The University Of Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim scored on a 6-yard touchdown run to give the Golden Gophers a 27-0 lead over Rutgers. Naturally, the extra point kick attempt is next. A new holder entered the game for Minnesota. Number 14 lined up in the proper position as he got down on one knee. The long snapper hiked the football and number 14 caught it. He placed it on the field with the laces out, and the kicker hit it perfectly. The extra point was good. The Minnesota players cherished the moment as they celebrated with number 14.
It was a routine play, but some may pose the question of why such an emotional response for number 14? The answer to that question is a remarkable one. This particular moment marked the first time number 14 participated in a collegiate football game. Another thing about number 14, is the fact he’s a four-time cancer survivor.
In 2013 Casey O’Brien was experiencing a pain in his left knee that wouldn’t go away. His childhood revolved around playing sports, but his ability to participate in sports was placed in serious jeopardy. In December of 2013, he was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma which is a rare form of bone cancer. O’Brien got a full knee replacement at the age of 13. Doctors removed a tumor from his knee. In addition to the knee replacement, he did nine months of chemotherapy. Through it all O’Brien continued to practice and play football.
Cancer migrated to Casey’s lungs in January of 2015, but he continued to fight the brave fight. As a junior in high school, he switched positions. Originally a quarterback, O’Brien became a placekick holder, due to the fact there is little to no physical contact absorbed at that particular position. Football became his motivation for beating cancer. Later during his junior year at Cretin-Derham Hall, O’Brien battled cancer for the third time.
Casey O’Brien’s left knee doesn’t have any cartilage or ligaments. His leg is basically held together by cadaver bones and metal rods.
When it came time for O’Brien to choose a college, he chose the hometown Minnesota Golden Gophers. The University of Minnesota was the only FBS school to medically clear him to participate in football. When he arrived on campus he told Coach P.J. Fleck he was there to compete. “I’m not coming here to stand on the sidelines. I came here to play.”
O’Brien was a redshirt in 2017 meaning he could practice but wasn’t eligible to play in any games. Unfortunately for O’Brien, his cancer returned for a fourth time in January 2018. He underwent another lung surgery but attended every practice during spring training. During the 2018 season, O’Brien didn’t see any game action.
Coming into the 2019 season he felt optimistic about seeing the field. “I thought about it every night. The moment played in my head a thousand times.” His dream came true October 19th vs Rutgers. After the completion of the play, Head Coach P.J. Fleck is pictured pacing the sidelines trying to hold back the tears. When Casey O’Brien ran to the sidelines, he and Fleck shared an emotional hug. He spoke after the game in reference to the admiration he has for O’Brien. “When you think courage you think Casey O’Brien. No one can ever take away that he played college football in the Big Ten.
Casey O’Brien is 20 years old. He has undergone seventeen surgeries and five-hundred stitches from the surgeries. He’s shown a tremendous amount of heart and determination. Casey O’Brien is a college student, finance major, football player, and a special young man who continues to defy the odds.
