Robby Felix trying to earn job 3 years after stroke

[Jetsfan80]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/jets-offensive-lineman-robby-felix-trying-to-earn-job-3-years-after-stroke/2011/08/20/gIQA7lSASJ_story.html

Jets offensive lineman Robby Felix trying to earn job 3 years after stroke

By Associated Press

Updated: Saturday, August 20, 1:37 PM

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Robby Felix was in a hospital bed nearly three years ago when he heard the four words that still seem unbelievable to him.

“You had a stroke,” the New York Jets offensive lineman recalled being told by doctors.

It was a stunning diagnosis for a guy who was 22, had just played his last home game for the University of Texas-El Paso and was hoping to be among the top centers taken in the 2009 NFL draft.

“I knew strokes were for, like, old people and that they’re pretty bad,” Felix said. “But I never knew how bad.”

Until that day in November 2008, when Felix stepped into the shower at his home two hours after the Miners beat SMU.

“The right side of my body went completely numb,” he said. “I kind of blacked out, but caught myself somehow. I couldn’t speak and I was just like, ‘What the heck is going on?’”

Scared, he balanced himself on one leg, hopped out of the shower and managed to get to his wife, Kelly, who called 911. Felix stayed in the hospital for six days and underwent a battery of tests, unable to walk or talk.

“I didn’t think I’d ever play football again,” Felix said. “That’s what the doctors said. Just to be at this point of where I am right now is pretty incredible. That was a pretty tough time in my life. It just kind of happened out of nowhere.”

Today, Felix is hoping for a chance to stick with the Jets as a backup lineman and possibly fill the role vacated by Rob Turner, who broke his right leg in New York’s preseason opener at Houston. He spent last season on the Jets’ practice squad and will get an opportunity to further prove himself Sunday against Cincinnati as Nick Mangold’s backup at center.

“When Rob went down, Robby just jumped right in there, like it was no big deal,” coach Rex Ryan said. “You look at what he’s been through in his life, it really is no big deal.”

For about a year after the stroke, Felix thought about it all the time — especially when he took a shower.

“I’d have phantom symptoms,” he said. “You know, like when you close your eyes and wash your hair, you kind of get unbalanced and I’d think ‘stroke’ every time.”

Felix said doctors were never able to pinpoint what caused the blood clot in his brain. He felt fine during the SMU game. Felix wonders if all the ibuprofen he was taking for chronic shin splints was a factor.

Today, he has no residual effects from the stroke. He must take one aspirin tablet each day and stay well-hydrated as part of his daily regimen. Felix was told there’s no guarantee he won’t have another stroke, but that possibility is far from his mind now.

“This is my third camp and every day that goes by just pushes it further and further away,” he said. “I just thank God for giving me this opportunity to be able to walk and talk and play football again.”

At first, Felix could understand when people spoke to him, but he was unable to respond.

“I’d sit on the bed and just keep falling over to the right and I couldn’t do anything about it,” he said. “When I felt my arm, it was like I was touching someone else’s arm.”

[visajets]

Ok now im officially rooting for this guy to make the team.

[Vudu]

GO FELIX!!!!!!!!

[Schmidt]

GOOD LUCK Robby Felix !!!!

[spjets]

Ok now im officially rooting for this guy to make the team.

im with ya....how can u not????

GO FELIX !!!

[CoachTsurfing]

now if he can play that'd be even better. I love the underdog player.

[TNJet]

Well that settles it, if this guy can overcome that type of obstacle in his life he can definately be a dependable nfl linemen.