And so it begins – Nate Irving Injured in Car Accident

'09 Football78

Within hours of the Charlotte/News & Observer going to press with their selection that NC State would win the 2009 ACC Atlantic Division Football Championship, the Wolfpack’s all-conference junior linebacker Nate Irving was injured in a car accident.

Irving was injured on Saturday night and is currently in the Wake Med Trauma Center with non-life threatening injuries; he suffered a broken leg and a collapsed lung and is scheduled to undergo surgery on the leg on Sunday evening.

“Our thoughts and prayers are certainly with Nate and his family,” said head coach Tom O’Brien. “All of his teammates and coaches will be there to support him as he recovers and goes through the process of rehabilitation.”

Irving was an honorable mention All-ACC performer in 2008, despite missing almost a third of the season with injuries. He tied for third on the team with 84 stops.

This morning’s newspapers also selected Irving as one of the ‘3 defensive difference-makers to watch’.

Based on what we have heard, we think it would be impractical to presume that Nate will play football in the 2009 season. Be clear – we are NOT ‘REPORTING’ that Irving will miss the season. We are simply interjecting that, at this point, we would be surprised if Irving played this season.

If Nate were to miss the season then the Wolfpack’s young stable of talented, but inexperienced, linebackers would be asked to produce sooner than previously expected. Don’t forget names like Sterling Lucas, William Beasley, Dwayne Maddox and Terrell Manning. Does anyone out there have an update on John Ware?

Everyone at SFN is praying for what matters most for Nate and his family – his health and recovery.

About StateFans

'StateFansNation' is the shared profile used by any/all of the dozen or so authors that contribute to the blog. You may not always agree with us, but you will have little doubt about where we stand on most issues. Please follow us on Twitter and FaceBook

'09 Football

78 Responses to And so it begins – Nate Irving Injured in Car Accident

  1. PoppaJohn 06/29/2009 at 7:17 AM #

    THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!!! THAT’S WOLFPACK SPORTS IN A NUTSHELL!
    We start getting our hopes up about one stinking sport and naturally, an injury happens to a key guy. Unbelievable!! (I shouldn’t even say ‘unbelievable’, I’ve seen it happen many, many, too many times)

    Best wishes to Nate for a speedy & full recovery. Not expecting to see you at your best this year. I’m hoping you’ll still have your senior year to show the NFL what you can do.

  2. BJD95 06/29/2009 at 8:10 AM #

    Now that we have Glennon in place as QB2, Nate Irving was the least replaceable player on our team. This is a huge blow, and I hope it doesn’t keep us from at least going .500 in league play, and landing a decent bowl bid.

    I had been saying that 2010-12 was our real window to contend, and this news definitely sets that prediction in cement.

  3. Noah 06/29/2009 at 8:45 AM #

    Irving is going to be in a cast for awhile. That means he’s going to lose muscle mass and won’t be able to run. So, expecting him to miss only a single game seems hopelessly naive.

    I would expect that by the very end of this year, he should be able to contribute. He’ll gear up for next year.

  4. wolfbuff 06/29/2009 at 8:58 AM #

    First, I’m glad Nate wasn’t hurt any worse than he was. For that, Nate, his family and team, and Wolfpack Nation should be thankful. Second, we have to stop acting like victims. This has nothing to do with us and everything to do with a young man who is lucky to be alive this morning. For us to become a good program, we need players and fans to have an attitude that we can overcome these things. If we’re still relying that much on one player, then the program still has a long way to go. The lone exception could be QB. TOB and staff recognize the need for quality depth. That’s what sets the USCs, Texas, Oklahomas, tOSUs, etc of the world apart from the rest of us. Someone can and will step up. This is an opportunity for someone and I believe they’ll take it. Frankly, if this had to happen, it’s better to have happened now than during the season. The other LBs will get more reps in fall practice and will be prepared for the season.

  5. PackMan97 06/29/2009 at 9:33 AM #

    Get well soon Nate!

  6. StateFans 06/29/2009 at 9:34 AM #

    I guess nobody here is picking up on what we keep trying to say softly – Nate ain’t playing this year. The staff is moving forward without expecting Nate to play this year. If something changes, we will let you know. But, as of now, some of you are the only people projecting Nate’s services at any point this season.

  7. Thinkpack17 06/29/2009 at 10:02 AM #

    Sigh…at least this puts my expectations in check for this season, I know for a fact I was letting them get out of hand.

    A game above .500 in ACC play including wins against UNC and Duke…I am happy. Throw in a win against USC and I’m smiling ear to ear.

    Get well Nate!

