Garrett Celek: An Enduring Force

Sept. 13, 2011

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Garrett Celek hauls in a touchdown pass during MSU's victory over Florida Atlantic on Sept. 10.

By Nick McWherter, MSU Athletic Communications Student Assistant

Injuries aren't something an athlete usually considers when embarking on a college football career. Instead, the focus is on memories, championships, and touchdowns. This season, Garrett Celek is ready to put his injury-riddled past behind him and looking forward to having a healthy season.

"I feel great - I can't wait to get out there and catch some balls, and hopefully score and just see what I can do," Celek said. "I feel I haven't reached my potential yet. I feel I have a lot to prove."

After recovering from an injury to his right shoulder during his sophomore year in 2009, Celek separated his left shoulder during last year's matchup against Florida Atlantic. Celek had two catches and a touchdown in the FAU game before suffering the shoulder injury that forced him to miss the remainder of last season.

"I knew exactly how to rehab it right away," Celek said. "Also, the first time I hurt my shoulder it was kind of a shock at first, I didn't really know how to handle it. After a few months everything started to become a lot easier. But with my second one, right away I was rehabbing it and I got surgery right away. I was able to get in the weight room and get back as fast as I could."

Celek has worked hard to get healthy and is primed to contribute to the Spartans' efforts this season. Offensive line coach Mark Staten had plenty of good things to say about Celek's determination and drive.

"Garrett is a resilient young man," Staten said. "He's been able to fight through things and as in life, the more you are able to fight through, the stronger you are for it. He's also an outstanding run blocker, and each year he has progressed in the passing game."

Fellow senior tight end Brian Linthicum has witnessed first hand how much work Celek has put in and the heart he has for the team.

"He always comes back and has never given up," Linthicum said. "He could have given up with both of his shoulder injuries. He is just a try-hard guy who is a great teammate. If he's out on the sideline with his shoulders, he will be there cheering on his teammates. He's a great person and a great teammate."

"Garrett is a resilient young man. He's been able to fight through things and as in life, the more you are able to fight through, the stronger you are for it."

- Offensive Line Coach Mark Staten

One person that was able to help Celek the most during the time he has spent battling injuries is his brother, Brent. Brent played for MSU head coach Mark Dantonio at Cincinnati and is now a tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles.

"The biggest thing is he always just pushed me, pushed me, pushed me," Celek said of his brother. "He is always setting the bar higher and higher, and I'm always trying to reach him. Because of that I have gotten better and better."

The Celek brothers share a special bond, having both played the same position for the same coach in college. It has allowed the solid foundation of their relationship to grow even stronger.

"He watches all my games," Celek said. "After some of the games he will give me a call and give me some pointers on what I can do. Even in the offseason he will come down and visit us, and kind of coach up the tight ends, try to give us some clues on how to get better. He's always there to help me - it's great."

Celek was recruited and offered a scholarship to play football for Dantonio at Cincinnati before the coaching staff decided to leave for Michigan State. Celek said there wasn't a doubt in his mind that if the offer still stood, he would follow them north to MSU. The familiarity that the Celek family shared with Dantonio and his staff ultimately became the deciding factor.

"The whole reason I was going to go to Cincinnati was because of Coach D and the coaching staff," Celek said. "When they decided to leave and come up here, he told me I still had a scholarship. I took it immediately. I knew if I went with them it would be a great experience."

Having been part of a Big Ten Championship team just a season ago, Celek is looking forward to being able to contribute toward another championship season in his last year at Michigan State.

"The number one thing is to stay healthy, improve my routes, and become a better blocker," Celek said. "I want to get in a lot and make a lot of big plays. I want to be the guy that Kirk (Cousins) can count on when it is third down and long and he knows he can get it to me to make a play and get the first down."

The Rose Bowl is the goal of all Big Ten programs, and rightfully so for the defending Big Ten Champion Spartans. Celek could not put into words what it would mean to make a trip to Pasadena to end his collegiate career.

"It would be a dream come true," Celek said. "Everyone has talked about it for the five years that I have been here. I can't even begin to describe how I would feel because I don't know. It would be amazing."

GETTING TO KNOW GARRETT
Favorite superhero:	Superman
If you could have lunch with anybody in the world:	"My grandmother."
Dream vacation spot:	Boca Grande, Fla.
Athlete you look up to:	"My brother, Brent."
Hidden talent:	"I'm pretty good at flying electric and gas-powered helicopters."