MassPackersFan
15 years ago
I don't know how many of you are familiar with Mark Herzlich's story. Well before the 2009 season I was already dreaming about him in green and gold. I'm a Boston College alum so I was definitely biased, but in the games I saw in 2008, he was a dominant OLB force. Hard tackles, sacks, interceptions, you name it, he did it. He ended up being named ACC defensive player of the year.


Then the unthinkable happened, as a mass was found on his femur and he was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma.

He missed out on the 2009 season, but - unsurprisingly to anyone who has played with him, coached him, knew him, or even just watched him on the field - he battled with everything he had and triumphed over his cancer.



He's practicing with the team this spring in preparation for the fall season, which will be his senior year. There is a titanium rod in his leg.

I would LOVE to have this guy on the Packers. He played at 238 his junior season in 2008, but he has the frame to play at around 250-260 in the NFL.

"I want to get back to where I was, or even better," said Herzlich, who led the Eagles in tackles (110) and interceptions (six) and finished second in tackles for loss (13) in 2008. "Mentally, I guess the drive is more than where it was before. And I guess there are a lot of people who are doubting I can get there." His voice became more urgent.

"When you have people who are doubters, people who think you can't do it, it pushes you even more. You see what people write online, or, you [hear], 'We hope you can make it back.'" Herzlich doesn't like the word "hope."

"It's always good to have hope," he said. "At the same time, it's not like it's just going to happen. I've got to make it happen."

McGovern, the defensive coordinator, takes the long view of a 47-year-old, a husband and father of three daughters.

"It's fun just to see his face in the meetings," he said.

Herzlich, with the myopia of youth, or perhaps merely stubbornness, refuses to see how far he has come. He expects to be at full physical strength by midsummer. And he expects to be on the field when the Eagles open the 2010 season against Weber State on Sept. 4.

"Never bet against that kid," McGovern said.


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Pack93z
15 years ago
I remember, I believe GameDay, doing a piece on his story.. I hope the kid triumphs and makes it all the way back to where he was.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
Nonstopdrivel
15 years ago
Herzlich . . . what a nice name. It means "heartfelt" in German.
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PackerTraxx
15 years ago
Best wishes that he gets well and has a chance to live out his dreams.
Why is Jerry Kramer not in the Hall of Fame?
British
14 years ago
Looking at our roster we may well be in the market for an OLB come the 2011 draft, even if Jones starts pulling up trees.
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