Auburn DB Champ Anthony at peace, optimistic throughout rehabilitation process
AUBURN — When Champ Anthony injured his left leg in the Arkansas game last September, he didn’t show a ton of emotion. When pictures were taken, Anthony was actually smiling being carted off the field. It was quite the reaction by one of the most respected and hard-working players on Auburn’s roster.
Somehow, Anthony was at peace in the moment.
“When I was laying on the ground and I saw my leg facing the other way, at first, I freaked out because I worked so hard to get to this moment. I just didn’t understand,” Anthony said on Monday as Auburn spring camp is set to begin.
“But when Coach (Wesley McGriff) Crime was the first person to make it over there by me. He got in my ear and told me, ‘this is God’s plan.'”
Anthony said his left leg was already in some pain before the injury. When the more severe injury happened early in the Arkansas game, Anthony actually found a silver lining in the incident.
“It was really the best thing for me. Coach Crime told me I’m going to come back strong. Just hearing those words, I was down, and that’s what I was smiling in those pictures. I didn’t even cry. Coach Crime reminded me, if you’re a dog, you’re going to be a dog regardless.”
The process of recovery isn’t always an easy one. Anthony credits the Auburn coaching staff, namely defensive coordinator DJ Durkin, McGriff, and players like Keionte Scott, for walking side-by-side with him through the journey to return to the field.
“It’s felt like forever. When I was in the hospital, I came to the sense that I just needed to work on myself mentally and physically, so when I come back, I don’t take a step down from where I was. It’s felt like a long time though. When you anticipate something, you want it to come faster,” Anthony said.
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“(Keionte) was always checking on me. That’s my guy. He was always checking on me. Coach Durkin, I can’t thank him enough. I don’t think I’ve met a realer man than that. Like, (Durkin) has a big job to handle, especially in the SEC. He made time for me every day to make sure I was OK. Coach Crime never skipped a beat. He was at the hospital, they were by my side the whole time. I never felt alone throughout the process.”
Anthony has 17 career tackles, two tackles for loss and three pass deflections in 17 total games played. Anthony had just moved into a starting role when the injury happened. In fact, Anthony had all three of his career pass deflections in the first quarter of the Arkansas game. And just minutes later, the injury occurred.
“Physically, getting back in shape, that’s the easiest part. I’m an athlete. I’ve always been an athlete. I love hard work. The harder I work, the more fun I’m having,” Anthony said. “I feel like once you have it, you won’t ever lose it. I’ve always been a quick guy. I’ve always been faster.”
Anthony thinks he may actually come back stronger than ever, as Anthony continues to exude optimism as spring practice begins.
“Me and the staff researched and a lot of guys that break their leg come back faster because you have to overwork that injured leg so much,” Anthony said. “Now, it’s up to the bone to heal. I’ve always been a confident guy. Cutting, breaking, that’s just what I do.”
