By Stephen Cooney

There is only one player on the football field who touches the ball more than the quarterback: the center. For the Hofstra Pride this man is Jason Goodman a 6’0, 284lb senior and three-year starter, but last year he was told he may never start a football game again.

On October 7 2006, during a game against Villanova Goodman returned to the huddle after a play and told his teammates that he thought he had broken his wrist. Urged by his teammates Goodman ignored his own pain and walked to the ball for the next play.

“I went up to the ball and couldn’t open my hand.” Goodman said. “I put my hand on the ball. We were in shotgun and I knew I couldn’t get the ball back to the quarterback.”

Goodman then called time out and was in a daze. He was unsure of what to do until teammates urged him to stay down. The trainers took Goodman from the field and then into the training room. Goodman was then told that this injury was very serious and faced with the possibility of never playing again. “It was just my hand.” Goodman thought but it turned out to be a more severe right wrist injury, his snapping hand. “I called my dad from the training room. I thought it was my fault.” Goodman said. “Football is a huge deal to me. I had some tears thinking I wasn’t gonna play again.”

The injury was not Goodman’s fault but did require a six-hour surgery, five months in a shoulder cast, two pins and four screws, constant rehab, spring football on the sidelines and his perseverance and ability to overcome. Goodman was able to come off the injury and retake his job as the starting center of the Pride.

Even though Goodman is back in full pads and centering a strong Pride Offensive line his injury is still present. “It crushes me.” Goodman said. “I have to fight the pain every day.”

A CIT Wrist OTS helps keep Goodman on the field and his wrist safe. “It is a titanium wrist brace, it has a lock and stops my wrist from going all the way back.” The brace is small but when placed on his wrist it stops his hand from covering a full range of motion and being re-injured during battles with the defensive line. The brace may seem like a bother on the snapping hand of a center who says he is now forced to snap the ball harder to make sure it reaches the quarterback, but Goodman did not complain about the brace only complement it. “I have smaller hands it makes it harder on my wrist.” Goodman said with a laugh. “The brace’s padding that crosses my palm helps me hold the ball.” Goodman also praised the fact that the brace allows him another chance to play.

“The injury humbled me a little. I do not get that oh God it is practice feeling that players tend to get.” Goodman said. “I appreciate every day, and every game, and how close I was to losing it.”

With his braced wrist Goodman is back on the field assuring that the second man to touch the ball will get it securely every play. He also spent spring practice learning how to snap with his left hand just incase it becomes necessary. Goodman has centered an offensive line that has led the way to a 5-0 start. Not a bad recovery for a player who thought he may never play again.

Photo courtesy Sean M. Gates (Sean M. Gates)