University of North Carolina Athletics
Pickeral: Renner Has No Regrets
November 6, 2013 | Football, Featured Writers
By Robbi Pickeral, GoHeels.com
CHAPEL HILL -- Fifth-year quarterback Bryn Renner has experienced plenty of adversity at North Carolina - injuries, an NCAA investigation, three different head coaches - yet he always managed to stay optimistic and upbeat throughout.
But standing on the sidelines in street clothes Tuesday evening after watching the closing moments of practice, knowing his college career was over at least four games too soon - he let his sadness and pain show.
"It's tough, you know? Just the fact that it's over kind of just sunk in,'' he said, his voice breaking as he failed to hold back tears. "... I'm sorry for getting emotional, but this team means a lot to me. I gave it all I have for five years, and it's just tough right now."
Tough, because even after suffering a left (non-throwing) shoulder injury late in Saturday's third quarter after being hit by two NC State defenders, even after undergoing an X-ray and MRI Sunday, the 6-foot-3 Virginia product figured he'd be healed enough in time for this Saturday's game against Virginia. "Just a bruise,'' he said he thought. That is, until he received the results of the tests Monday, showing a detached labrum and fractured scapula.
Renner will undergo surgery on Wednesday - a similar operation, he said, as the one he had on the same shoulder as a senior in high school - and likely will watch the rest of the season with his arm in a sling. He hopes to begin rehabbing by mid-December, and be healthy in time for the NFL combine.
But Tuesday, when he opted not arrive at practice until the closing minutes because he feared he would be a distraction, it was obviously hard to think that far ahead.
"I've experienced a lot in my career,'' he said, his voice breaking, again. "But one thing I'm proud of is I gave it 110 percent every time I strapped it up on Saturdays. And that's one thing I'll miss is Saturdays."
And for good reason. Over three years of starting on Saturdays, Renner racked up 8,221 passing yards, third in the Tar Heels' record book. He also ranks second in school history in passing touchdowns (64), third in completions (668) and first in completion percentage (66.5).
He did it all while persevering through, then helping push his team past, an NCAA investigation that saw one head football coach fired, and a second lead for an interim year before current coach Larry Fedora arrived and installed a new offensive scheme. Renner did it all despite ankle surgery; while being the face of a team that had to sit out a bowl last season because of NCAA sanctions; and throughout UNC's disappointing 1-5 start this year.
The experiences, Renner said, helped him grow not just as a quarterback, but as a man.
"I hate it for him, he's been a tremendous leader for our football team ....'' Fedora said of Renner. "The guy has thrown for over 8,000 yards, he's thrown 64 touchdown passes, he's meant a lot to this football team. I hate that his career at UNC has come to an end at this time. I know it's hard for him."
And his teammates, too.
Sophomore quarterback Marquise Williams, who started in place of an injured Renner at Virginia Tech last month and has gotten more and more playing time since, said he "broke down" when he learned of the severity of the injury, via text from Renner, early Tuesday afternoon.
"He's been there for me, and it's tough, man,'' said Williams, who calls Renner his 'big brother from another mother.' "People say it's a joy time, for [me] to start, but it's tough because I look up to him and I love the guy, and he always encourages me to be better. Words can't express the influence he's had on my life."
And if Renner has his way, that influence will continue. The senior said he has all the confidence in the world that the 3-5 Tar Heels can still make it to a bowl, and to that end, he sent Williams a pointed text Tuesday: "LEAD,'' it read, in all capital letters.
Williams said he will - in his friend and teammate's honor.
"Regardless of what has happened, it's still Bryn Renner's team,'' Williams insisted. "And I'm playing for his team."
After watching that team leave practice Tuesday, an emotional Renner harkened back to his first workout on that field -- as an enthusiastic 19-year-old freshman who never could have expected the topsy turvy seasons that were to come.
"I was wearing a visor, I had my chinstrap buckled, I remember coming out here with tons of energy,'' he said, still red-eyed but smiling. "Being a college quarterback was my dream, all growing up."
Although that dream has been cut short, Renner expressed no regrets, thanking his teammates, coaches and fans for all of their support. And refusing to call anything that has happened over the last five years unfair.
"Life isn't fair," he said. "You deal with the circumstances. But I think it's definitely [helped me grow] up and [grown] my maturity level as far as how to handle situations. It's built my character, and taught me valuable lessons. ... You can say all that stuff - it's unfair. But I think it's very fair, and I've had a great career."
Players Mentioned
