TaborJet Posted April 15, 2007 Share Posted April 15, 2007 Hello, again After 6 seasons out of football, Wadsworth is Jet set on comeback By RICH CIMINI DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Sunday, April 15th 2007, 4:00 AM Life without football? At one time, Andre Wadsworth was okay with that, he really was. The proof is contained in a letter he wrote as a 12th-grade student in advanced-placement English, 15 years ago. The assignment was to write about future goals, and Wadsworth filled five pages, describing how he wanted to earn a college degree in finance and open his own business. He barely mentioned football, except to note he was only days away from the final game of his senior season - his last hurrah. "This is the last time I ever suit up for sports," he wrote. Turns out that Wadsworth was just getting started. He went to Florida State as a walk-on, developed into an all-America defensive end and became the third overall pick by the Cardinals in the 1998 draft. Somewhere between walking on and walking away - actually, he limped away because of ravaged knees - football became more than a 12th-grade crush. Football became a soul mate, but it left him after only three NFL seasons. Now he wants it back before it's too late. Wadsworth is 32, with knees that belong in the Smithsonian, but he's attempting what could be an unprecedented comeback. After six seasons away from the game, Wadsworth is a walk-on again, trying to make the Jets' roster as a minimum-salaried free agent. He signed a non-guaranteed contract last month that would pay him $1.2 million for two years. The once-feared pass rusher has a chance to re-write the ending to his career, a rare opportunity in the cut-throat business of the NFL. If he makes the team, his story would be worthy of the big screen. That he made it this far, after all the tears and setbacks, is something special. "It's a miracle," Wadsworth said the other day. "This, to me, is a miracle." That may not be too much of an overstatement, considering his medical history. By the time he submitted his retirement papers in 2001, Wadsworth had undergone four knee operations, he confirmed. That included a complicated microfracture surgical procedure on his right knee, the third surgery on that knee. He cried that day, when the doctor advised him to quit football and get on with his life. "I'll never forget that moment," Wadsworth said. "It hurt a lot." He declined to discuss his post-2001 medical dossier, but, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, Wadsworth has undergone surgery "several" times since leaving the Cards. Unbeknownst to many, he tore both Achilles' tendons years ago in the early stages of his attempted comeback. It would've been easy to surrender and retire to his comfortable life in Arizona - he has a wife, two kids and a growing business portfolio that includes five car dealerships in Florida. But Wadsworth refused to quit. He didn't want to live with the torment of "What if?" "For Andre, it's not about money," Roosevelt Barnes, Wadsworth's longtime agent, said by phone. "It's about peace of mind." Some might think he's nuts, risking permanent damage to chase a young man's dream, but there's something you must know about Wadsworth: His competitiveness, which carried him from a 6-2, 217-pound kid with no scholarship offers to a 6-4, 275-pound stud who was hailed as the next Bruce Smith, didn't die in that operating room six years ago. Risk, be damned. "I don't live my life based on fear and speculation," said Wadsworth, a spiritual man who prayed for guidance during the darkest days of his rehab. "You pursue and go after the dreams you want. Whatever happens, happens. We made a good decision and I think I'll be okay." In 1998, Wadsworth was considered the complete package - smart, hard-working and ultra-talented. He was drafted after Peyton Manning (Colts) and Ryan Leaf (Chargers) and received a $10.5 million signing bonus, which he invested wisely. The Cards were so happy to pick him that the general manager, Bob Ferguson, actually cried at the news conference. After a solid rookie year, Wadsworth's downfall began the following training camp, when he woke up one morning and noticed his right knee was "swollen beyond belief." It shocked him. The previous day, he was an absolute monster on the practice field, knocking two offensive linemen out cold. The damage to his knee was so extensive that, late in the season, it locked up while he was chasing Bills quarterback Doug Flutie. Hello, operating room. "It's a shame because Andre never really got a chance to play," former Cards coach Dave McGinnis said in a phone interview. "Some people say he was one of the biggest busts. No he wasn't. Any team would've drafted Andre Wadsworth. He was a hell of a player." Asked if he considers himself "unlucky," Wadsworth delivered an animated rebuttal, insisting he has enjoyed a charmed life, injuries and all. " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green DNA Posted April 15, 2007 Share Posted April 15, 2007 Unbeknownst to many, he tore both Achilles' tendons years ago in the early stages of his attempted comeback. Out of all the injuries, this might be the most disturbing. Coming back from one achilles injury is a huge