Disappointing Season Ends Early for Schexnayder
Patrick Daly
Wednesday July 18, 2001
The year started with a bit of controversy when Schexnayder suited up for the San Francisco Demons in the now-defunct XFL after resigning with the Rattlers. Both sides worked the issue out and Schexnayder was ready to go when Rattlers training camp started in March.
Schexnayder started quickly by grabbing four touchdown passes against Chicago in a preseason game, but the first setback occurred the following week when Schexnayder suffered a separated shoulder against Los Angeles in the preseason finale. The injury caused him to miss the first four regular season games before he was activated prior to playing Indiana.
Over the next six games, Schexnayder showed some of the skills that enabled him to set new receiving records when he earned the AFL Offensive MVP in 1998. The highlight of the six-game stretch was his performance in a 55-49 victory in Tampa where he posted 13 receptions for 163 yards and five touchdowns, including the game winner in overtime.
Schexnayder missed the neutral site game against Houston in week twelve in order rest an injured hip, but he dressed the following week for the game against San Jose. Unfortunately, this would end up being his final game of the season. Already with 86 yards and three touchdowns under belt against San Jose in the first, he had kept Arizona in the game and seemed to be on pace for another stellar performance.
However, on what would be the Rattlers’ final possession of the first half, Schexnayder fielded the kickoff from San Jose kicker Jason Wells and turned up field for the return. When the injury occurred, it appeared that he was trying to stop his forward momentum and make a move to the right. The move put too much pressure on his leg and caused tears in ligaments in his right knee. With tears to both the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in his right knee there is no hope of returning this season.
Because of the speed and circumstances of the play, even Schexnayder himself is not exactly sure what happened.
“I’m getting a lot of stories,” said Schexnayder. “I jumped up in the air. I went to turn. It just went. I do remember going that way.”
Even watching the film hasn’t helped.
“I’ve seen the film, but it doesn’t really show,” he said.
“I’m very disappointed,” continued Schexnayder. “When stuff like this happens, when any type of injury happens, you think you can get back. When it’s season-ending and you don’t get a chance to go out there and help your team you really feel it. I go out there with a mindset to score four or five touchdowns…not to say that they depend on that, but that’s a boost in the offense.”
Fortunately, the Arizona Rattlers have Maurice Bryant available to take over the offensive specialist role in Schexnayder’s absence. Bryant filled that role last season and led the team in receiving yards, and he’s fully capable of helping Arizona light up the scoreboard.
“Hopefully, Maurice will pick it up,” said Schexnayder. “He’s a good guy. I really do feel that he’s a good player. If he can pick it up and have that mindset to go out there and just dominate everything will be alright.”
With no hope of returning this season, Schexnayder can only watch as the Rattlers try to ensure a playoff spot. In the meantime, he also has work to do to begin preparing for next year.
“Surgery in four weeks or less,” said Schexnayder about the healing process. “I’ll have to go through rehab and then try to be running by November.”
In addition to his goals for this season, Schexnayder had his eye on returning to an NFL camp following the Arena Football League season after spending time with the NFL San Diego Chargers in 2000. Unfortunately, this injury is a big setback.
“I was looking to go up to the next level with a couple of NFL teams,” said Schexnayder. “When this happens it really saddens me because this was one of the best opportunities I had.”
Hopefully, Schexnayder will be able to progress on schedule so that when he celebrates his birthday in November he’ll be able to give himself an important gift: full recovery.
Patrick Daly has been an Arena Football League enthusiast since he first stumbled across the late-night ESPN broadcasts and has followed the Arizona Rattlers since their inaugural season in 1992. He graduated from Arizona State University with an engineering degree and is currently a member of a web development team for Direct Alliance in Tempe. Patrick currently resides in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler, Arizona with his beautiful wife, son and a very large football helmet collection.
