Bama NT, NFL Hopeful Josh Chapman played with Torn ACL

Bama NT, NFL Hopeful Josh Chapman Played with Torn ACL

If you've seen the Crimson Tide defense, you've seen plenty of NFL talent.  You've probably noticed Mark Barron flying around the field hitting anything that moved.  You may have seen Dont'a Hightower wrecking the run game like a sixteen year old driving a dually truck while blindfolded or even Courtney Upshaw knifing through the backfield, killing the play before it starts.

What could have gone unnoticed was the 315 pound nose tackle.  That would be often underrated Josh Chapman.  He's had the honors of clogging everything up the middle since Terrance Cody headed to the league.  He even filled in when Cody was out with an injury or just fatigued.

We have recently found out that during what could have been his career best game this year at Florida, he sustained a quite serious injury.  Not only did he finish the game, he finished the season.  Chapman didn't even realize the damage until later in the week.

"Normally I can deal with pain pretty well, but after three days I needed an MRI," Chapman said.  What he found out was he had a torn ACL and meniscus.  He decided to put off surgery until after the season.

What does Chapman think about the way he has dealt with injuries say about him?

"It's just part of my position," Chapman said. "One thing you have to do is learn how to fight through a lot of things. I learned it's not just about playing through injuries, but different circumstances on the field."

This is the nature of the position.  It's not just for big bodies.  It's a position of pure selflessness.  Here's a guy that's not looking out for his draft stock or physical well being.  He's looking to do any and everything he can to help his team win.  He'll likely be unable to participate in much of the events leading up to the NFL Draft, but if I were a GM, this would be the kind of football player I'd want.