Who would've thought two of the year's gutsiest performances would be from the same person, involving the same two teams? In week three vs Oakland, Brian Griese lead the Broncos to a win IN Oakland- something that's VERY hard for any team to do. He ended up needing 12 stitches in his chin and had a torn labrum in his shoulder, which would require offseason surgery. But he stayed in the game and got Denver a very important conference win.
The next time something happened was November 13, 2000 on Monday Night Football. The game was in Denver and the Raiders wanted this win a LOT. In the first quarter, Brian got sacked hard and was pulled out. He went to the locker room, took a shot of cortisone and told his coach he just bruised his shoulder and that he could go back in. He did. He lost a little 'oomph' on the ball but executed a drive in the last minute of the game (actually last :56 seconds) that resulted in a game winning field goal from Jason Elam.
After the game, it was announced Brian suffered a third-degree shoulder seperation during that first quarter hit, something that makes quarterbacks shudder even to think of. Everyone wondered how he played with such a devastating injury and no one questioned his toughness. Brian ended up missing the rest of the season, seeing only a little game action in the last regular season game.
Be sure to vote for Brian for this honor- he's earned it more than anyone - Here's the link. |
