Troy Woolfolk's dad: One day later, few answers exist for Michigan football standout
In a seven-year professional career, Butch Woolfolk finished the football season on injured reserve more often than not. Broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder, torn ACL.
“I have had it all,” Woolfolk said Wednesday.
Based on four years of injury experiences, he knows exactly what his son is enduring today. Troy Woolfolk, a senior cornerback on the Michigan football team, dislocated an ankle in Tuesday’s practice.
As of late Wednesday afternoon, the severity of the injury remains undiagnosed.
“From what I understand, they’ve got the ankle back into place, and now there’s some other issues,” said Butch Woolfolk, one of the all-time leading rushers in Michigan football history. “The ankle stretches, and so do some ligaments and tendons.”
No surgery has been scheduled at this point and no timetable has been set for his return, his father said. Doctors want to wait until swelling subsides to make those decisions.
Could Troy return this season?
“I really don’t know,” Butch Woolfolk said. “He’s a very optimistic kid. He thinks he’ll play in the first game. Sometimes optimism and reality clash.”
Whenever his comeback begins, the physical recovery will be only one part of the process. Maintaining an upbeat attitude through the recuperation is equally challenging.
Troy Woolfolk entered summer camp in the best shape of his life, according to his father, and was set to be a fixture in Michigan’s depth-depleted secondary.
“The hard part, to me, is the immediate emotional letdown,” Butch Woolfolk said. “How you feel when your team goes on an away trip, and you’re sitting back in your apartment. … He’ll feel bad because he can’t contribute.”
Troy Woolfolk was born the year his father retired, so he didn’t witness his dad fight through injuries while playing for the New York Giants (1982-84), Houston Oilers (1985-86) and Detroit Lions (1987-88).
But he’s heard the stories before, and now he’ll certainly lean on his dad for support.
“It’s a major disappointment,” Butch Woolfolk said. “He was in the best shape of his life and I was expecting big things. I just wish I knew more.”
Comments
orlandomichfan
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 9:13 a.m.
GOOO BLUE!!!!!!!its gonna be a great year!!!!!
chris
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 12:03 a.m.
I appreciate the efforts the Woolfolks have made to the Michigan football progam and it is a shame for them and the team that Troy was injured. For the person giving the title to the article to use standout is a big stretch, even if he was being heavily relied on. Just goes to show how bad the secondary could be.
azwolverine
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 7:02 p.m.
If he can come back early, it'd be great to have him out there this season. If he's going to come back late, it'd be better to have him wait to play a full season next year after a medical redshirt this year.
DollySpartan
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 5:49 p.m.
A bad injury to a very good player. Hope he recovers quickly and until then we'll all be sending good wishes his way!
WWBoDo
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 5:45 p.m.
Who could forget the greatness of Butch! Class act, true Michigan Man. And Troy every bit of the man and player his Dad was! Never in the history of Michigan Football has their been the need for someone like Troy leading Michigan out of the Tunnel. Get well--I, for one, am counting on you for the Opener!! In any event, good things are going to happen to you.
saginaw
Wed, Aug 18, 2010 : 4:57 p.m.
Both Butch and Troy are qualty people, and they are tough. Troy will recover and he will hard to get back into football.