It is easy to neglect in regards to the harm 13 months that had his profession seemingly in jeopardy.
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UBC Thunderbirds quarterback Garrett Rooker’s favorite alums from the varsity now embrace Dr. David Stockton.
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They met final 12 months albeit below unlucky circumstances. Stockton is the Vancouver Basic Hospital orthopedic trauma surgeon who operated on Rooker the morning after he suffered a hip dislocation and acetabular fracture 13 months in the past throughout a sport towards the Saskatchewan Huskies at Thunderbird Stadium.
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There was concern then about whether or not Rooker may play once more after getting damage in that Oct. 22, 2022 matchup. There was actually query about whether or not the pivot from League Metropolis, Texas, can be able to swimsuit up when UBC opened its season in September. Positive sufficient, Rooker has roared again, reclaiming the beginning pivot job at UBC coaching camp and main the cost for a T-Fowl crew that can face the Montreal Carabins Saturday at Queen’s College in Kingston, Ont., within the Vanier Cup nationwide championship sport.
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UBC’s taking goal at its fifth Canadian collegiate soccer crown, and it’s first since beating the Carabins 26-23 in Quebec Metropolis in 2015.
“I obtained fortunate by way of getting damage at UBC with VGH so shut and Dr. Stockton being on name that day,” Rooker mentioned earlier this week. “I’ve a lot due to him and the workers at VGH for what they did for me.
“He’s clearly an important surgeon. I’m the place I’m proper now due to him and what he did. However he was at all times sincere. He mentioned that they didn’t know what may occur, that it was a uncommon harm. They didn’t know the way my physique was going to deal with the surgical procedure and the rehab. He mentioned that we have been going to take it step-by-step, however there was no particular timeline or clear view of the way it was going to search for my future within the sport.”
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Stockton did his grasp’s diploma at UBC and his residency at UBC Hospital. He’s presently listed as a medical assistant professor in orthopedics at UBC as nicely. He grew up in Vancouver and his preliminary college research got here at UVic, the place he performed rugby. He says that he’s at all times been drawn to sport from a training and character-building standpoint; he even quoted legendary basketball coach John Wood in a question-and-answer interview relating to his grasp’s on a UBC net web page.
Stockton attended his first-ever UBC soccer sport this season, checking in on the Thunderbirds walloping the Alberta Golden Bears 54-37 within the annual Homecoming Recreation at Thunderbird Stadium Sept. 22. Rooker was excellent that day, connecting on 27-of-34 passes for 363 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions and likewise scoring a landing alongside floor as a part of two carries for 9 yards.
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“It has been outstanding what he’s been in a position to obtain. Most sufferers that maintain that severity of harm aren’t in a position to return to their pre-injury degree of operate, by no means thoughts quarterback the varsity soccer crew to contend for the nationwide championship,” Stockton mentioned in an electronic mail interview. “He’s an unimaginable particular person.”
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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered an identical harm in his remaining collegiate season with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2019. He was beginning for the Dolphins halfway by means of the next season, and that buoyed Rooker, who additionally knew that he wished to be able to go by coaching camp. He didn’t wish to attempt to soar into enjoying time halfway by means of the 12 months.
He says he’s higher than he’s ever been on the sector. His stats appear to concur.
Going into the Vanier Cup, Rooker has thrown for 3,192 yards for UBC (9-2), finishing 73 per cent (216-of-297) of his passes and connecting for 23 touchdowns with six interceptions. He’s additionally ran 24 instances for 139 yards with two touchdowns.
In 2022, Rooker threw for 1,519 yards for UBC (7-5), finishing 62 per cent (106-of-171) with six touchdowns and one interception. He ran 25 instances for 130 yards with two touchdowns.
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“Clearly with this harm, you perceive that you just’re going to have to remain within the pocket a bit bit extra and maintain your self,” Rooker mentioned. “I feel that’s performed an enormous half in my sport. The most important leap for me is having the ability to belief my ft and my eyes and having the ability to belief the method I am going by means of making my reads. I can’t get too frazzled or frantic and attempt to run to flee. I have to get the ball within the fingers of my athletes and belief this offensive scheme.”
Rooker is taken with making an attempt to land a roster spot within the CFL down the road, and would depend as Canadian if he sticks for 4 years at UBC and completes his diploma, in response to B.C. Lions co-general supervisor Neil McEvoy. Rooker went to Lions coaching camp in 2022 as half CFL of the Quarterback Internship program and roomed there with Michael O’Connor, who was the beginning quarterback on UBC’s championship crew in 2015.
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Rooker is on tempo to finish his kinesiology diploma subsequent 12 months. Teachers have been a significant a part of the equation for him coming to UBC. His dad is Dr. Jay R. Rooker, a marine biology professor at Texas A&M College-Galveston who has steered a number of of his college students to UBC to proceed their education through the years.
When Rooker dedicated to UBC in 2020, he talked then about medical college being an finish aim for him. He’s says it’s one thing he desires pursue after college if skilled soccer isn’t an choice, and he would then proceed his education someplace within the U.S.
He’d nonetheless prefer to be an orthopedic surgeon. That aim has not modified.
“Clearly I’ve had a bit little bit of expertise,” he mentioned.
@SteveEwen
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