This edition of fAUllow Friday focuses on injured Auburn safety Zac Etheridge and sends out our hopes for a speedy recovery.
Auburn fans watched in silence last Saturday as Zac lay motionless on Pat Dye Field, the result of a head-first collision with teammate Antonio Coleman. The dark scene brightened a little as Etheridge gave the crowd a thumbs up as he was carried off the field.
He was released from a Birmingham hospital two days later, optimistic about recovering from the torn neck ligaments and cracked fifth vertebra he’d suffered.
Zac is currently fourth on the team with 52 tackles. The Troy, Ala. native arrived at Auburn a three-star recruit known for his speed and awareness. As a freshman, Zac was named to multiple Freshmen All-American teams and continued to improve throughout his sophomore season, starting 12 of 13 games and finishing second on the team with 32 tackles. He started all 12 games at safety in 2008 and finished with a team-leading 75 tackles for the season.
Addressing the team and reporters Tuesday, Zac expressed his happiness at being able to walk so soon after the injury, thanked the team and fans for all their prayers and support, and reaffirmed his intentions to play football again next season.
Set to finish his Public Administration degree in December, Zac is optimistic about his future at Auburn and beyond.
Since the injury, Zac says he’s been overwhelmed by the well-wishes he’s received from fans on his Facebook page.
On Monday at 1:33 p.m.,he updated his status to “thanking God for another chance!! Just got released from the hospital!!! 🙂 thank you Jesus!!”
Swing by and drop Zac a quick note of encouragement.
War Eagle, Zac!
Photo via.
In 2003, a lifelong Auburn fan decided to get on TV by growing his hair out into a whitefro, sewing a horribly uncomfortable navy and tiger-striped jumpsuit, and attending the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament. He succeeded in getting on TV, but was surprised that folks (mistaking his ‘fro for a pompadour) referred to him as “Auburn Elvis.” One haircut and a cheap wig later a journey toward minor sports celebrity had begun. Auburn Elvis now regularly attend Auburn sporting events and maintains a serviceable blog that documents his quirky approach to fandom. In his column, fAUllow Friday, he recommends notable Auburn alumni to track of through social media sites. Write to him at [email protected].
[…] Elsewhere at TWER, Thor has your weekend viewing guide and Auburn Elvis’s fAUllow Friday honors Zac Etheridge. […]