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Parry Back in the Game: An Amputee Triumphs
By Miki Fairley It was 30 seconds of glory.
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Neil Parry |
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Neil Parry of the San Jose State Spartans had
waited nearly three years after undergoing amputation of his lower
right leg to play football again. And on September 18, he realized
his goal when the Spartans finally forced Nevada to punt in the
fourth quarter.
"Parry lined up over right tackle Carl LaGrone, who doubles as a
starting linebacker, and in a matter of seconds, the ball was in
the air. LaGrone fought off Parry's block, outran him downfield and
tackled Jamall Broussard after a two-yard gain," according to the
San Jose Mercury News.
The enthusiastic crowd chanted Parry's name as he came onto the
field and as he returned after the short play. He received a
standing ovation when his name was announced and again as he left
the field, noted the Associated Press. Parry's comeback was
thrilling for his fans and family. Media coverage--local, national,
and world--has been intense. In fact, the list was so long of media
representatives waiting to interview him that The O&P EDGE
wasn't able to get an interview by press time.
 The game culminated a long journey from the time
Parry suffered a compound fracture during a game against the
University of Texas-El Paso October 14, 2000. Life-threatening
infections led to amputation of his lower right leg nine days
later. Parry has undergone 25 operations, plus clearing insurance
red tape, to be able to play again.
However, Parry was disappointed in the play. "I didn't hit
anybody," he said, according to the Mercury News. "I wanted to do
my job better than I did." The Spartans lost to the Wolf Pack
42-30.
This perfectionism and determination has carried Parry to the
point of being, as far as known, the first non-kicker with a
prosthetic limb ever to suit up for NCAA football.
Parry's Prosthesis
Parry's prosthetist, Mike Norell, president/CEO of Norell
Prosthetics, Mountain View, California, also is a perfectionist,
and he loves a prosthetic challenge. "I'm very meticulous in trying
to help people upgrade as much as I can, and with Neil, the sky's
the limit," he says.
 Neil's football leg includes a high-tech carbon
graphite suction socket with supracondylar suspension. Auxiliary
suspension is provided by a pin. "He has a tight plug fit now; the
leg is definitely holding suspension," Norell said. The prosthesis
includes a high-impact, energy-storing Renegade foot from Freedom
Innovations. "He walks better in this foot and looks more natural,"
Norell said. The entire prosthesis weighs the same or less than
just Parry's previous feet alone, Norell noted. He put a CTi ACL
knee brace from Innovation Sports over the top for stabilization
and also includes an AlphaŽ liner from Ohio Willow Wood. Said
Norell, "It's a marriage of several companies' products as I try to
make the perfect leg. I know I'll never get the totally perfect
leg, but I want to keep on trying."
Parry also has had the Ertl surgical procedure, which Norell
feels has enhanced his use of the prosthesis. In fact, Norell is so
enthusiastic about the Ertl Procedure that he plans to join with
other healthcare professionals to present lectures to surgeons
regarding the technique.
Neil's Future
What does Parry's football future hold? More chances to see
action are in the works, according to Coach Fitz Hill, quoted in
the Mercury News. "We're looking to expand his involvement on
special teams as much as possible," Hill said. "He's practicing
with other units, such as the kickoff teams."
Football runs in Parry's family--his older brother, Josh, is a
fullback for the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad and was the
Spartans' team captain and star linebacker when Neil was injured.
Commenting on Neil's determination, Josh Parry said, as quoted by
the Associated Press, "I love the game. But I just don't know if I
have what he has." The rest of this football season will doubtless
see more action from a guy who couldn't quit--despite
amputation.
Table Of Contents - November 2003
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