Bearcats' Munchie Legaux won't let go of dream
QB determined to return after frightening injury
Oct. 8, 2013


Munchie Legaux speaks about his severe knee injury: Bearcats QB hopes to play again someday

Written by
Tom Groeschen

As Munchie Legaux lay shrieking in agony on the football field at Illinois’ Memorial Stadium, the University of Cincinnati quarterback was wondering if his career was over.

It was the sunny afternoon of Sept. 7 in Champaign, Ill., and Legaux’s left knee had just been shredded during the UC-Illinois game. Legaux was hit while attempting a pass, and his knee snapped awkwardly.

TV replays were sickening. Viewers were reminded of severe leg injuries suffered by Louisville basketball player Kevin Ware, former Bengals defensive tackle Tim Krumrie and former Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann.

Legaux knew immediately his condition was dire.

“I was screaming in pain,” Legaux told The Enquirer on Tuesday, in his first interview about his injury. “I knew something was really wrong, because I kind of felt it when I was hit. Where my hand was, I kind of felt things were out of place. I didn’t want to look at it.”

As his teammates gathered round and medical personnel worked on Legaux, he wondered if this was it.

“All I was thinking was, can I play football again?” he said. “No one was really telling me anything, because they didn’t know at the time.”

After being hospitalized overnight in Illinois, Legaux was transported back to Cincinnati.

The diagnosis was that Legaux had dislocated his knee and torn all or parts of all four ligaments, the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), PCL (posterior cruciate), MCL (medial collateral) and LCL (lateral collateral).

“What looked bad on the field was the hit and the position of the knee at the time,” UC football head trainer Bob Mangine said. “The bottom line is if you dislocate the knee, you’re going to tear your ligaments. In essence it was a very gruesome looking injury, but God blessed him that he had no nerve damage.”

UC orthopedist Dr. Angelo Colosimo repaired Legaux’s knee in surgery on Sept. 13, with the procedure taking about three hours. Mangine said that Colosimo is pleased with how Legaux has progressed.

“He had no vascular damage, and that’s your No. 1 concern after a knee dislocation,” Mangine said. “That increases his potential to come back and play.”

Legaux is a fourth-year senior. Since he played in only two games this year, UC will apply for a medical hardship waiver for Legaux to play a fifth season in 2014.

“On the average with a knee dislocation, I would say about nine months to get back on the field practicing,” Mangine said. “We’re going to remain very optimistic that we can get this year back and that we can rehab him and that he will be ready to play, hopefully next season.”

UC coach Tommy Tuberville said he does not expect Legaux for spring practice in 2014. Next summer, perhaps.

“He’s doing well, but it’s going to be a long process,” Tuberville said. “He’s got a chance. A lot of it is going to be mental as well as physical.”

New Orleans native Legaux, speaking Tuesday while undergoing therapy in the UC training room, said he will do whatever it takes. He entered 2013 having regained his starting job over fellow senior Brendon Kay, and Kay leaves after this season. Legaux next year would compete with returning quarterbacks Bennie Coney and Gunner Kiel, who both will have three years of eligibility remaining.

“I’m still in good spirits, still smiling,” Legaux said. “I definitely want to play again, whether it’s on the college level or NFL level. Hopefully I’ll be out there next year, 100 percent.”

BARR IMPROVES: UC wide receiver Mark Barr has been upgraded from critical to stable condition, UC spokesman Ryan Koslen said Tuesday. Koslen said that Barr is making "slow, steady progress" from injuries suffered in the Sept. 21 auto accident that killed teammate Ben Flick.

COYNE LEAVES: Sophomore fullback Patrick Coyne (Badin) has asked for and been granted his release from the team. Coyne will explore playing for an FCS school, UC spokesman Ryan Koslen said. Coyne was recruited as a quarterback but was switched to fullback this year.

TV SWITCH: Friday’s game (8:30 p.m.) has been switched from ESPN2 to ESPN.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20131...o-of-dream

I never bet against any of Colosimo's patients. CTT mentioned the mental aspect. If Munchie survived the treatment from last year, he will survive this, and have a chance to play. He may not start next year, but any program that goes through QBs as much as ours will appreciate having someone competent (even if not perfect) and ready.

GO MUNCHIE!

Gotta give props to a guy who is willing to fight to live his dream.

Say want you want about Munchie's throwing motion, his footwork, etc. but the guy is one tough SOB.

I wish him the very best...the kid has as much heart as I've seen any player have that has come through UC. He's also a leader and will do very well in life. I would hire him in a second for a leadership/management position.

(10-10-2013 08:02 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  I wish him the very best...the kid has as much heart as I've seen any player have that has come through UC. He's also a leader and will do very well in life. I would hire him in a second for a leadership/management position.

Bingo!

I wish him well, too but I wouldn't let Colosimo cut my pumpkin! He is a hack.

Please elaborate... how does that explain his rehab record?

Colosimo did great work on my Dad's shoulder.