Weber State defensive tackle Derek Johnson could have just walked away.
His right knee was basically torn to shreds following what was widely believed to be a cheap and illegal chop block in a game against Montana last season. He was carried off the field, and he learned that he had a torn ACL, MCL, PCL and meniscus. His kneecap dislocated, and all that held his knee together was skin.
Johnson was a senior last year, but he hoped to continue playing. When the NCAA granted him a sixth year of eligibility (he also tore his triceps in the 2004 opener and was granted a medical redshirt season), there wasn't much of a decision to make whether he was going to return for the Wildcats this season.
What, miss this?
The Wildcats are currently 5-0 in conference play for the first time in school history and on top of the Big Sky. They are accomplishing what they set out to do, and their success is one reason why Johnson went through two major surgeries and hundreds of hours of arduous rehabilitation. It's why he plays at close to 80-85 percent on two sore and weakened knees.
"That's what I told the guys from the beginning; I wanted to come back for a few reasons, and one was to win a Big Sky championship," Johnson said. "I just wanted to be a part of something special, something historic. We're getting there. We're on our way to doing those kinds of things."
Johnson also was motivated to return because he didn't want to let a Montana player end his playing career. He wanted to finish up on his own terms.
"I didn't want to look back and regret it," he said. "I didn't want my last memories of college football or me playing football to be me getting carried off the field. I knew when I had my surgery and my rehab, that I'd rehab with the idea of playing ball. If I could do it, I would, but if not I'd be willing to move on to other things."
Johnson, 26, still went ahead with other plans, as he working on a Master's in Business Administration and a Master's in Health Administration. His work in school is just one of the ways he leads his younger teammates.
So far this season, Johnson has recorded a total of 21 tackles, including one for loss, and he forced a fumble in a revenge win over Montana. But what Johnson means to the Wildcats can't be measured in statistics. He is one of the team's leaders both on and off the field.
"He's a father figure to a lot of these guys," said defensive end Kevin Linehan. "He really looks out for the younger guys, makes sure everyone's doing the right thing. He's the heart and soul of our team — the defense especially."
Johnson is playing in the heart of Weber State's defense at nose guard with two weakened knees. When his surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Harrison, repaired his right knee last winter, he had to take some tendon from his left knee to fix it. Johnson, who credits Harrison for doing some "miracle things with my knee" now has more trouble with his left knee than his reconstructed right knee.
"He pretty much has two brand-new knees, and he's going out there and doing what he does," Linehan said. "Every day, even when he's not 100 percent, he's giving 100 percent. It's really inspiring to everyone."
Johnson isn't at full strength, but he's still producing. In Weber State's defensive scheme, he isn't asked to make every tackle. Along with fellow nose guard Bryce Scanlon, he is supposed to take on offensive linemen and allow the linebackers to make plays.
"He may not be getting the big stats, but he's taking on two offensive linemen at a time," Scanlon said. "He's taking them off the linebackers and keeping them clean. That's what we're supposed to do, and he's doing a great job. He plays with a lot of passion."
The Wildcats also rely on Johnson to keep things light. He does a lot of talking in practice and in games. It isn't out of the ordinary for Johnson to keep conversations going with opponents on Saturdays.
"I like to have fun; I like to joke around with people," Johnson said. "In football you got to be serious, but I think a lot of people get too serious. I'm a talkative guy, a boisterous guy, and I guess that translates."
Although Johnson stays in frequent contact with his opponents during games, you probably wouldn't classify it as trash-talking.
"It's all light-hearted, joking around stuff," Johnson said. "I don't say, 'I'm going to eat you,' or say anything about their mothers."
Those type of comments wouldn't be fitting coming from the heart and soul of the first-place team in the Big Sky.
"You gotta give him credit," said coach Ron McBride. "He wants to finish out his career with him playing, not with him sitting. I'm not saying it's the smartest thing to do, but I wouldn't deny him playing if he wanted to play. When he's 60 he'll probably be hobbling around, cussing me. But he's a tough guy, and I'm happy for him."
E-mail: aaragon@desnews.com