When Nate Costa was tackled near the Washington sideline last Saturday, I thought little of the play. It wasn’t a crushing hit, and I was more concerned with the fact that Oregon had just failed on a 19-yard field goal attempt.
But then I saw a group of players surrounding Costa, and the athletic trainers running across the field. Uh oh.
Costa remained on the ground for a few more minutes before being assisted, very gingerly, off the field. The fact that he had to cross from sideline to sideline, at that excruciatingly slow pace, just made the moment all the more painful.
It was another knee injury, the fourth in Costa’s five years at Oregon. His career at Oregon has officially come to an end, and the Ducks will have to move forward without him.
It is, of course, a considerable blow for the number one team in the nation. Costa may have been listed as the number two quarterback on the depth chart, but he was really more like option 1B. If anything ever happened to Darron Thomas, everyone could rest easy knowing that Costa was there to fill his shoes. He only reinforced that assumption with his play at Washington State a few weeks ago.
But that’s not the real sore point of this story. It’s easy to get caught up in the panic about who will fill in at backup quarterback, but we should all be concerned first and foremost about Costa’s well being. The kid has been through a lot in his five years here in Eugene, and it is just plain unfair that this injury should happen in such a uniquely spectacular Oregon season.
He was finally healthy for a full season last year, backing up Jeremiah Masoli. Filling in against UCLA, he was able to spread his wings, completing nine of seventeen passes in a 24-10 win. When Masoli was booted from the team last spring, it looked like a perfect opportunity for Costa to swoop in and grab the starting job.
Of course, Thomas had other ideas, and eventually beat out Costa despite being a full two years younger. A lesser person might have exploded in anger and frustration, or perhaps transferred to a different school entirely.
Not Nate Costa. He took the decision in stride, telling the Emerald’s Andy Drukarev that “it was tough, but the next day at practice I’m already over it.” That’s just the type of player and person that Costa is.
Which, of course, is why it was so heartbreaking to watch him leave the field on Saturday. Nobody deserves to have that happen, but Costa is a special case. He has been though this three times already. Did it really have to happen again, especially on such a silly play as a botched field goal?
Deep down, Costa is probably asking himself that very same question. Of course, if we know anything about him, he will probably take the prognosis in stride. He’s certainly used to setbacks at this point.
In the greater scheme of things, an injury like this is certainly not the end of the world. Far worse things could happen to a 22-year-old, and Costa has a perfectly bright future after football.
Still, there are times in life when you look to the sky and say, “Come on, man. Really?” No one could blame Costa for feeling that way right about now.
If there is one thing that sums up Nate Costa’s career, it is the way his teammates reacted to the news on Tuesday. Jeff Maehl’s tone was soft as he discussed it with reporters, his eyes vacant with sadness. Brandon Bair said he would do anything to switch places with his teammate.
Though Costa’s playing career has been defined by injuries, he should not be remembered for them. Rather, fans should appreciate his ever-professional demeanor and work ethic.
His teammates certainly do.
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