The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Greene is NDC’s biggest supporter
South grad sitting out 2018 with knee injury
D.J. Greene was 6 years old when he began playing football.
The 2018 season is his first since in which he won’t play a down. The Willoughby South graduate is sitting out this season after suffering a devastating knee injury halfway through the 2017 season.
Yet the Notre Dame College senior has not missed a practice. Every day, he dons his helmet, shoulder pads and cleats. He run drills, but mostly he watches and encourages from the sideline.
It’s been a year to be a leader off the field for the 2014 Tony Fisher Award winner. His Notre Dame College teammates have taken the football program to new heights with a 13-0 season, and spot in a Dec. 8 national semifinal against No. 1-ranked Valdosta State.
Greene likely won’t be making the nearly 13-hour trip south to Georgia. He also hasn’t dressed for any games in 2018. Each game, the 6-foot, 210-pound running back sits in his usual spot, which is in the stands directly behind the offensive bench.
In his stead, freshman Jaleel McLaughlin stepped in and had a historic season with 2,246 rushing yards. Greene has been big in McLaughlin’s development as the two formed a bond in the team’s August camp.
It’s been a year of recovery and patience for Greene, who will return in 2019 for his final season at NDC. As for 2018, he’s been the Falcons’ No. 1 cheerleader this fall, and Greene is fine with that.
“All summer, I knew I was sitting out (the season), so it was all about getting my mind ready to be the leader these guys need me to be,” said Greene, who has averaged 104 yards in 26 career games at NDC.
Coach Mike Jacobs has a relatively young team — his quarterback Chris Brimm and McLaughlin are freshmen — so Greene’s presence has been vital in any capacity.
“It’s important that he’s here (at practice),” said Jacobs.
“Important that our young guys see him working hard and doing things the right way as much as he’s able to. I think he’s setting a real fine example of how you go about in the type of situation that he’s in.
“I’m proud of the way he’s handling himself, especially in the classroom.”
VASJ grad Marvelle Ross is a junior with 1,784 allpurpose yards and 13 total touchdowns. His production, along with McLaughlin’s, has helped offset the loss of Greene in 2018, but that doesn’t mean Greene doesn’t wish he was out there with his NDC buddies.
He’s been patient with his rehab, and is expected to be 100 percent for the start of spring drills. When Greene does return, he’ll have a new perspective of football.
“Appreciate (the game) while it’s there,” said Greene. “It’s been hard (not playing) but not because
we’re winning. It’s tough knowing I could go out there and help these guys. It’s difficult knowing I could take some of the pressure off (Jaleel).”
McLaughlin has had to take the bulk of carries this season with 346 attempts in 13 games. The luxury of Greene’s return in 2019 means the days of McLaughlin, who’s just 173 pounds, toting it 26 times per game (his average this season) might be over.
As for his football fix, watching his teammates on game days and attending practices helps that. Beyond that, Greene’s impact is best described by the people who see and watch him every day in practice.
“D.J.’s still coming out here with a positive attitude,” said Ross. “D.J.’s presence is much-needed on this team. By not being not the field, that doesn’t change him. He’s the same person. Nothing’s changed.”
“All summer, I knew I was sitting out (the season), so it was all about getting my mind ready to be the leader these guys need me to be.”