Grixby Attacks Defenses and Life Head On

By Jerry Trickie
Despite his stellar credentials coming out of high school, nothing has come easy for DeAntae Grixby since enrolling at Nebraska in January 1998. Even getting to that point was somewhat difficult, as he had to delay his enrollment from the fall semester to spring after suffering a shoulder injury in an all-star game at the end of his senior season.

Since then, he has endured a trio of injuries that resulted in lost time on the playing field, and made a position change, moving from I-back, the coveted position in Nebraska’s ground attack, to fullback where he is finally getting adjusted this season.

But make no mistake, Grixby’s story is not one about what could have or should have been. It is about someone stepping up to the plate when times are tough and giving his best shot.

"Adversity makes a person strong and I’m stronger by this," Grixby said. "The injuries were something that just happened. The more that I had to look at things on the field and I couldn’t contribute, that was the hard part. I was frustrated not being able to get out there and help contribute and help celebrate and help make a play."

Grixby’s never-give-up attitude has benefited him this year while trying to overcome a leg injury suffered late in the preseason. Now that he is getting back to 100 percent healthwise, Grixby is anxious to get back to work.

"Before the season started, I was expecting to play a lot at the fullback position and basically on all the special teams," Grixby said. "Now I’m easing my way back into it day by day. I was able to do more last week than the week before, so the outlook is pretty good."

Last week, Grixby made his first carry of the season, a one-yard run in NU’s 48-12 win over Texas A&M. The week before marked Grixby’s first appearance of the year, when he produced a key block against Missouri that allowed I-back David Horne to sprint into the end zone untouched.

With his season starting to get back on track, Grixby wants to take advantage of his situation since he knows this is his last go around with the Huskers.

"This being my last year, I’ve realized I’m going down the last stretch and there is no tomorrow," Grixby said. "I was frustrated I missed five games this year, but I’m glad that I have the opportunity to play again."

The Omaha native plans to use that opportunity to set an example for the younger players every chance he gets.

"I’m going to just try to contribute, not make mistakes and be a team leader as a senior," Grixby said. "I want to keep the team on track and be one of the main leaders out there."

Grixby has past experience at providing that leadership after serving an important role on the Husker special teams the past three years. During that span he recorded eight tackles, including six in 2000 when he had the most tackles of any offensive player. Grixby has also seen action in the Husker backfield during his career, carrying 41 times for 175 yards. His best season came in 2001 when he had 104 yards on 25 carries while helping the Huskers reach the national title game.

Grixby’s attitude and drive is the same whether he is on the field or in the classroom. His determination and focus helped him earn a degree in business administration in May 2003, one of 10 Huskers to enter this fall with a degree in hand.

With his graduation behind him, Grixby is set to head into the real world next spring. But leaving college behind raises a whole new set of questions that need to be answered, the first of which is, what comes next?

"Right now I have to figure out what I want to do," Grixby said. "It’s hard to decide because I have a family to take care of."

Taking on the challenges of parenting for his two-year-old son, TaeVyn, while also being a student and athlete has had its rewards for Grixby.

"Parenting itself is hard enough without going to school and playing football, but it has made me a better person, a better man," Grixby said. "It changes your priorities. It’s not just about me any more, or making the NFL. It’s about making sure I have a job lined up so I can take care of my son. It changes the way you think and the way you act sometimes."

Grixby’s maturity level along with his easy-going nature and knowledge of the game have led him to think there is one field he may want to enter after this season: coaching. While he still has some concerns with making that jump, whatever profession he chooses or the challenges it provides, Grixby will tackle the situation head on like the challenges in his past.