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Duke

Blue Devils celebrating recovery before opener

Aug 29, 2012

Durham, N.C. — Recovery is a word that can accurately describe the Duke football program -- but not in the same vein as what recovery means to wide receiver Blair Holliday.

David Cutcliffe said the opening week of the regular season just has a different feel. For him, it’s like New Year’s Eve.

“I went to an event and as I was leaving, without any thought to it, I said, ‘Happy New Year!’” Cutcliffe said. “They looked at me like I had three heads. But this is kind of like the New Year. The season has started, the school year has started.”

But Duke football has something more important to celebrate.

Less than two months after a Fourth of July jet-ski accident on Lake Tillery left him in critical condition, Holliday is up and about - walking on his own now. His recovery continues to inspire his teammates. More Info     More Duke Stories

“We heard that he’s walking and talking, so that’s a great thing,” said running back Josh Snead. “If he’s able to come back, we would love that, but as a team and as brothers, we want him to be as healthy as possible and be able to function on his own.”

“Blair is in our hearts every day and every time we step on the field,” said defensive end Justin Foxx. “He was our brother, and we loved him as a brother – and we still do. Every time we go out there, he’s in our hearts.”

 

Cutcliffe said Holliday is getting ready to move to an out-patient status and that can be attributed to his hard work. Cutcliffe plans to visit Holliday in Atlanta this week ahead of the Blue Devils’ opener against FIU and he can hardly contain his excitement.

“I’m kind of like a kid at Christmas about it, I’m excited,” Cutcliffe said. “I’m anxious to get my hands on him and talk to him first-hand.”

Duke has a game this week, against a tough opponent, but the No. 8 on their helmets serves as a constant reminder that they already have a major victory to celebrate -- Blair Holliday’s continued recovery.

 

• Reporter: Ken Medlin
• Web Editor: Aaron Schoonmaker