|
 Nix told the media Thursday night that it was a hard to miss the
rest of the season, but said he decided to have the surgery to
repair a torn meniscus in his left knee after talking to doctors
with the school and getting a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews.
"They think it's best for my health," he said.
The 6-foot-2, 349-pound senior who didn't play as a freshman has
been projected as a possible first-round draft pick. He hasn't
decided whether to turn pro or return to Notre Dame for a final
season of eligibility.
He had been playing with the injury all season, saying the knee
first bothered him in the national championship game against Alabama
last January. Earlier this season he also was diagnosed with
tendinitis in the same knee.
"We just came to the realization that he's tried really hard to make
it work the best he could. He just couldn't go," coach Brian Kelly
said.
Kelly said doctors also performed platelet rich plasma therapy on
the knee Thursday to try to help with the healing.
Nix said he felt a sharp pain during the game against Pittsburgh on
Nov. 9. He said pain became worse during the off week as he walked
around campus. He had a hard time sitting in classes and sleeping
because of the pain.
"It's been like that all year, but it worsened," he said.
The decision was especially difficult for Nix because the Irish
(7-3) play BYU (7-3) on Saturday and his father, who has never
attended a game at Notre Dame, and mother are going to be at the
game for senior day. He also said it was hard knowing he won't be
able to help his teammates.
"I battle for my teammates and I play hard for them, so it hurts me
because I can't do anything," he said. "At this point I'm going to
try to be the biggest cheerleader."
[to top of second column] |
The Irish have been struggling with injuries
along the defensive line all season. Kelly said Kona Schwenke,
who missed the Pitt game with a sprained ankle, and Jarron Jones
will split time at nose guard.
Nix said it will be six weeks before he can begin moving around
and another few weeks to get his left leg healthy, so he won't
be able to play in a bowl game.
Nix said he's happy his mother, who couldn't attend his senior
day in high school because she couldn't afford to take the time
off from work, and his father will be able to be on the field
with him Saturday.
"I'm happy for them because they get to share something special
with me at this great university. Because they know it turned my
life around," he said. "I had a lot of things growing up, a lot
of issues. A lot of things that could have happened to me that
didn't."
Nix hasn't thought a lot about whether to turn pro and isn't
sure what factors will weigh in his decision.
"I don't know what to consider. This is a great place, a great
university and it's done a lot for my life. I feel like if I do
come back it will still do numerous things for me and it will
help me out. So there are a lot of choices on both sides," he
said.
He's focused now on getting healthy, not on the NFL, and doesn't
know when he will make a decision.
"I don't think either decision is wrong," he said.
Nix, who committed to Notre Dame after Charlie Weis was fired
and before Kelly was hired, finishes the season with 27 tackles
this season through eight games and 122 career tackles in 34
games. Kelly said if Nix doesn't return, he'll be remembered for
his competitiveness.
"He's also that marquee defensive lineman that Notre Dame has
not had in a long time, that physical presence on the defensive
line that was talked about a lot when I got here that Notre Dame
couldn't get. So he set a great precedent that you can get those
players at Notre Dame and they can succeed," he said.
[Associated
Press; TOM COYNE]
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