Dr. Tom Heiser Chose Life and Relishes It Every Day

UNMC Rededicates Renovated Fitness Facility to Dr. Tom Heiser

Heiser Joins List of Bremser Merit Awards Dating Back to 1974

Randy York’s N-Sider

Official Blog of the Huskers

Nearly halfway into the 2016 college football season, Dr. Tom Heiser, M.D., Nebraska’s orthopaedic team physician, has received two major awards – 1) the Lyell Bremser Merit Award with his wife, Nancy, last month; and 2) the rededication of the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s renovated fitness facility, named in his honor, last weekend.

Those who know Dr. Heiser, a Nebraska wingback letterwinner in 1974 and '75, understand how modest he is about being able to continue his medical career despite a paralyzing spinal-cord injury on a family vacation in Hawaii 26 years ago.

Awards are not primary motivators for dedicated people like Heiser, whose stamina and fortitude are major components of his overall character. In Heiser’s mind, they are more like milestones for ordinary individuals who find the strength to persevere despite overwhelming obstacles.

“Tom Heiser is both mentally tough and very competitive,” Dr. Pat Claretold me Wednesday. “Tom’s accident took him to the depths of how do you hold on now? He has done it because of his commitment to his family and his strong religious faith.”

Put that combination together, and Clare, Nebraska’s retired team physician, believes Heiser is one of those rare heroes who’s devoted his life to something bigger than himself.

Omaha World-Herald Photo

Clare Remembers Heiser Saying ‘I Chose Life’ and He Relishes It Every Day

“I once heard Tom say how people give up, so he said ‘I chose life’,” said Clare, who has seen his medical partner relish that life every day, whether it’s good or bad. “He knew what that meant because there was no going back. There’s no medical treatment, at least right now, that’s going to change his situation. But he did it anyway.”

Dr. Heiser “had a tremendous amount of support from his family, especially from his wife, Nancy, who is a saint,” Clare said. “She has so much responsibility but always has a smile on her face. She’s just tremendous.”

The same description fits her husband, a true hero who voluntarily walked into the unknown when life’s lights seemed so dim.

“Tom’s good and really quite healthy because he takes very good care of himself, just like his wife, friends and family,” Clare said. “He just has a terrific attitude about things. It’s like ‘well, here I am. What am I going to do about it?' You go one way or the other and Tom chose to go the other way...the strong way.”

Small wonder why the University of Nebraska Medical Center revamped and rededicated its fitness facility, named in Heiser’s honor. “I couldn’t go to the rededication, but I saw it over the weekend and it’s a really classy deal,” Clare said.

“It’s a student center with all kinds of conditioning,” Clare said. “You can go in there and work out and blow off some steam. It’s right on the (UNMC) campus, so it’s accessible. I think it's a perfect facility for all the medical students."

Center Rik Bonness (1973-74-75), wingback Tom Heiser (1974-75) and defensive end Bob Martin (1973-74-75).

Lyell Bremser Special Merit Award Recognizes Public Service and Self-Sacrifice

Last month’s Lyell Bremser Special Merit Award was equally meaningful to the Heiser family. The Nebraska Football Hall of Fame is sponsored by the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame.

Inaugurated by the Nebraska chapter in 1974, the Bremser Special Merit Award honors individuals with a background of interest in and support of intercollegiate football and have made a sizeable contribution to society through public service and/or self-sacrifice.

Dr. Tom Heiser and wife Nancy were gracious recipients, and Tom represented both with an eloquent acceptance speech. Son Mark attended the football banquet and oldest son Nick, along wife Rachel, gave the keynote address at the UNMC rededication.

Thanking the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame for executing what he called a monumental task, Dr. Heiser thanked Tom Osborne last month for giving him the opportunity to play at Nebraska.

“Everyone knows what that means to a young boy growing up with the dream of playing here,” Heiser said. “Thank you very much for that and all you have done for us since.”

From left: Dr. Nick Heiser holding son Henry, his wife Rachel, Nancy, Tom, Jessica Schmidt, son Mark Heiser.

Heiser Thanked ‘The Fox’ for Helping Him Become an Academic All-American

One of Tom Heiser’s best experiences as a Nebraska student-athlete was being selected as one of 11 Scholar Athletes by the NFFHF. “I give much of the credit to the late Don Bryant, who we affectionately called ‘Fox,’” Heiser said. “He wore a lot of hats in the Athletic Department, but he was the best at promoting athletes for national awards and there are many of us deeply indebted to him for that.”

In addition to becoming the fourth Husker to receive the prestigious NFFHF Scholar Athlete recognition in 1975, “Touchdown Tommy” Heiser, the pride and joy of Columbus, Neb., was also an Academic All-American, who went on to receive his medical degree at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine.

The Lyell Bremser Award was equally meaningful because “many of the people here remember the days when the only games that were televised were Notre Dame and their opponent, and one other game of the week,” Heiser said.

Remember When Huskers Would Be on TV Once a Season, Plus a Bowl Game?

“Most years, Nebraska would only be on TV once a season, and then, of course, in the bowl game,” pointed out Heiser (No. 27 pictured above). “Lyell Bremser was our eyes for Nebraska football. He had the greatest voice to relay the intensity and excitement of the game.

“I can still hear Lyell saying the names Harry Wilson, Freeman White, Wayne Meylan, Dennis Claridge and, of course, Johnny ‘The Jet’ Rodgers,” Heiser said. “I regret I never had the opportunity to meet Lyell Bremser because he was where the dream started for many Nebraska kids who were destined to be Husker football players."

Heiser thanked wife Nancy for her love and support through the years. “She's really the All-Star when it comes to giving of herself for our family,” he said.

The Heisers did not persevere alone. Dr. Heiser ended his acceptance speech praising the city of Lincoln and thanking the University of Nebraska. “No matter how much we could ever do for the University," Dr. Heiser said, "it would never be enough to repay what's been given to us.”

Send a comment to ryork@huskers.com (Please include city, state)

Follow Randy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RandyYorkNsider

N-Sider Archives

Voices from Husker Nation

What a great article. Tommy was few years behind me at Columbus High while I was at Scotus High School. His dad, E.N. Heiser, was our family doctor. My senior year I had a case of turf toe in my right big toe. I was also a straight-on kicker so I needed that foot to work. I went to E.N. and he jerked my toe around. I screamed and he said "Guess it hurts." I'm all wet from sweat when he comes out with this needle the size of a soda straw. When E.N. injects you, he lets you have it. A few moments later, I'm walking normally with no pain. I had a great game that night. That's when E.N. was asking me questions about where I was going to play football in college. I said I didn't know and hadn't given it much thought. I said who would want a small Class C football player? Tommy's dad said I was going to go to Nebraska. I said what? Later, I thought about it. What does E.N. know? Maybe he didn’t know anything about NU or me and maybe it didn’t matter. But he planted a seed in me that just started the thought that I could play at Nebraska, and it did happen. I've found that in life, you can unknowingly say some kind words to someone without knowing them well, or knowing they are in need, and it changes their life. I appreciate the article on Tommy. I know he's a bigger man than I am, and I can think of him when I feel sorry for myself. Keep up the great work of capturing the essence of the story and the person. Thanks. Bill Kosch, Lincoln, Nebraska (Editor's note: Kosch lettered at Nebraska in 1969, '70 and '71 and was a starting safety on the Huskers' first two national championship football teams).

Very inspiring story on Dr. Heiser. Some people can show us all what courage is! Thanks Tom! Keith Wortman, 1970-71.