DeSouza, a redshirt freshman at the time, suffered fractured bones in both lower legs in a scooter accident. He had surgery and since then has been working hard at making a full recovery.
The crutches and plastic boots covering his feet are gone and he probably will not play at all during the 2011 season. That won’t stop him from his ultimate goal: Getting back in the starting lineup for the 2012 season.
In 2010, the 6-foot-6, 310-pound DeSouza played five games at right tackle and started three. The future looked bright; his hard work was paying off. Then the accident.
During his recovery, DeSouza lost 22 pounds. He had twelve hours of surgery to repair multiple fractures in both legs. He was in the hospital for three weeks. Titanium rods are in both legs and they will stay there the rest of his life His rehabilitation consisted of leg extensions, toe touches, knee and hamstring stretches – three hours a day, every day. Doctors told him the injuries would not limit his future playing ability. They told him his legs could be stronger long-term. So DeSouza kept working harder and harder. I saw him at the Military Bowl at RFK Stadium last December and I see him working hard during the pregame warm ups with his teammates when I am on the sidelines at Byrd Stadium. He’s come a long, long way as the photos below indicate.
Pete DeSouza’s recovery has been amazing. The effort he’s put into his recovery to get back on the field has been incredible. Determined and courageous are two words that can describe Pete DeSouza.
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