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Packers' Grant Running Through Adversity

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 17, 2008

Updated: 01/17/2008 12:16 am

TAMPA - It is hard for Green Bay running back Ryan Grant to stay down even though his NFL career has been filled with so few highs.

There was no reason for Grant, a former Notre Dame standout, to celebrate after entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He spent that season on the Giants' practice squad.

Grant tried to party prior to the 2006 season, but slipped on a wet floor during a get-together and his arm went through a glass table, severing his artery, nerve and tendon. He nearly bled to death before doctors saved his life, but missed last season as he recovered.

The final setback for Grant occurred when New York traded him to Green Bay on Sept. 1, 2007, for an undisclosed draft pick.

"I try not to let myself focus and look at things I really don't have control over," Grant said. "The only thing I wanted to make sure of is I was physically and mentally prepared for whatever comes my way, whatever that is."

Grant has the opportunity Sunday to lead Green Bay to its first Super Bowl appearance since 1998.

After starting the season behind rookie running backs DeShawn Wynn and Brandon Jackson, Grant started in Week 8 and rushed for 100 yards or more five times during the regular season. Grant's postseason performance is why Green Bay (14-3) will host the New York Giants (12-6) during this weekend's NFC Championship Game.

"We had a run game that wasn't being very productive, and Ryan earned the opportunity to be that guy," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "I felt the running back by committee that we were using wasn't working. ... I used running back by committee in the past, but there were veterans involved.

"So at that point we need to go with one guy. And we actually decided to go with DeShawn Wynn for the Denver game Week 7. He was injured early in that game, and Ryan Grant was the No. 2 player. And then we haven't looked back."

Grant appeared to take another step backward during last week's NFC playoff game against Seattle.

During Grant's first three carries, he fumbled the ball twice, resulting in two Seattle touchdowns. The Seahawks led 14-0 four minutes into the game before Grant finally settled down.

"I've always known the type of person I am and how the confidence in myself is always going to be there," Grant said. "I've never gotten down. There's always going to be things in your life, not just football, that aren't going to work out. You correct them and then you move forward."

Grant eventually advanced into Green Bay's history books last week.

He rushed 27 times for 201 yards and three touchdowns during Green Bay's 42-20 victory against Seattle, which was the best postseason rushing performance in Packers history. Grant became the seventh player in NFL postseason history to top the 200-yard mark.

Because of Grant's feat, he is currently in the media spotlight, a position he has not been in since becoming the 13th Notre Dame back in school history to rush for more than 2,000 career yards.

"I knew Ryan could have a big game," Packers quarterback Brett Favre said. "Anytime he touches the ball, he can have a big game."

Grant is optimistic he can ride his performance high this weekend against New York, the team which once gave up on him.

That is because he has already ridden through the lows.

"I really just want to take advantage," Grant said. "I don't want to take anything for granted, with this situation that I'm in and the tradition that we're in as a team. Every day I count my blessings and just really go out there and work as hard as possible and get better each day. I try not to look at the past, I try to more forward, but every once in a while, I go, 'Oh, it's been a long year for me.'"

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425 or arichardson@tampatrib.com.

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