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Comeback Cowboy

OSU wide receiver Artrell Woods seriously injured his back more than a year ago, but is scheduled to see action for the Cowboys in Saturday's season opener against Washington State. Stephen Pingry/Tulsa World file

 
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Published: 8/29/2008  2:06 AM
Last Modified: 8/29/2008  2:58 AM

OSU's Woods is ready to return to field after serious spinal injury



STILLWATER — The Artrell Woods comeback crests on Saturday, when Oklahoma State opens its season against Washington State at Seattle's Qwest Field.

Woods, whose football future was in doubt when he injured his spinal cord on July 13, 2007 (a Friday the 13th), will be on the field with the Cowboys' punt-return and kickoff-return units. He also is expected to get some snaps at wide receiver.

"I had faith," Woods said. "I prayed on it every night, and I gave God the glory. I knew he was going to get me to this point, sooner or later."

As OSU prepared for its 2007 opener, Woods was encased in a full-torso brace, only a month removed from major surgery. Now, the sophomore from Bryan, Texas, is listed as DeMarcus Conner's backup at one wideout position.

The 6-foot, 194-pound Woods said he has absorbed several jarring hits during preseason camp.

"I've been getting contact just like everybody else out here," he said. "I'm just a normal football player, you know. That's how I want to be treated out there by the defense. I don't want them to look at me like, 'OK, this dude had back surgery. Let's take it easy on him.' That's not what the opponent is going to think. Might as well get ready for it now."

A few weeks after starring in OSU's 2007 spring game, Woods was injured during an early morning weight-lifting accident. He sustained a dislocated vertebra and temporary paralysis in one leg.

Even while confined to a hospital bed, and even when doctors weren't absolutely certain that he would walk normally again, Woods predicted a return to football.

"I would suspect that he'll play 30, 35 plays (against Washington State)," OSU coach Mike Gundy said. "For him to have the willpower to do it, and the medical staff that put him back together, and the people here at OSU who rehabilitated him — it's a pretty amazing story.

"I noticed just in the last couple of weeks that he gets hit more and he bounces up. I worried about it from day one. I cringed every time somebody hit him, even though he's structurally stronger than he had been. Every day, I see him getting hit more and him falling down and people piling on him, and he goes back to the huddle. I would think that he'll feel better after the first game."

Cowboy safety-linebacker Andre Sexton witnessed Woods' weight-room accident.

"It shows that you can never take anything for granted," Sexton said. "It was weird — he was doing a workout that we do so often. At first, we just wanted him to walk again. It's great to see him back."

Said quarterback Zac Robinson: "(Woods) has been making some great catches at practice. He's catching the deep ball again. He's definitely back, speed-wise."

Against Washington State, Woods said, "I plan on it being the same Artrell. Come Saturday, we'll just have to see."

And if he scores a touchdown in his comeback game?

"I'll probably cry," Woods said. "My end zone celebration will be to get on a knee and pray — thank God for it. Before the injury, it would have been the same thing, actually. But a lot more emotion this time. That would be unbelievable if I score this Saturday."



Bill Haisten 581-8397
bill.haisten@tulsaworld.com
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer

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4 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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OSUArthur, Fayetteville (8/29/2008 9:08:03 AM)
I think my eyes might get a little misty if he scores a touchdown tomorrow. He would forever be etched into OSU lore for that.
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T Bone, (8/29/2008 10:39:48 AM)

Thanks to the good surgeions at the UO Medical School who operated on Artrell' Artrell's spirit and determination and OSU for providing the required services.
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T Bone, (8/29/2008 10:41:22 AM)

Thanks to the good surgeons at the UO Medical School who operated on Artrell' Artrell's spirit and determination and OSU for providing the required services.
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Rhymeister, Tulsa (8/30/2008 12:51:22 AM)
This is great news! And I have a feeling Woods will be starting in no time and showing his mad skills.
 

 
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