Giving the Finger for College Football: NFLers Take Note!

Dedication is just another word for hardcore, and Trevor Wikre is hardcore.

Wikre plays for the Mesa State Mavericks of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, and earlier this week, while attempting to make a block during practice, caught his little finger in his teammates' jersey. 

He admits there was an odd sensation in his pinky after the play, but he brushed it off as a piece of tape slipping off. 

Turns out it was a compound fracture. When he removed his glove, he discovered the bone in his finger had snapped and ripped through the skin, jutting out at an odd angle.

It was a both a season and career-ending injury. Doctors would have to insert a metal pin, set the finger, and wait six months for it to heal.  

It is at this point those of sound body and mind would accept their fate. Football would have to take a permanent back seat, leaving behind only fond memories of sunny, breezy days on the gridiron to be shared with grandchildren in the far-off future.

For Wikre, he left behind his pinky.

Not content to have his football career end because of a compound fracture of his little finger, Wikre told doctors to amputate it, allowing him to keep his dream of playing ball alive and keeping him sidelined only one game instead of the remainder of the season.

Some call him crazy but his dedication to the sport is certainly admirable compared to some of those playing pro-ball. The Cincinnati Bengals come to mind.

This season is no different then the last few seasons. 2008 has seen the Bengals go 0-4, adding to the already dismal statistic of 114-194 since 1989.

Since April of 2006 up until the present day, there have been 10 Bengals players arrested, including Chris Henry, who, since being drafted, has been arrested five times for possession of marijuana, possession of a concealed firearm, improper exhibition of a firearm, aggravated assault with a firearm, and assault.

This is a team that has flourished at being pathetic, a team that has done little to improve its fortunes, that continuously falls flat, and constantly talks about change while doing nothing to bring it about.

There are but a few Bengals examples, but it shows a surprising lack of dedication to the sport that hundreds, maybe even thousands, would happily give up everything for.

Wikre is willing to give up his pinky finger. Chances are, he'd be willing to give up a lot more for a shot at the NFL, and that's more than guys like Chris Henry are willing to sacrifice.