Zinter says leg is only a minor issue at NFL combine
There are a few things Zak Zinter has learned after a season-ending injury: he’s a fast healer and he rediscovered a deep love of football.
Zinter, the former Michigan starting right guard who was a co-captain and consensus All-American last season, has almost fully recovered from the broken tibia and fibula in his left leg he suffered against Ohio State in the final regular-season game. He has participated in interviews during the NFL combine this week and plans to bench press at Michigan’s Pro Day on March 22.
Michigan had a record 18 players invited to the combine, including six offensive linemen. They will be on the Lucas Oil Stadium field Sunday for their workouts.
What Zinter might not have expected after the injury that kept him from playing in the Wolverines’ final three games on their way to the national championship, is the realization the game means everything to him.
“I think it made me fall in love with the game again,” Zinter said Saturday during a media session at the Indianapolis Convention Center. “I’ve been playing forever and just the feeling I got not being able to play really just showed me how much I do love playing this game. It kind of brought that spark back to me wanting to get back out there, pushing me to rehab this leg and get back in fighting shape.”
Zinter was blocking when an Ohio State player was pushed into him and fell on his leg.
“I heard the pop, and I felt it and I saw it going sideways, and I was like, ‘It’s really messed up,’” Zinter told The Detroit News last December. “I was just lying there, taking deep breaths and the doctor came out and straightened it and you could feel the bones moving around.”
He was surrounded by his teammates on the Michigan Stadium field before Zinter was moved to a cart that took him from the field. The fans chanted, “Let’s go Zak!” as the left the field, and he held up his left fist and gave a thumbs up. Ohio State players and coaches clapped for Zinter as he passed their bench on the way to the tunnel.
While training for the NFL Draft, Zinter said he got to know several Ohio State players who were with him in Texas.
“All really good dudes, honestly,” Zinter said. “You see the videos of them praying for me right away, and it just comes to show, it’s more than football. You never want to see that happen to anyone. We’re out there to compete, play the game, so it was special to see that and getting to know them, they’re all really good dudes.”
During interviews with NFL teams, Zinter said they’ve asked him about the injury and then quickly shifted to cover other topics.
“Everyone’s really asked about it, but it’s been quick,” he said. “They see me moving around great. Feeling good. We had some medical (Friday), we finished up some medical today, I’m gonna be ready to roll in a month and a half. I’ll be football ready. It’s not a huge concern with a lot of teams just seeing me move around really well.”
After Zinter’s injury in the third quarter against Ohio State, right tackle Karsen Barnhart shifted to right guard and Trente Jones came in at right tackle. They also participated in the combine. Barnhart said Saturday that Zinter set the bar high for the offensive line.
“Zinter is one hell of a leader,” Barnhart said. “He’s somebody that everybody should want to look up to and chase. His athleticism, the way he is as a person, his character, the way he carries himself, he’s something else. I love Zinter to death and he’s a great part of our culture last year and what we did last year.”
Only a few days after surgery, Zinter was back at the football building to be with his teammates as they prepared for the Big Ten championship game. Five weeks after the injury when Michigan reached Houston for the national title game, Zinter was walking without crutches and he was very much a part of meetings and flexed his leadership muscles.
As he moves toward the next step in his football career, the love of the game is more profound and he believes he’s more than ready.
“I think I’ve had a hell of a career,” Zinter said. “I ended up getting hurt toward the end of the last season (and) that put a lot of doubt in some media’s heads. I think there’s a lot of misconceptions of what happened, if it was ACL or ankle or whatnot.”