Sports

Friday, Nov. 06, 2009

Scott showed class, sportsmanship, smarts

Lost in the Ole Miss Rebels’ disheartening defeat last week at Auburn was the selfless, savvy actions of Ole Miss running back Rodney Scott.

The 33-20 loss at Jordan-Hare Stadium was a crushing blow to the Rebels’ hopes of landing a prestigious bowl berth, never mind the preseason aspirations and the No. 4 national ranking before the 16-10 loss at South Carolina.

Scott, a freshman from Cross City, Fla., was involved in a violent collision that dropped Auburn defensive back Zac Etheridge, who lay motionless on the field after the play had stopped. Scott had the presence of mind to stay underneath the unconscious player, instead of popping up and getting back to the huddle, which admittedly would be a player’s first instinct.

Scott didn’t move for about 10 minutes after the impact with Etheridge, as Auburn medical personnel attended to the Tigers’ safety. Etheridge later told the Associated Press’ John Zenor that his fifth vertabrae was cracked and he tore ligaments in his neck, the result of a collision with Auburn teammate Antonio Coleman. Etheridge said he’s “blessed” to be walking again.

Auburn coach Gene Chizik said Scott’s kind, thoughtful actions may have saved Etheridge from a more serious injury. Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt was effusive in his praise of Scott during his Monday afternoon press conference, when the Rebels had a lot more on their mind than just Saturday night’s home game against FCS opponent Northern Arizona.

“It was one of the most amazing things I’ve seen,” Chizik told the AP. “I have to give that young man (Scott) a lot of credit. I don’t know how he know, but he know he couldn’t move. He sat as still as the night, lying right underneath (Etheridge). It was one of the most phenomenal things I’ve witnessed.”

I was listening to the game on the radio on my way to Gulf Coast’s state semifinal playoff tilt with Coahoma on Saturday in Perkinston. The Ole Miss radio team was equally impressed, as was Nutt, who has seen plenty of promise from Scott in his freshman year with the Rebels.

“What I couldn’t believe is that Rodney, as a freshman, had the presence of mind not to shove the guy a little bit, so he could get up and get back to the huddle,” Nutt said. “We are always coaching to get off the ground and get back in the huddle. It was really a miracle that he didn’t push (Etheridge) out of the way like we normally do. I was just really proud of the way he handled that.”

Etheridge spoke to Auburn teammates and reporters on Tuesday and hopes to play football again.

“We’re pumped for him,” Chizik said. “He is in really good spirits now.”

Props to Rodney Scott.

And best wishes and a speedy recovery to Zac Etheridge.

Jim Mashek can be reached at 896-2333