Friday, Oct. 24, 2008

RNE's Bonds invited to All-American Bowl

RNE’s injury-prone senior is only S.C. player picked for Army’s all-star game

Chris Bonds could not stop smiling.

The Richland Northeast senior defensive end was smiling even before he received an invitation from game officials to participate in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl during a presentation in the Cavaliers’ gymnasium on Thursday.

“I’m nervous. I’m excited. It’s a good nervous, though, to get on the field and show what I can do,” said Bonds, who has been sidelined since Sept. 12 with a torn ACL in his left knee. Bonds, who was the only South Carolina player chosen for the national all-star game, hopes to recover in time to play in the Jan. 3 contest in San Antonio’s Alamodome.

“As far as I’m concerned, this is more initiative to get back where I was, to be able to get out there and play,” he said.

At 6-foot-4 and 262 pounds, Bonds caught recruiters’ attention as a freshman. He has since struggled to stay healthy, missing several games as a sophomore because of a broken ankle, then sitting out part of his junior season with a torn ACL in his right knee.

He recovered from that injury more quickly than expected and aimed to have a breakout senior season. Then came the second ACL injury.

“He’s had his share of unfortunate injuries, but he is a guy that works very hard ... and he’s still got that burning desire to play,” Richland Northeast coach Jay Frye said. “It’s a tremendous honor for him and for the team.”

Bonds does not know whether he will be able to play for the Cavaliers again but said he hoped doctors would soon give him clearance to get back in the weight room. He is eager to represent South Carolina in the this game, something he has thought about since he was a sophomore.

Bonds remembers watching his teammate Gary Gray receive his All-American Bowl invitation and jersey in 2006, wondering if he might one day earn the same accolade. Thinking about other players who have participated in the game, such as Reggie Bush and Vince Young, made Bonds even more excited.

“Those are big names, guys that you see on television playing in the NFL, and hopefully one day I can be in their shoes,” he said.

Reach Nelson at (803) 771-8419.

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