This archive report was first published on 21 September 2019.
Gardner Minshew, the Jacksonville Jaguars' rookie quarterback, has quickly become a fan favorite with his unique personality and playing style. His dedication to the game has led him to take some unconventional steps, as revealed in a recent interview with Barstool Sports.
According to Minshew, during his time at East Carolina University in 2016, he found himself filling in for an injured senior quarterback. However, when the athlete returned to the game, Minshew was benched. Feeling frustrated, he began exploring ways to secure more playing time.
"I was pretty pissed so I started looking around at what I could do and what my options were," Minshew said in the interview. "The only thing I could do would be to get a medical redshirt." In NCAA rules, a redshirt is an exception that applies to players who have only had a limited amount of game time, allowing them to compete for an additional season.
Minshew's plan was to break his throwing hand and qualify for a redshirt extension. He attempted to do so by hitting his hand with a hammer, but his plan didn't work out as he had hoped. Despite repeated attempts, he was unable to break his hand, and was forced to attend practice with it covered in bruises, telling his coaches that he trapped it in a car door.
Fortunately, no real damage was done, and Minshew went on to have a successful season. This week, he filled in for another injured quarterback and made two touchdowns, helping the Jaguars beat the Tennessee Titans 20-7.
