TE Larry Donnell
April 26, 2016
Q: Does it feel good to be back out there?
A: I’m feeling great, wonderful. It’s been too many days. It just feels awesome to be back on this grass running around again, being able to play the game that I love.
Q: What were you able to do this offseason?
A: First thing was handling my neck and healing up. That was first and that took awhile. It’s not one of those things that I could rush. I had to just wait for it to heal up so I could get back to doing the things that would prepare me to play football.
Q: What was it like not knowing what was going to happen when your neck was healing?
A: I’m from Alabama and we break bones all the time, so I’m used to it. I was just ready for it to heal so I could get back to playing, but unfortunately that wasn’t the case. This one took a little bit longer and I had to wait for it to heal and I’m glad I did make that decision. I’m ready to go now.
Q: You broke a bone in your neck?
A: Not my neck. It was a little minor stuff.
Q: What was the exact issue?
A: It was a situation that was worse than what I had expected. It just took a little longer to heal.
Q: It wasn’t a broken bone?
A: To a certain extent. I’m just glad it’s healed now.
Q: Was it your neck or your back?
A: My neck.
Q: I’d imagine it was scary.
A: Yeah. It was a shock. Nobody wants to have any type of injury, especially when you want to play the game that you love every Sunday. That was the big part about it; not being able to play.
Q: Is it going to be hard to take it out of your mind when contact starts taking place?
A: No. That’s why I’m back here today. That’s over with now. I made the decision to play football and I don’t know where I’d be without it. It’s what I love to do, so I’m ready to go.
Q: How much did you feel that you would maybe not play again?
A: I had all the faith in the world that I would be able to play again. It was just a matter of getting the go-ahead so I could get back out here.