  8. highstick 06/29/2009 at 10:24 AM #

    Thanks for the info guys on satellite TV. 61packer, you were doing good until you mentioned Bill Walton.

  9. highstick 06/29/2009 at 10:26 AM #

    If Nate were to come back late this year, I’m not sure that would be good anyway. I’d much prefer a medical redshirt if that’s going to be the case.

    Main thing is for him to regain his health.

    Anyone remember Jon Speaks? I was still in high school then, but we’ve been snakebitten for a long time.

  10. packalum44 06/29/2009 at 10:33 AM #

    Forgive me, my last post was wrong. Nate is not 23 but will turn 21 on July 12th. I fully expect that he will try to play in the second half of the season and help us win the Atlantic. I also fully expect TOB to assume he won’t play. Expect the worst, hope for the best. Regardless, he is the most NFL ready and talented guy on our team who has the potential to be a top 10 pick.

    He wants to play in the NFL next year and will I seriously doubt he’ll stay around another year whether he plays or not. While it is true he will lose lots of muscle mass, Nate at half speed is still a starter on our team. His physical gifts will allow him to recover much faster than us normal folk.

    I only can speculate but come October/November Nate will be smashing into QBs, RBs, and punishing wide receivers foolish enough to come over the middle.

  11. Greywolf 06/29/2009 at 10:41 AM #

    Zen Wolf Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 1:28 am
    “If you say we have shitty karma than that is what you are manifesting.”

    ZW, Contributers to this site as a rule attended NCSU, have fundamental sound sports knowledge and are not hesitant to express opinions but if you are looking to change the general negativeness that permeates this site, don’t waste your time. Most of us here pay lip service to Jimmy V’s “Don’t ever, ever, ever give up” while we give up before the first puck is dropped or ball is tossed up. Giving up at the first opportunity is the Wolfpack birth rite. “Gloom, dispair and agony on me” is our theme song.

    Woe is me, Nate Irving may miss a few games or even the season, so there is no possible way we can win half our games. Other teams such as BC can endure that kind of loss but we are NCSU and now must play with only 10 men on defense.

  12. McPete 06/29/2009 at 10:59 AM #

    highstick,
    i am also considering direcTV. a friend of mine who has had it for a few years told me that every summer, sometime in july, they will throw in the nfl ticket free with a new activation. you may want to wait around for that. i am.

  13. Alpha Wolf 06/29/2009 at 12:02 PM #

    ^ Once you get DirecTV, you won’t switch. Best picture and sound and the most programming. Plus you get a 2-3 minute warning of an impending thunderstorm – the signal will go out for just a minute.

    After Hurricane Fran, we were back up as soon as the generator cranked and got a full view of what had happened. The TWC folks were another ten days until they got their cable back.

    As for Nate, man what a shame. Read about it on I-40 as were finally found some 3G and the Tweets started pouring in…

    Bottom line is that the Pack is going to have to weather this and excel anyway.

  14. howlie 06/29/2009 at 12:18 PM #

    Vegas ought to start taking bets on which Wolfpack star will be lost for the season each year…

  15. Zen Wolf 06/29/2009 at 12:23 PM #

    Grey Wolf,

    Thank you for the honesty. I too am an NCSU Grad from 94 and went to football games growing up as a young pup. I remember collecting cups and sliding down the grass hill on cardboard scraps. I am trying to change the culture because I have seen it work on me and others. I was a “victim” for most of my life but by simply taking note of some of the verbal language I was using I was able to change a few things. I am not talking AA although I hear it works. I am just asking us to not say only bad things happen to us and I told you so when it does. I want to win as bad if not worse than anyone on this site. I am a competitor and hate to loose so I am willing to try to change the culture so that I can say I did everything I did to help the wolfpack win. Look all around you people are constantly finding miracles and blessings in tragedies. I am once again thankful for all that we do have including a Nate Irving who is still breathing. I do see an amazing story coming out of this. Weather an amazing physical comeback or his mentoring of the youth that we have at LB. Or the team getting together and dedicating the season to Nate. I just love State so much that I will not let us be victims. My Carolina friends use to say “Poor State”. I wanted to punch them in the nose. I want to rise above this and be able to say “Poor Carolina or Duke” and this is the best way I know how. Go Pack!! Be a winner and play like Nate would!!!!

    Not a bad slogan for the year “Play Like Nate Would! PLNW bracelets for everyone.

  16. Noah 06/29/2009 at 12:58 PM #

    I fully expect that he will try to play in the second half of the season and help us win the Atlantic.

    He won’t be ready, even if every single thing goes 100 percent as well as could be expected.

