University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Andy Mead
GoHeels Exclusive: Proehl Made It Back For Senior Day
November 19, 2017 | Football, Featured Writers
By Pat James, GoHeels.com
This wasn't for him. No, it was for you and, most importantly, for them.
It started with the initials written on Austin Proehl's left wrist tape. "BP" is what he penned in black marker to honor his younger brother, Blake, a freshman receiver at East Carolina who tore an ACL during his first practice in August. Austin would dedicate his senior season to him.
But on Sept. 23 at Kenan Stadium, Austin's season also seemed lost to injury. An underthrown pass forced him to decelerate. He still made a diving 47-yard grab. An awkward tackle by a Duke defender, however, sent Austin to the locker room.
"I've gotten tackled God knows how many times in my career playing football," said Austin on Saturday. "I just landed on it and broke my collarbone."
Blake was at that game. When he saw him in the locker room, Austin broke down. They spent the night together and attended Austin's surgery meeting the next day.
On Sept. 25, Austin underwent surgery. His father Ricky, a former Wake Forest receiver who spent 17 years in the NFL, was among the first to greet him following the procedure. He asked Austin then if he planned on returning this season. There was never any doubt.
"I told them, 'I want to come back,'" Austin said, "And they all looked at me kind of crazy. I said, 'No, that's my goal. I'm not going to sit here and allow this injury to stop me and stop me from doing what I love.'"
His return wasn't necessary. As Austin was sidelined, the Tar Heels' record fell to 1-8 before a win at Pittsburgh on Nov. 9. A bowl bid was ruled out weeks before then.
During that time, Austin's focus easily could have shifted toward the NFL draft. He could have rested for UNC's pro day and the NFL Scouting Combine; having a metal plate and seven screws attached to his collarbone would serve as a reasonable excuse.
But Austin saw his teammates keep competing, no matter the results. They inspired him. And by coming back, he hoped he could do the same for them.
So, he maintained a healthy diet and worked out as much as he could. He thought he'd play against Pittsburgh. But he wasn't cleared. Then on Monday, he received permission from his doctors to play in Saturday's home game against Western Carolina, UNC's senior day.
Austin caught three passes for 52 yards. He also returned a punt for 17. The result, a 65-10 win over the Catamounts, would have been similar without him. But his return amid this frustrating season perhaps carried even more significance.
"Each and every day, you have guys walking out to practice, going into meetings with energy, a smile on their face and ready to win a game," Austin said. "I decided from the minute I got out of surgery, seeing those guys and seeing people come see me, that I wanted to come back to show people that I'm not going to just hang it up because of our record.
"It's bigger than that. It's bigger than me," he continued. "I fell in love with the process of trying to come back and trying to show these guys that regardless of our record or regardless of what's happening out on that field each and every week, that your brothers in the locker room who come out to work every single day to win a game are more important."
After the game, the Tar Heels lined up in the end zone to sing "Hark the Sound." Austin ran toward Section 109, where he presented his receiving gloves to a boy standing in the front row, before joining his teammates.
Upon the alma mater's conclusion, he then sprinted across the entire front row of the student section, exchanging high-fives with each remaining student. He felt an obligation to say thanks.
"It's been a long but awesome four years, and they've been there every step of the way," he said. "They've been there through the ACC Championship (game in 2015) and they've been there through this (season). I couldn't be more proud to be a Tar Heel and be a part of this university."
When Austin arrived for postgame interviews, he still donned his football cleats and pants. His left wrist tape, baring Blake's initials, hadn't been removed. But missing from his right wrist was his surgery band.
Austin and Blake had promised to keep wearing their bands; they'd remove them together. On Friday, however, Austin's broke, despite his several attempts to preserve it.
"I wish I could have had it," he said.
For Austin's comeback was never for him. It was for Blake and his teammates and the fans. And now, it's finally complete.
This wasn't for him. No, it was for you and, most importantly, for them.
It started with the initials written on Austin Proehl's left wrist tape. "BP" is what he penned in black marker to honor his younger brother, Blake, a freshman receiver at East Carolina who tore an ACL during his first practice in August. Austin would dedicate his senior season to him.
But on Sept. 23 at Kenan Stadium, Austin's season also seemed lost to injury. An underthrown pass forced him to decelerate. He still made a diving 47-yard grab. An awkward tackle by a Duke defender, however, sent Austin to the locker room.
"I've gotten tackled God knows how many times in my career playing football," said Austin on Saturday. "I just landed on it and broke my collarbone."
Blake was at that game. When he saw him in the locker room, Austin broke down. They spent the night together and attended Austin's surgery meeting the next day.
On Sept. 25, Austin underwent surgery. His father Ricky, a former Wake Forest receiver who spent 17 years in the NFL, was among the first to greet him following the procedure. He asked Austin then if he planned on returning this season. There was never any doubt.
"I told them, 'I want to come back,'" Austin said, "And they all looked at me kind of crazy. I said, 'No, that's my goal. I'm not going to sit here and allow this injury to stop me and stop me from doing what I love.'"
His return wasn't necessary. As Austin was sidelined, the Tar Heels' record fell to 1-8 before a win at Pittsburgh on Nov. 9. A bowl bid was ruled out weeks before then.
During that time, Austin's focus easily could have shifted toward the NFL draft. He could have rested for UNC's pro day and the NFL Scouting Combine; having a metal plate and seven screws attached to his collarbone would serve as a reasonable excuse.
But Austin saw his teammates keep competing, no matter the results. They inspired him. And by coming back, he hoped he could do the same for them.
So, he maintained a healthy diet and worked out as much as he could. He thought he'd play against Pittsburgh. But he wasn't cleared. Then on Monday, he received permission from his doctors to play in Saturday's home game against Western Carolina, UNC's senior day.
Austin caught three passes for 52 yards. He also returned a punt for 17. The result, a 65-10 win over the Catamounts, would have been similar without him. But his return amid this frustrating season perhaps carried even more significance.
"Each and every day, you have guys walking out to practice, going into meetings with energy, a smile on their face and ready to win a game," Austin said. "I decided from the minute I got out of surgery, seeing those guys and seeing people come see me, that I wanted to come back to show people that I'm not going to just hang it up because of our record.
"It's bigger than that. It's bigger than me," he continued. "I fell in love with the process of trying to come back and trying to show these guys that regardless of our record or regardless of what's happening out on that field each and every week, that your brothers in the locker room who come out to work every single day to win a game are more important."
After the game, the Tar Heels lined up in the end zone to sing "Hark the Sound." Austin ran toward Section 109, where he presented his receiving gloves to a boy standing in the front row, before joining his teammates.
Upon the alma mater's conclusion, he then sprinted across the entire front row of the student section, exchanging high-fives with each remaining student. He felt an obligation to say thanks.
"It's been a long but awesome four years, and they've been there every step of the way," he said. "They've been there through the ACC Championship (game in 2015) and they've been there through this (season). I couldn't be more proud to be a Tar Heel and be a part of this university."
When Austin arrived for postgame interviews, he still donned his football cleats and pants. His left wrist tape, baring Blake's initials, hadn't been removed. But missing from his right wrist was his surgery band.
Austin and Blake had promised to keep wearing their bands; they'd remove them together. On Friday, however, Austin's broke, despite his several attempts to preserve it.
"I wish I could have had it," he said.
For Austin's comeback was never for him. It was for Blake and his teammates and the fans. And now, it's finally complete.
Players Mentioned
Wide Receiver
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