PAGE B2 n february 2, 2012 n THST E ATE JOURNAL n frK aN FORT, KENTUCK Y Herzlich | May not Super Bowl XLVI get chance to play in SB

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1 sert a titanium rod that Herzlich desperately runs from his hip to just wants to play in the Su- above his knee. Then came per Bowl, though others more months of chemo, fol- might think being here lowed by five weeks of radi- with the Giants is victory ation to make sure the can- enough. He’s been recov- cer was gone. ering from an ankle injury “To be on crutches for 40 that sidelined him since years or be in a wheelchair, late November and says he that wasn’t a life I wanted to feels great, but is not sure if live,’ Herzlich said. “It was he will be on the active list risky, but it was a decision I for the showdown with the felt I had to make. I wanted New England Patriots on to be able to play with my Sunday. children, wanted to live a That didn’t stop him life worth living.” from tweeting his joy about The treatments were a being invited here as the Gi- success, and follow-up tests ants arrived in Indianapo- showed the cancer hadn’t lis on Monday for Sunday’s spread. After missing a year, game. he came back for a senior “2 yrs ago I was told I might never walk again. Just season at Boston College WALKED off plane in Indy that was solid, if not nearly to play in The (hash)Super- as spectacular as the last Bowl,” he told his 71,000 fol- season he played before his lowers. diagnosis. For a long time, playing The NFL invited him in big games seemed to be to New York for the draft, AP/Elise Amendola Herzlich’s destiny. He was though he wasn’t a first- N ew England Patriots quarterback dives over the middle to score on a 1-yard run against the during a dominating player at Bos- round pick. He wasn’t the second half of the AFC Championship game Jan. 22. ton College, so good he was picked at all, a slight that chosen ACC Defensive Play- bothered Herzlich but made er of the Year in 2008 after him even more determined having 110 tackles and six to play in the NFL. The Gi- interceptions as a junior. ants — acting on a “sug- But he kept getting sharp, P atriots’ Super Surge gestion” by co-owner John stabbing pains in his leg Mara, a BC graduate — fi- that seemed to come at ran- nally signed him to a rookie dom, often waking him up contract, and he made the N ew England unmatched in winning leading up to big game in the middle of the night. opening game roster. BY JOE KAY the NFL. They are tougher to alone to do it amid the late- a huge game, no matter the Doctors finally ordered an His playing time was APorts Sp Writer win when a lot’s on the line season pressure with every- opponent. We never over- MRI and diagnosed him in limited to special teams be- May 2009 with Ewing’s sar- as far as the playoffs are con- thing on the line. look anybody.” fore getting a start at mid- INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — coma, a form of bone cancer cerned.” “It really is, especially They’ve gotten some dle linebacker against the The New England Patriots that is fatal 30-40 percent of Tough, for sure, but it’s when you’re one of the top breaks, of course. The Ra- Eagles in late November. He don’t talk much about their the time — and 90 percent 10-game winning streak, a the Patriot way. teams,” said Colts kicker Ad- vens had a chance to end of the time if it spreads to played well, but injured his Of the 92 teams that have am Vinatieri, who won three that streak in the AFC ti- ankle the next week and has long run of success that is other areas of the body. highly unusual for anybody reached a Super Bowl, on- Super Bowls with New Eng- tle game, but Lee Evans been out since. The diagnosis hit him but hardly surprising for ly a dozen have come into land. “Everybody is shoot- had a pass stripped out of The ankle, he says, is hard. He went home and them. the game on a double-digit ing to knock you off. You his hands in the end zone upstairs to his room, where healed. It’s now a numbers Nobody is better than the winning streak, according don’t have to play as good as and Billy Cundiff missed a he contemplated a future game to see whether the Gi- Patriots at pulling off the su- to STATS LLC. The Patriots them; you have to play better 32-yard in the clos- that suddenly wasn’t so ants will activate him for per surge. took the longest winning almost every week. ing seconds, preserving New bright. the Super Bowl. New England has taken streak of all into the Super “The difference between England’s 23-20 win. “It was tough, very de- “I can’t even imagine more double-digit winning Bowl four years ago, an 18-0 winning or losing is one or Long winning streaks pressing,” Herzlich said. what it would feel like,” Her- streaks into the Super Bowl mark that left them one win two plays in a game, and the will get a team to the Super “Cancer was just some- zlich said “To even try to put than any other team. The from completing the NFL’s good teams know how to Bowl, but aren’t much of an thing that never crossed my it in words what I will feel Patriots (15-3) haven’t lost second perfect season. make those plays go in their indicator whether they’ll mind.” doesn’t even do it justice.” since Nov. 6, when they fell The Giants ended that favor.” lead to a title. Of the 11 pre- The depression didn’t One thing Herzlich is 24-20 to the New York Gi- quest with a 17-14 victory, So, why has New England vious Super Bowl teams last long. Two hours later, he sure of is he wants to con- ants, the team they’ll face leaving the 1972 Miami Dol- been so good at it? The Patri- with double-digit winning streaks, six came away as came down the stairs and tinue