Michigan State notes: Arthur Ray Jr. receives emotional start after battling cancer
Published: Friday, September 02, 2011, 11:00 PM Updated: Saturday, September 03, 2011, 12:51 AM
Arthur Ray Jr.He started in place of team captain and four-year starter at left guard, Joel Foreman. Ray played the one play against Youngstown State, and then returned to the sidelines.
"The way that all transpired is Joel Foreman came to me and asked if we could do that," coach Mark Dantonio said. "It was a selfless act by Joel Foreman that’s the beautiful thing there. So, I want to make sure our players understood that. It wasn’t Mark Dantonio being a nice guy. It was Joel Foreman being selfless."
Ray, a 6-foot-2, 297-pound offensive tackle, was a part of the 2007 recruiting class for then-new coach Mark Dantonio.
He practiced in spring practice in April for the first time as a Spartan after a long battle with bone cancer, complications and infections.
He is a fourth-year senior in eligibility, and has been an inspiration to his teammates and coaches, though he has missed some practice this fall with soreness in his leg.
"A lot of emotions, a lot of different emotions," Ray said of walking on the field to play." I have been waiting for this moment for so long. It was a great feeling."
EnlargeMichigan State's Max Bullough (40) and Trenton Robinson celebrate a defensive stop. (Matt Gade | The Grand Rapids Press)College football: Michigan State 28, Youngstown State 6 gallery (28 photos)
For the next four years, Ray faced chemotherapy, several surgical procedures and multiple infections and spent almost two years on crutches.
He returned to school in 2008, though, and promised the team he would play again. Last fall, he hung around practice without crutches. By January, he was cleared to work out. In March, doctors cleared him to play.
"I found out at pregame meal," Ray said. "Coach D told me to stand up and told me in front of the guys. I was ecstatic."
Ray said it is just the beginning.
"Everybody’s else’s expectations for Arthur Ray have never been mine," he said. "It means stepping back on that field, proving everyone wrong. A lot of people thought I couldn’t get to this point. I am ready to keep going."
Lights go out
Two large light banks were brought in for the 10th night game in Michigan State history, and one went out briefly with 2:20 remianing in first half. After a short delay, the game continued with one bank of lights until the other was restored before the half ended.
Spartans honor Bubba Smith
Michigan State players had No. 95 decals on the back of their helmets, and will wear them for two more games in honor of former star Charles "Bubba" Smith, who died Aug. 3 at 66.
Smith is one of three Spartans to have their number retired.
The third game is against Notre Dame. Smith’s final game for Michigan State was the famous 1966 "Game of the Century" between No. 1 Notre Dame and No. 2 MSU. It ended in a 10-10 tie.
Sontagg selected as captain
Brad Sontagg, a senior wide receiver and holder for placekicking, was selected by the team’s unity council as the game’s fourth captain. The former walk-on served with elected captains Kirk Cousins, Joel Foreman and Trenton Robinson.
E-mail Greg Johnson: gjohnson@grpress.com and follow him on Twitter attwitter.com/gregjohnsongrp
I watched much of the Wisconsin-UNLV game Thursday and the Badgers certainly were impressive. Granted they never play poorly at home at night and UNLV has never been a powerhouse. On the other hand, I only read the stats of the SPARTY game and feel that the D has to improve their 3rd down stop rate. YSU had the ball almost 20 minutes in the first half. Improvement came in the second half and we hope the team is ready to continue to play good D when we visit the Irish the week after they hand the chUMps their first loss of another long season. Oh and I'm taking the Broncos with the 13 1/2 points today.
ReplyDelete