Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Football Loses Veteran Center
5/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
May 16, 2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State senior Brian Ottney, who started 33 consecutive games at center, has decided to forgo his fifth and final year of eligibility, citing chronic knee problems. Spartan first-year head coach John L. Smith confirmed Ottney's decision Friday, May 16.
The 6-foot-6, 302-pound Ottney graded out 90 percent or better in 10 of 12 games as a junior in 2002 while producing a team-high 65 pancakes. He posted his top grades of the season vs. Eastern Michigan, Northwestern, Iowa and Indiana, scoring 97 percent in each game. Ottney recorded a season-best 11 pancakes vs. Notre Dame (92 percent). He was presented the Up Front Award as the team's outstanding interior offensive lineman in 2002, becoming only the second repeat recipient in the 28-year history of the trophy. Former All-America tackle Tony Mandarich won the award three straight years from 1986-88.
"We fully support Brian Ottney's decision to end his playing career," Coach Smith said. "Brian's long-term health is our No. 1 concern.
"We're certainly going to miss his leadership, experience and toughness."
"This is the toughest decision I've ever had to make," Ottney said. "Football has been the most important thing in my life and I leave the game with many regrets. I've had three knee surgeries and I've played with a great deal of pain. I set many goals as a player, including some beyond my college career, but that's impossible now.
"I'm extremely competitive and it killed me not being able to participate in the same drills as my teammates during practice. After games, I couldn't take a step without pain. With the knee injuries, I have never been able to play to my full ability. As a result, I feel as though I have cheated my teammates and myself.
"It's in my best interest to walk away from the game," Ottney continued. "I didn't want to put myself in the situation where I needed a total knee replacement at age 40. I want to be able to run and play with my kids. That's something I wouldn't be able to do if I found myself in a wheelchair.
"The timing has been difficult because I was really looking forward to playing for John L. Smith. He is an outstanding coach and he has assembled a great staff. John L. has brought a great deal of energy to the football program and it won't be long before he gets it turned around. The program is in good hands and the future is bright for Spartan football."
As a sophomore in 2001, Ottney played a key role in enabling tailback T.J. Duckett to rush for 1,420 yards - the fifth-best single-season total in Spartan history. He proved to be a model of consistency, grading out 90 percent or better in 11 of 12 games. Ottney also led the Spartans with a career-best 82 pancakes. He was named Spartan Offensive Player of the Week vs. Michigan after scoring a season-high 97 percent, with 15 pancakes.
In 2000, Ottney earned second-team Freshman All-America honors from The Sporting News, starting the last nine games of the season. He sat out the first two games of the 2000 season with a sprained left knee.
He was granted a medical redshirt after missing the entire 1999 campaign with a shoulder injury.
A native of Troy, Mich., Ottney started all but one game during his three-year career (33 of 34 games). He graded out 90 percent or better in 30 of his 34 games. Ottney registered 221 career pancakes, including six double-figure games.
Ottney, who received his bachelor's degree in building construction management on May 3, is engaged to Lacy Hauxhurst, a senior catcher on the Spartan softball team. The wedding is scheduled for May 2004.