to offer hope to others again on Sunday at Lucas Oil phins as the only unbeaten ots have one of the best quar- champions: 1972 Dolphins, told his father that not on- diagnosed with cancer. Stadium. team at 17-0. New England terbacks in playoff history, 2003 Patriots, 1976 Raiders ly was he going to beat the He’s earned his large To put the streak in per- also had the third-longest a coach who knows how to cancer but was going to play spective, the Giants (12-7) streak, a 14-game stretch keep his team focused and (12-game streak), 1984 49ers Twitter following for his (11 games), 1986 Giants (11 football again. positive messages and, just didn’t win 10 games during that became 15 in a row a front office that’s com- “OK, “ Sandy Herzlich when the Patriots beat Car- mitted to getting an edge in games) and 2000 Ravens (10 before the Giants left for In- the regular season. said. “Let’s do it together.” olina to finish the 2002 sea- the games that matter most. games). dianapolis, called a young And it’s not a fluke. This is Doctors wanted to shrink son. Telling statistics: coach Bill The Giants were the woman in Georgia who was the third time that the Patri- the tumor by chemothera- The Raiders are the only Belichick is 17-6 in the play- last team to beat the Patri- about to undergo surgery ots have reached the Super py, then slice out a 12-inch Bowl on a winning streak of other team to take a double- offs, quarterback Tom Brady ots during the season, and for a tumor in her leg to of- section of Herzlich’s left at least 10 games, a measure digit winning streak into is 16-5 and the Patriots are they’ve been putting togeth- fer her some inspiration. thigh bone and replace it of the way they’ve not only more than one Super Bowl. 41-5 in December since 2001, er a nice little streak of their with a cadaver bone. But He barely thinks about won but dominated down For perspective, the Gi- the best record in the league own. They won their last that would have ended Her- his own leg anymore, except the stretch, when everything ants haven’t won 10 games in over that time. two in the regular season zlich’s football career, and every four months when he is on the line and opponents a row at any point since 1990, “It comes down to the sta- to reach the playoffs, then may have left him unable to goes for tests to make sure are just as desperate. when they opened 10-0 un- ples of the organization, the three more to get to the Su- walk again. the cancer hasn’t returned. “It’s tough to do — very der coach Bill Parcells and owner and the head coach,” per Bowl. He opted for a riskier So far Herzlich has tested tough,” linebacker Jerod went on to win the Super Mayo said. “(Belichick) nev- Their biggest asset is path, with chemotherapy clean, and he’s confident Mayo said Wednesday. “It’s Bowl. For any team to win er wavers. We prepare ev- quarterback Eli Manning, followed by surgery to in- that he is truly cancer free. tough to win one game in 10 straight is impressive, let ery week like we’re playing who led the last-minute drive that finished off the previously perfect Patriots four years ago and has got- ten even better this season at pulling out games. Man- ning threw an NFL-record Here’s My Card 15 touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and led six game-winning drives. With that, the Giants are 2012 BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY back again, looking at end- ing another impressive New England surge. Distributed in “I’m sure everybody’s Over 20,000 Distributed surprised,” tight end Jake Realtors | Physicians | Automotive Sales | Tax Preparation | Ballard said. “It’s not about Child Care | Web Design | Janitorial | Catering | Security | Pest The State Journal who has the best year, it’s about who gets hot at the Control | Home Repair | Plumbing | Financial | Accounting and right time. That’s kind of like Photography | Landscaping | Chiropractors | Apartments | our team this year.” Retail | Monuments | Lawn & Garden | Antiques | Insurance The AdVantage | Bakeries | Appliances | Industrial | Rental Properties | Storage | Employment Agencies | Travel | Farm Implements | MARCH 19, 2012 HTINGUN Education & Instruction | Hair Salons | Optometrists | Copiers | Auto Service | Furniture | Wedding Planners | Auctioneers Ducks Unlimited | Recycling | Duct Cleaning | Collision | General ... and it will be available Contractors | Coin Dealers | Pharmacy | Florists | throughout the year to area banquet planned 2012 Home Inspection | Hearing Aids | Funeral Homes | real-estate offi ces, tourism visitors Ducks Unlimited will Pools | Health Clubs | Tree Service | Satellite/TV | host a dinner with a silent Business bureaus, the chamber of commerce and live auction at Claudia Card Dentists | Waterproofi ng | Gift Shops | Massage | and other locations Sanders Dinner House on Dog Grooming | Restaurants | Pawn Shop | Home Friday, Feb. 3. Happy hour Directory Decor | Recreation | Carpet Cleaning | Pet Sitting begins at 5:30 with din- .... and more! ner following. Auction, raf- fle and prize items include $ guided hunts, guns, gear Cards grouped and listed alphabetically Just 99 and much more. by category Tickets are $50 single or per 3.25”x2” block $60 per couple. Children are For more information contact encouraged to attend. Join us on Facebook @ “Shel- Full Color on 70# Glossy Stock by County Ducks Unlim- The State Journal ited” or call (502) 321-1609 Advertising Department for more information or the ������������������ Deadline: Thursday, March 1 early bird discounts. The at 502-227-4556 Shelby County Ducks Un- limited Chapter sponsors the event.

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