Profiles in Courage - Neil Parry - The Spirit of The SJS Team

As I sat in the end zone at Spartan Stadium on that cool October night in 2000, I couldn't help thinking there was something seriously wrong. I had seen the last play where a huge 300+lb University of El Paso lineman had pushed one of our lineman on top of our safety, Neil Parry. But Parry wasn't getting up. Suddenly, I heard a scream and saw the paramedics rushing out onto the field. The stadium of 10,000 fans went silent. Then the ambulance came and onto the stretcher Neil was placed and strapped in. They left the field in a hurry with the red lights turning and the game eventually resumed. I don't remember the outcome, but read the newspapers the next day to learn Neil had suffered a severely broken leg. I in think it was the compound fracture kind where the bone protrudes from the skin. Days later, the news emerging from the Stanford Hospital, where he had been transported, had grown increasingly grim. Apparently, an infection had set in and gangrene was now taking hold of his leg, and the possibility of having it amputated was growing. In fact, his fibula and tibia pierced his skin. An infection set in and surgeons amputated the right leg just below the knee nine days later. It took the personable young man from Sonora, months just to learn to walk with the help of an artificial leg. Throughout the ordeal that included 25 surgeries, Parry vowed to play again even as others told him no. Parry waved off detractors. He also made it clear to then-coach Fitz Hill that he didn't want charity. If he played, Parry would have to earn it. Coach Fitz Hill left a full scholarship open for Neil if he decided to rejoin the team and play D1 football again. Eventually, Neil had to petition the NCAA to allow him to play with one leg, and they granted a special allowance for this condition.
The special-teams player finally was ready for a home game against Nevada on Sept. 18, 2003. Parry anxiously paced the sideline waiting for his chance. Only one problem: Nevada didn't punt for three quarters. But with 13:54 left, San Jose State's defense finally held the Wolf Pack. Parry sprinted onto the field as the home crowd chanted his name. He lined up at left tackle and looked for someone to block after the kick. Then it was over. The home crowd cheered. The away team cheered. Some cried. As I sat there stunned by the majesty of the moment, I couldn’t help thinking that I had just seen one of the most humbling acts of courage in all of college football.
I will never forget the night that Neil lost his leg, nor the game where he came back to play football once again. So, I tell you Auburn fans this small story because I want you to know that the boys San Jose State will not only show bravery in the way they play football, but that they are brave in the pursuit of life itself.