Sports

Left:
The Wolverines' Hayden
Epstein, No. 25, kicks off
last fall against Eastern
Michigan University

MIKE ROSENBAUM
Special to the Jewish News

T

he news sent shock
waves through
University of
Michigan football
fans: Hayden Epstein had
torn a ligament in his right
knee and would likely miss
the 1999 season.
Epstein, the heralded
sophomore from California,
was supposed to have solved
the kicking problems that
may have cost Michigan two
losses last year.
But those who delivered the
initial reports on Epstein's
injury didn't know two
things: "The whole time (the
doctors) were just telling me
anything's possible," Epstein
said, the observers didn't
know the determination of
Hayden Epstein.
When the Wolverines
opened practice on Aug. 13,
Epstein reported cautiously
that he hoped to return some
time in October. Last week,
Epstein said he might play in
Michigan's Sept. 4 opener against
Notre Dame.
According to Epstein's mother, Judy,
Hayden targeted this Saturday's con-
test even before undergoing surgery.
Judy Epstein said the hardest part of
the ordeal for Hayden "was the idea
of calling Coach (Lloyd) Carr and
saying, 'I have bad news.' It wasn't
about the rehab and it wasn't about
the surgery: it was about disappoint-
ing the team and the coaches.
"After he made the call, he felt bet-
ter. And from that point it was just,
`Sept. 4 is Notre Dame -- that's my

elate.'"

Epstein was the Wolverines' kickoff
specialist as a freshman last year,
beginning with their third game. .
Forty-one of his 53 kickoffs reached
the end zone. He also won the punt-

9/3

1999

116 Detroit Jewish News

Below:
Hayden Epstein worked
hard to overcme a knee
injury.

Hayden Epstein had to make

a major effort off the field

in order to kick for U-M this fall.

ing job in the final two games, aver-
aging 40.1 yards. He was likely to fill
a rare triple role as Michigan's field
goal kicker, punter and kickoff man
this season.
But those expectatiOns changed on
June 1. Epstein was home in subur-
ban San Diego doing agility drills
when his cleats caught in a divot and
he twisted his knee. Hayden felt a
pop, but didn't feel any pain. The
next morning, Epstein's knee was only
slightly swollen but his father, Paul,
suggested that he see a doctor.
When the doctor informed Epstein
that he'd torn his anterior cruciate lig-
ament (ACL), "he didn't believe it,"
Judy Epstein recalled.
Epstein said he was disappointed
when told of the injury, "because I
was looking forward to giving (the
triple kicking job) a shot." But he was

never
depressed by
his circum-
stances.
Three days
after his June
8 surgery,
Epstein began
a rehabilita-
tion program
of lifting
weights and
workina with
physical b herapists. He entered rehab
"with an amazingly positive attitude,"
Judy Epstein recalled. "He asked the
doctors what the quickest way for
him to come back was, without re-
injuring himself. He basically set his
own time frame ... He rehabbed and
did all the stuff he was supposed to
do.

In fact, he did all that and
more.
"He did acupuncture,"
she added. "He did some
tai chi. He went the extra
mile and did a bunch of
different things in order to
get back quickly:
It was a major surgery
and the rehab basically
took all his energy," she
said. It was a lot of hours
every day. It took a lot of
determination, and not
getting discouraged."
Epstein began place-
kicking and punting in
July. He still doesn't kick
off because that puts a
greater strain on his knee.
At times, his rehabilitation
walked a fine line because
you want to try to go fast
so you can get back for
this year, but you don't
want to hurt anything for
the future," Epstein said.
Currently, he reports
feeling no knee pain. His
daily routine includes
weight lifting, kicking, running and
bicycling. He reportedly kicked a 45-
yard field goal in practice.
"It feels real good," he said. The
date of his return is more of a safety
issue with my knee, making sure
everything's going to be OK."
At press time, Epstein was listed as
a possible starter for Saturday's game.

"