    If he plays at all this year, it would be at the extreme end of the year. The only reason to play him then is if the staff knows fully well that he won’t be eligible for a sixth year.

  17. ncsslim 06/29/2009 at 2:33 PM #

    ^ and very, very doubtful that he would come back for a sixth even if he were eligible.

  18. MrPlywood 06/29/2009 at 2:49 PM #

    Here’s hoping for a full recovery for Nate. The team will be fine. The O will just have to score more until Nate gets back, or the D catches up.

    PLNW indeed, or WWND (What Would Nate Do?) 🙂

  19. Noah 06/29/2009 at 2:53 PM #

    and very, very doubtful that he would come back for a sixth even if he were eligible.

    You’re assuming that he comes back the same player he was last year.

  20. wolfpack95 06/29/2009 at 3:26 PM #

    Always good to see ESPN’s College Football Live reporting the reckless driving charge with brief speculation over Irving falling asleep at the wheel.

  21. GAWolf 06/29/2009 at 4:54 PM #

    Falling asleep at the wheel is in and of itself contrary to the elements of careless and reckless driving. You have to have the specific intent to drive with reckless disregard of the safety of others… 1) you can’t do that while asleep and 2) others have to be involved.

    He’s not guilty of the crime of careless and reckless driving. Left of center, failure to maintain lane, or even unsafe movement are possible charges, but C&R is a typical knee-jerk reaction of the SHP when there’s a wreck. This, by their own assessment of what happened, was an accident and not a willful violation of the law. I anticipate that the charge will be dismissed when his insurance pays for whatever property damage occurred, if any.

  22. GAWolf 06/29/2009 at 4:57 PM #

    I agree with whoever previously stated that Nate is the worst person we could have lost for the year. He will be sorely missed and I’m afraid our record will show it.

    Get well soon, Nate.

  23. Broccoman 06/29/2009 at 5:22 PM #

    Yeah, worst person we can lose, but it isn’t guaranteed L’s on the record- you gotta gut it out despite the adversity. I still think we can have a good season, and maybe win the ACC with some luck.

    As someone who gets off work at 8am regularly, I know what it’s like, he’s lucky. He shouldn’t be out at 5am though, unless there’s a really good reason. I hope TOB reads him the riot act for this- might help him out in the long run.

  24. lsutton5144 06/29/2009 at 6:07 PM #

    Let’s look at this from another perspective. How would you feel if you were Nate’s backup and everyone is screaming doom and gloom like you can’t get the job done. Perhaps it inspires you to play beyond your best, or does it discourage you to the point the negative thoughts take over? I realize this is where coaches help, but maybe it’s something that fans should think about as well.

  25. Wufpacker 06/29/2009 at 6:17 PM #

    waxhaw Says:
    June 29th, 2009 at 7:12 am
    ^ There is no upside to losing your best defensive player for the year (or at least a lot of the year). Even if you say he comes back next year when the team supposedly will be better, there are no guarantees. Some people never come back from a serious injury. There could be other injuries to affect next year.

    Losing Nate is huge loss.
    ——————————————-

    Of course losing Nate is a huge loss, OF COURSE there are no guarantees…there never are, and perhaps using the word “upside” was not quite correct. But to allow this loss to cause our optimism to do a complete 180 degree turnaround is a bit of an overreaction IMO. Its a loser’s mentality and unfortunately it is what we’ve become accustomed to as State fans.

    Nate is (was?) a valuable member of this squad, but he is not the entire team or even the entire defense. Admittedly, his absence (after injury) last year was very detrimental to the defense as a whole but there were other factors in play then that should not be this season. For the most part, the entire defense as whole is more talented and a year more experienced. I do not expect Nate’s absence to cause them to fold like a cheap suit like it did last year.

    Add to that the extra experience that will be gained by younger players, and it COULD (not necessarily WILL) be a situation that results in an overall stronger defense when all is said and done. Those things do happen…an overall improvement after overcoming adversity.

    Many have argued that the ’83 bball team benefitted from such adversity and, though impossible, it would be interesting if we could find out how that season would have played out if Whitt had not gone down with an injury. I know it gave Ernie Myers(Fr) and Terry Gannon(So) PT they would not have otherwise gotten, and even though Myers was not a huge contributor during the championship run, Gannon most certainly was.

    All I’m saying is that, yes the loss of Nate Irving sucks and I wish it was not the case, but it is not (or at least SHOULD not be) the death nail that many are making it out to be. We still have a talented team with a fair amount of depth and we should still have a successful season. We probably won’t win the conference but honestly, folks who were expecting that this year were already setting themselves up for disappointment.

1 2 3 4

Leave a Reply