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Kicking some asterisk

Posted September 26, 2007

Ran into former Buff quarterback John Hessler this week at the Dal Ward Center.

Hess continues to make an amazing recovery from his near-fatal car crash in 2003, when a hit-and-run driver caused an accident that left him in a coma for weeks. Every time I see Hess, he’s made strides. His progress is nothing short of remarkable.

And, the timing of bumping into him this week was perfect, given that the Buffs play Oklahoma on Saturday.

Avid Buff fans will remember that Hessler made his first start against the Sooners in 1995, replacing an injured Koy Detmer.

Before the game, then-OU coach Howard Schnellenberger grumbled that he wished Detmer were playing, saying he didn’t want any asterisk attached to the game just because the Buffs didn’t have their starting QB.

Hessler responded by throwing for 348 yards and five touchdowns in a 38-17 come-from-behind win.

Of course, newspapers in these parts the next day were more than happy to note that Hessler and the Buffs kicked Schnellenberger’s asterisk all over Norman.

“I still remember that,” Hessler said earlier this week, chortling at the thought. “I still have all those clippings in a scrapbook.”

It’s fun to remember games such as that.

But it’s inspiring to run into John Hessler, and watch as he continues to battle back from seemingly unbeatable odds.

The guy is tough.

Here’s to Hess.