Senior safety John Boyett told the Napa Valley Register Sunday that he will undergo surgery this week to repair partial tears in both of his patella tendons. The surgery will end his 2012 season.
Boyett read from a prepared statement: “I’ve had a lingering injury that I played through all last year. The hope was, through different treatments and certain types of rehab during this past offseason, they would heal up and I’d be ready to go for my senior year. But unfortunately, it didn’t work out as planned. I’ve been dealing with a tremendous amount of pain for a long time. At this time, I’m not able to play up to this level that I want to. Five different specialists from around the country have reviewed my MRIs and at this time surgery is needed. The operation is scheduled for Wednesday and the rehab process to get back to 100 percent is approximately six months. It’s a very difficult decision. I have tremendous teammates and made many friends at the university. I’ve grown tremendously as a player and as a person, working under my great defensive back coach, Coach John Neal and the defensive coordinator, Nick Aliotti, who recruited me to the University of Oregon.”
The surgery could potentially end Boyett’s career at Oregon, though he would be a candidate to qualify for a medical redshirt season. It is still unclear whether he will appeal to the NCAA to pursue that path.
Boyett, the Ducks’ starting safety, did not play in Oregon’s 42-25 win over Fresno State on Saturday. He recorded an interception in Oregon’s 57-34 victory over Arkansas State on Sept. 1.
Fans took to Twitter to express appreciation for Boyett’s Oregon career, if the game against Arkansas State does indeed mark the last time Boyett plays for the Ducks.
Someone needs to fill out that 6th year paper for Boyett! Who wouldn’t want him around another year
— 2 Socks (@duckster5) September 10, 2012
Never ever want to hear about an athlete having a season ending injury. Especially a guy like Boyett.
— Lucas Holladay (@holladaytime) September 10, 2012
John Boyett to miss the rest of the season. Huge loss for Oregon’s D. THANK YOU, #20. #GoDucks #WTD #GetWell
— Brad Weclowski (@bweclowski) September 10, 2012
sad day for duck fans. thanks for three great years John Boyett
— Conor Sullivan (@conorsullivan23) September 10, 2012
Sad to hear about boyett, best defensive player Ive seen at Oregon, hope the fans give him as much love on Senior Day as Nate Costa #Boyett
— Matt Goetz (@mattgoetz) September 10, 2012
