Laquon Treadwell suffered a gruesome injury against the Auburn Tigers that ended his, and the Rebels, 2014 season.
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Ole Miss fans all know the injury that Treadwell suffered against Auburn. It was the pinnacle to an amazing season. Treadwell had led the Rebels to victories over Alabama, Memphis, and Boise State. The Rebels were coming off a loss to LSU that ended their undefeated season.
The Rebels and Auburn were in a tight fight. Defense was left at home for this matchup. Both teams offense’s were pumping at full speed.
The Rebels were looking to take a lead over the Tigers late in the game. Quarterback Bo Wallace passed the ball to Laquon Treadwell on a screen pass, a play the Rebels had run a million times. Treadwell made a move and was on his way to the endzone.
The Auburn defender pulled Treadwell down from behind and he rolled his leg under his body as he rolled into the endzone. The play resulted in a broken leg for Laquon Treadwell, and a lead for the Tigers. The refs called the ball down at the one and a fumble recovered by the Tigers.
Chris Tomasson spoke with Treadwell on behalf of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
"“I was definitely tentative,’’ Treadwell said. “I wasn’t 100 percent at all last season. I would just say (he was 100 percent) to get everyone off of me. I was like, ‘I can’t focus on what I need to focus on because everybody was asking me every day what I felt, what percentage I was.’ I just said, ‘I feel good, I’m 100 percent.’ But then after I went home at night, I was like, ‘I don’t feel right.’"
Despite not being 100%, Treadwell caught 82 balls for 1153 yards and 11 touchdowns.
"“I wasn’t 100 percent in anything I did from the beginning of spring ball (in 2015) to pro day (at Mississippi on March 28). I was playing on one leg my whole junior season. Last year wasn’t fun going out and being hurt and trying to play.”"
Treadwell also said he didn’t take any of the pain medication that was prescribed for his injury. He said his reasoning behind this was the motivation that the pain would provide.
"“It felt like I had a fire in my foot,’’ Treadwell said. “I would cry myself to sleep, get up and cry myself back to sleep. But I said, ‘I’m not taking the pills any more because when I get back healthy I’m going to remember this pain that I felt.’ I felt I would then never take the game for granted.’’"
Treadwell was drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He is looking forward to catching touchdowns from Teddy Bridgewater in the new Viking stadium.