feat, two must be next to impossible. I don't care how many years ago it happened, it has to be a big concern. I wish him well and hope that we have found a diamond in the rough, but now I'm skeptical and think he will be gone long before the end of training camp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4HCrew Posted April 15, 2007 Share Posted April 15, 2007 With all of the talent the guy has I am really hoping he can make an impact for the Jets. He also comes off very classy and sincere in his interviews so he is not hard to root for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BP Posted April 15, 2007 Share Posted April 15, 2007 Out of all the injuries, this might be the most disturbing. Coming back from one achilles injury is a huge feat, two must be next to impossible. I don't care how many years ago it happened, it has to be a big concern. I wish him well and hope that we have found a diamond in the rough, but now I'm skeptical and think he will be gone long before the end of training camp. You're right about that..I have a friend who's a doctor,and he told me after Vinny T went down in '99 that when the achillies tendon ruptures it looks like the end of a mop..and they have to cut it some to reattach it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted April 15, 2007 Share Posted April 15, 2007 "I'll never forget that moment," Wadsworth said. "It hurt a lot." He declined to discuss his post-2001 medical dossier, but, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, Wadsworth has undergone surgery "several" times since leaving the Cards. Unbeknownst to many, he tore both Achilles' tendons years ago in the early stages of his attempted comeback. It shouldn't have been unbeknownst since we reported that exact thing here on 3/3. What's it take to get a footnote in this town? He was on the verge of coming back a few years ago when he hit another set back (achilles). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BP Posted April 15, 2007 Share Posted April 15, 2007 It shouldn't have been unbeknownst since we reported that exact thing here on 3/3. What's it take to get a footnote in this town? Damn..Tabor drops the ball and is busted by HC Max Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green DNA Posted April 15, 2007 Share Posted April 15, 2007 It shouldn't have been unbeknownst since we reported that exact thing here on 3/3. What's it take to get a footnote in this town? It says unbeknownst to many, not to all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
124 Posted April 15, 2007 Share Posted April 15, 2007 I will be one of Andre's biggest fans this Training Camp and I really hope he can make the team and give us some sort of impact for at least 2007. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smizzy Posted April 15, 2007 Share Posted April 15, 2007 Should be interesting. Good scoop maxie pad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaborJet Posted April 15, 2007 Author Share Posted April 15, 2007 It shouldn't have been unbeknownst since we reported that exact thing here on 3/3. What's it take to get a footnote in this town? Yesterday's news, buddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECURB Posted April 15, 2007 Share Posted April 15, 2007 Anyone have a recent photo of him?? I wonder how in shape he is... The injuries are rough, but if he has actually been on a strong workout plan for 5 years... anything is possible... sure he wont have a long career but he could be a real asset for a couple of years in a limited role... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green DNA Posted April 15, 2007 Share Posted April 15, 2007 Anyone have a recent photo of him?? I wonder how in shape he is... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arsis Posted April 15, 2007 Share Posted April 15, 2007 Wow, Max looks like he has been losing a lot of weight. Good to see him sticking to his diet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 It says unbeknownst to many, not to all! My point was it shouldn't have been unbeknownst at all. lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Yesterday's news, buddy You know how long it will be before we get another scoop? How about -- it will never happen again. I am going to milk this one for years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NY Jets Guy Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 Quote: Originally Posted by ecurb2369 Anyone have a recent photo of him?? I wonder how in shape he is... ahaha.. that is great! POTW NOM! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thai Jet Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 He's a warrior and no one wants him to make the final roster more than me but he's a looooooooong shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docdhc Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 This is a nice story but Wadsworth making a contribution this year is about as likely as Curtis Martin making the pro bowl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost Posted April 16, 2007 Share Posted April 16, 2007 HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAAAAA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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