Lazerus: Naspinski embraces new role

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Wheeler's Nick Naspinski celebrates after running in from the 38 yard line on a 3rd down with 5:35 left in the second period..| Jim Karczewski ~ For Sun-Times Media

Updated: January 23, 2012 4:05AM

It’s one of those calls you never enjoy making. Yet in this business, you make them all the time.

The star player on an elite team gets injured. He’s out for the season. His team’s championship hopes are dealt a severe blow. His college aspirations are up in the air.

So you call him up, and you ask him stupid questions you already know the answer to:

How frustrating is it…?

How hard is it to stand on the sidelines and watch…?

How unfair does it feel…?

And you always get the same, obvious answers.

It’s frustrating.

It’s hard.

It’s unfair.

Unless you call Wheeler’s Nick Naspinski.

“It’s not too bad,” the senior quarterback said, the shrug practically audible through his cell phone.

Not the answer you were expecting, eh?

Don’t get him wrong — the spiral fracture in his ankle he suffered last Friday against River Forest is awful. “It sucks,” is how he put it. He wants to be out there practicing, not sitting in a cart on the sidelines with his foot in an air cast. He wants to keep doing what he’s been doing, which is putting up stats that are gaudy even by Wheeler’s PlayStation standards — 13 rushing touchdowns, 13 passing touchdowns in the Bearcats’ first five games (all wins, of course).

But bones heal. Naspinski knows that. After all, he lost most of his junior year to a shoulder injury, and came back this year better than ever.

“It’s really not been too bad,” Naspinski said of the past week. “I’ve dealt with some worse stuff in my life.”

Indeed, a broken ankle pales in comparison to the real pain Naspinski endured — and still endures to this day — last December, when his father Matt, a terrific football player himself at Merrillville in the 1980s, suffered a fatal heart attack.

So you won’t see Naspinski sulking about his bad break. Won’t hear him lamenting his lost opportunity.

What you will see is Naspinski on the sideline. What you will hear is Naspinski rooting on his teammates — not just every Friday, but every practice day, too.

“I’d rather be out here watching practice than sitting at home just being there. I still want to be a part of this team,” he said. “I’m just going to try to be the best cheerleader I can be.”

There’s more to it than that, of course. Naspinski’s goal is to make sure his replacement — the dynamic Robert Hurd — is ready to lead the Bearcats into an inevitable sectional showdown (possibly between unbeatens) with Andrean. Hurd has had wild success this season as a receiver (400 yards, five touchdowns) and a rusher (565 yards, six touchdowns). And after taking over for the injured Naspinski in the first quarter on Friday, he led the Bearcats back from an early 8-0 deficit to a 29-8 win, rushing for 259 yards and three scores.

But playing quarterback in Wheeler’s offense is a pretty detailed gig, and Hurd will have to do more than just tuck it and run if the Bearcats are to contend for that sectional championship.

That’s where Naspinski comes in.

“I’ll be out there every day, trying to mentor Hurd and help him be a better quarterback, not just an athlete,” Naspinski said. “He’s probably the best athlete on the team.”

And for what it’s worth, Naspinski doesn’t think he has too difficult a project on his hands.

“Oh, he can throw,” he said. “Plus, TK (offensive coordinator Tony Klimczak) will be working with him. I have 100 percent confidence in him. He’s going to do great.”

Naspinski got some good news earlier this week when he learned his ankle wouldn’t require surgery. The break was clean, and didn’t even need to be re-set. He’ll be re-evaluated in a couple weeks. The relative lack of severity of the injury is a big positive for a guy who wants to play college ball somewhere. He’s not worrying about landing a scholarship — academics come first, and he hopes to walk on wherever he is, whatever the level. Knowing his leg will fully heal — and probably sooner than initially expected — gives him a boost for next fall.

Of course, that doesn’t help the Bearcats. There’s still virtually no chance Naspinski plays again this year. But he doesn’t have to strap on a helmet to be a big part of Wheeler’s immediate future. With his knowledge, his leadership and his maturity, he’ll still be playing a huge role — just on the sidelines, is all.

“Injuries happen, I can’t change it now,” he said. “It sucks, but you’ve got to move forward. It’s the only thing you can do.”