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After enduring back surgery in the offseason for two herniated disks, DeCremer was feeling better and hoping to contribute as a situational pass rusher.
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Kirk DeCremer wraps up Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer for a sack on this play at Camp Randall Stadium a year ago. |
But the plan ended during Wednesday’s practice when DeCremer re-injured the same two disks in his back, according to his mother.
“He was doing a one-on-one,” Kristin DeCremer said Sunday of the individual pass-rush drills in practice. “He felt both of his disks pop. He knew right then (what it was).”
UW coach Bret Bielema announced after Saturday’s 38-17 victory over Akron that Kirk DeCremer, a former Verona High School athlete, would likely not play football again.
“It’s just trying to take care of Kirk and make sure he’s OK,” Kristin DeCremer said. “First of all, that he’s in pain, that’s the hardest part. Because he has re-herniated those disks, the same ones, that’s difficult.
“Then, just making sure he stays involved. He wants to stay involved with the team in some aspect, so they’ll try to figure out a way to do that for him.”
Bielema mentioned helping out as a volunteer coach. That’s something defensive tackle Justin Ostrowski did for two seasons after his career ended with a knee injury early in the 2006 season.
“He thinks it sounds like a wonderful idea,” Kristin DeCremer said. “He said he has really enjoyed working with the new guys that have come in and helping them.”
The news that the career of Bielema’s first recruit is likely over hit the coach and his players hard. Kirk DeCremer committed to the Badgers in August 2005, shortly after it was announced Bielema, then the defensive coordinator, would be taking over for Barry Alvarez after the season.
Defensive tackle Brandon Hoey also had to give up football in camp because of a back problem. As many as eight defensive linemen were injured during spring practice.
“We got a little test during the spring, we’ve had a lot of guys go down,” junior defensive end O’Brien Schofield said. “You can’t sit and mourn too long about it.
“You’ve got to make sure the guy’s OK and keep going. You have to play, basically, for him. It was good for all of us to come together and put (DeCremer) on our shoulders. I know he would have loved to be out there. So, we just played for him (Saturday).”
DeCremer led the team with 5.5 sacks last season. He was productive despite not practicing much.
“He did that just so he could play on game day,” Kristin DeCremer said. “On game day, he said he didn’t feel a thing because he was so pumped up and absolutely loved it. But he lived with those herniated disks through the whole year. He coped and did the best he could.”
Kirk DeCremer underwent surgery shortly after the Outback Bowl and his mom visited him in the recovery room.
“He woke up from surgery and he looked at me when I went in the recovery room and said, ’Mom, I think I’ll be able to play again,’ ” Kristin DeCremer said. “He really thought he could do it. He wanted to do it.”
Kirk DeCremer’s father, Jim, a former UW basketball player, died unexpectedly in May 2004 at the age of 55.
That’s why being able to play last season meant so much to him.
“I think he’s very proud of what he did,” Kristin DeCremer said. “He loved playing. There’s a great passion and I think that was obvious.”
Kirk DeCremer made the dean’s list again last spring and plans to go into dentistry.
Kristin DeCremer said her son is coping the best he can.
“I think right now, it’s still a state of (he) can’t believe it,” Kristin DeCremer said. “(Saturday) night, he was with all his teammates and hung out, so that’s good. I think as long as he stays involved (with football), he’ll be OK.”
