North Carolina State University Athletics
Coleman's Comeback
11/9/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
On the night of October 9th, Chris Coleman was lying on the soft green bermuda turf at Carter-Finley Stadium, but needless to say, he wasn't relaxing. The spongy surface provided no relief for the pain he was feeling in his left arm.
Just seconds before, NC State's senior wide receiver had fallen awkwardly after picking a Jamie Barnette pass out of the air. As Coleman tried to brace himself with his left arm, his elbow buckled. At that moment, his college football career seemed to be over.
Last Saturday, the Carter-Finley grass was just as green and just as soft, but this time, Coleman felt it under his feet as he grabbed another Barnette pass. And this time he was standing upright, in the end zone.
The first quarter touchdown catch against Maryland added the finishing touches to a most unexpected comeback.
"It feels good to be back," Coleman said. "It seems like four months since I played football. Just getting into the game was an emotional boost for me as well as my teammates."
It wasn't until game day that Coleman approached Wolfpack coach Mike O'Cain about playing against the Terps. O'Cain's response: Only if the doctors give clearance.
Once that clearance was granted, number 84 was free to suit up for what would be the final home game of his career.
"I didn't even practice the week before the game," said Coleman. "My elbow was progressing very slowly after the injury. Within the first couple of weeks I had no strength in it. I couldn't even wash the right side of my body with my left hand. I had doubts that I would ever be back, but then things started progressing pretty quickly."
The Shelby native is still somewhat restricted by a long, arm-length sleeve he's required to wear to protect his elbow.
"I just need to make sure I get two hands on the ball. It's hard to make one-hand grabs with my left hand, although I was able to make some nice catches in Monday's practice. I still get a little pain in my elbow when the ball hits my left hand."
Pain or no pain, Coleman wanted very badly to take the field for his final home game. Now, he wants another shot at North Carolina on Thursday night.
"We haven't beaten Carolina since I've been here. Most of us are fifth-year seniors, some of us fourth year seniors and we've never come away with a victory over Carolina. My career would be incomplete if I couldn't leave this game without a win over them."
His career would have been perhaps even less complete had he not been given another chance to play against the Tar Heels. It's an opportunity that Chris Coleman obviously relishes.
