After Injury, Constantine Wants To ‘Make The Most Of It’
September 22, 2016 | Football, General
By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
That first day, for Sean Constantine, it "was a rough one."
It was an afternoon that started strong. The linebacker was having a great fall camp. He had played his way into a contributing role on Washington's defense.
Then his season took a turn.
It was early in a scrimmage, Constantine's first play of the day. It was a screen to the outside. Chico McClatcher caught a pass and Constantine shed his block. He set a course for the receiver.
"All of sudden, someone rolled up on me and hit the top of my ankle," the junior said.
His season was over in an instant. He heard a pop that was followed by a shooting pain.
"I knew my season was over," he said. "I knew something was pretty bad."
After all the work invested throughout his career, the sensation was devastating.
"The very first day, right when it happened, that was a rough one," He said. "I was down."
But that feeling didn't last. When he woke up the next morning, his perspective changed.
"I thought, 'You can control what you can control,'" he said. "The rest is history. I can't just keep complaining about an injury, because that's not making me better."
Less than 24 hours after his season ended, Constantine found his silver lining. He thought about former teammates like Kasen Williams and Deontae Cooper, a pair of players who dealt with devastating injuries. He thought about the way the receiver and running back carried themselves throughout their recoveries. He decided that was a model worth following.
"Seeing those guys, how they treated their injuries, how they were like, 'Whatever, I'm going to get over this, I'm stronger than the injury, I'm going to be a man about this,' that helped me understand," Constantine said. "Everything happens for a reason. I'm going to come back from this stronger, better physically and mentally. I'm going to make the most of it."
It hasn't always been easy. That first week his foot hurt enough to keep him in the training room during practices. The injury didn't allow him to watch the team's season opener from the sideline. And, for the first time in several seasons, he won't be heading on the road with the Huskies.
But, as he recovers, he does whatever he can to remain connected to the team.
"It's kind of fun right now, because you get a perspective like more of a coach," he said. "You get to know how they watch film, see practice from the outside looking in. That's always beneficial.
"I still try to be out there and just try to be positive."
When Constantine is on the field, he glides from one end to the other with the help of a scooter. He jokes with teammates. He compliments good plays. He tries to "love them up" when a teammate has a tough day.
"I wish, if someone was in this position, they would do the same thing for me," he said. "That's what I try to do. I still try to be part of the team. I still try to be positive and helpful. If the guys need help, I'll help."
This isn't the way Constantine wanted his season to go. This wasn't a part of his plan. But that's the situation he has been thrust into.
"It's interesting getting this point of view, but I'm just happy to be here, happy to support them," he said. "That's all I can do."
And, with a smile on his face, Constantine has embraced his new role.
"I'm the biggest UW fan there is right now," he said. "I've taken that role, put that hat on."
