Colorado University Athletics
Brooks: 'Perk' Thankful For At Least One More Play
November 24, 2011 | Football, B.G. Brooks
BOULDER - Thanksgiving 2011 finds Anthony Perkins giving thanks for a multitude of things. Among them is the possibility of a different ending, one that finds him walking away from his college football career without a trainer on one side, a teammate on the other.
Perkins expects to play Friday afternoon against Utah, returning to the field after a four-game absence due to an ankle injury suffered against Oregon after only nine snaps. The Colorado senior, one of two defensive captains, knows a little something about injuries; he played in only five games as a junior after wrecking a knee against Missouri in 2010.
When he was assisted from Folsom Field in the Oregon game on Oct. 22, a sense of dread washed over him. "Unfortunately, injuries are not new to me . . . it's a little bit of d+¬j+á vu from last year," he said. "But this year it's a little bit different; there's optimism, hope. There is a possibility of me being able to play my last game, so I'm excited and I'll do everything in my power to play. I'm confident that whatever happens, God has a plan for everything."
However unrealistic or impractical, athletes always want to exit their sports on their own terms. But in most instances, as CU Coach Jon Embree put it, the last word - the message that you're no longer capable or needed - comes from "the game."
Said Embree, whose brief NFL career abruptly ended because of a blown elbow that required surgery: "Very few people get to say 'I'm done playing' at any level. You are either told you're not good enough or you make too much (money) and they cut you. No matter what it is, generally it is the game telling you that they don't want you around anymore. As an athlete, you have to understand that every time you go out there and compete and do something, that it could very well be your last chance . . .
"How many guys get to go out like John Elway? Brett Favre didn't go out like he wanted to go out. That is the nature of this game and if you get to that level, great; if you don't, it could be your third day here on campus and that is what you have to understand."
Perkins, who was leading the Buffs with 63 tackles at the time of his ankle injury, understood. Nonetheless, he was hoping his final exit wouldn't be in the season's eighth game. He had hoped his ankle would be sound enough to allow him to play two weeks ago on Senior Day against Arizona. It wasn't, and more rehabilitation was needed in the week preceding CU's trip to UCLA last week. But he didn't play then either.
As much as being missed for his overall play at safety, the absence of Perkins' communications skills have made things difficult for the CU defense. "You're talking about a guy who's been around the block," defensive coordinator/secondary coach Greg Brown said. "He's done it, seen it, been there . . . nothing's really going to surprise him. He's an intelligent guy, a charismatic guy - all the players respond to him. He's a heck of a leader and communicator for us. When 'Perk's' not back there, it shows."
Perkins' ankle has shown improvement this week, allowing him to do a little more and allowing Brown to pencil him in for at least some duty. "He's working . . . we're just seeing how much he can do," Brown said after Tuesday's practice. "Same with Parker Orms. They're both taking 'reps' and we'll see if we can get some plays out of each of them." (Orms, a corner/nickel back, has been hampered by hamstring/knee ailments.)
For Brown and for Perkins, there would be no such thing as a "token" series to permit Perkins to play in his final college game. He's either ready to play or he isn't. Perkins would never want to be a liability to his teammates, CU's medical staff would never put Perkins at risk.
"He's never going to do anything to hurt the team," Brown said. "He's always been an unselfish guy. He understands; he's always put the team above himself."
During his month on the sidelines, Perkins has had time to contemplate how his CU football career might end. Friday finds him among 28 seniors awaiting their last afternoon in a Buffs uniform. Embree's season-long message of caution to his upperclassmen has been to be aware of how swiftly the end comes, and that it always doesn't follow the schedule.
Perkins, said Embree, "is trying; he's working his tail off. He is doing all he can to be out there. I hope he can. I'm sure he would like to be out there and at least come off the field and not have to be carried off or helped off. Be out there and at least play your last play. Hopefully it will happen for him because he's a great kid."
"It'll take a lot to keep me off the field," Perkins said. "I had much rather be determining my own fate . . . it's never a good thing when something is taken from you and you have no control over it. But unfortunately, that's the nature of football. Being able to dictate your own terms is definitely a blessing. If I'm able to do that, it'll be great. If I'm not - then that's football.
"The position I'm in, being able to play this far down the line . . . I've played football since I was five years old. Being able to play and having many friends who haven't been able to make it this far for whatever reason, I just look at every chance I have to be on that field as a blessing.
"I'm more than thankful for the opportunity that God has given me to be able to be out there. I'm going to enjoy it for all it's worth while I can."
Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU
