported yesterday evening that he tore both his ACL and MCL and will undergo surgery.
More important than Fozzy’s contributions on the field this season has been his contributions on the sideline, in the locker room, and during practice. He was unquestionably the emotional leader of this team.
Fortunately, that is a role he can and will continue to play.
In Mack Brown’s press conference today, he said that Fozzy plans to be in every team meeting for the rest of the season, and to be on the sidelines for every game.
I’m glad to hear that. The team needs him.
Fozzy graduated in three years, and is going to get a graduate degree, so I have no doubt he’s going to have a successful life, but I really hope he gets a chance to play on Sundays.
Here are some Fozzy plays that I shot this season from the stands…
Thanks for being such a great Longhorn, Fozzy!