September 28, 2016 | Football, Andy Baggot
A knee injury derailed Chris Orr’s season, but his eyes and ears are keeping the Badgers on track
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A knee injury ended Chris Orr's season, but that setback hasn't stopped the perpetually-positive linebacker from finding a unique way to make an impact on his teammates — and Wisconsin's coaching staff. | From Varsity Magazine
BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
All told, the mourning process for Chris Orr lasted only a minute or so. It's all he would allow.
There was a 30-second burst of woe-is-me when Orr, the sophomore inside linebacker for the Wisconsin football team, was told that he wouldn't be able to return to action against LSU in the season opener on Sept. 3.
Orr had injured his right knee on the first defensive play from scrimmage for the Badgers during the Lambeau Field College Classic in Green Bay.
Sitting inside the visitor's locker room, Orr said he initially took the news hard before his father Terry — who had come down from the stands — helped clear the fog of disappointment.
"You know what you have to do," the former NFL tight end told his son.
"Yes, sir," Chris replied. "Get back out there and help my teammates as much as I can."
Orr dutifully returned to the bench, where he could be seen and heard exhorting the unranked Badgers to a major upset.
A day later, after UW claimed a 16-14 victory over the then-fifth-ranked Tigers, Orr got confirmation that he had torn his anterior cruciate ligament and would miss the rest of the season.
"As soon as I got hit with the news, I probably had about 30 seconds to mourn — sob about it — and then I saw my teammates and I was like, 'You know what? I'm just going to work hard in this prehab and rehab after surgery,'" Orr said.
The same day he got the diagnosis, Orr popped his head into the Camp Randall Stadium office of UW coach Paul Chryst.
"I just want to make sure you saw me smiling today," Orr told him.
Yes, Orr is a unique character.
"It doesn't do any good if guys see me down as one of the leaders on this team," he said. "If they see me down — see me hurt, see me defeated — then what does that show to them? It shows that I don't practice what I preach.
"I've just got to embrace this. We all have a plan in life, but it's all about reaction to what happens."
Orr's response to misfortune can be seen every day and not just behind the scenes.
When he's not in class, receiving treatment or in the weight room, Orr is playing an uncommon role.
He's meeting daily with first-year UW defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox to go over preparations for the upcoming opponent. Not only is Orr doing research and sitting in on position meetings, he's on the sideline during games, wearing a headset that connects him to Wilcox up in the press box.
Injured players typically don't travel with the team, but Orr is an exception.
He was there last week when UW opened the Big Ten Conference season with a resounding 30-6 victory over Michigan State in East Lansing, Michigan.
His presence will continue Saturday when the eighth-ranked Badgers (4-0 overall, 1-0 in the Big Ten) face fourth-rated Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
"I've always been impressed with Chris' knowledge of the game, and he has been helpful," Chryst said.
"Chris is a real smart guy," Wilcox said. "He gets football. He studies it. He loves it. He likes to come up and ask, 'Why are we doing what we're doing this week?'"
Orr's curiosity could involve the makeup of personnel groupings or formations or defensive calls. When not attending class — he's a life sciences communication major — he's a fixture in the football offices and in video sessions.
"If they see me down — see me hurt, see me defeated — then what does that show to them? It shows that I don't practice what I preach."
Orr served as a sideline liaison during the home opener on Sept. 10 vs. Akron — a 54-10 victory — and the assignment grew from there.
"That's his way of helping the team," Wilcox said.
The arrangement evolved out of discussions between Orr and Wilcox. Chryst ultimately gave his blessing.
"I told him I want to become a better football player any way I can so when I do come back — or when I'm watching the games now or helping out at the games now — I'm going to have a good idea what he's going to call," Orr said of Wilcox.
"It's good for him and I think it's good for our linebacking group and I think it's good for our defense," Wilcox said.
Orr brings more than knowledge to the project.
"Chris plays a vital role on this team, and not just on the field, but off the field for us," UW senior outside linebacker and captain Vince Biegel said.
"He exudes a certain energy and charisma about him. It's one of a kind. For him to be able to be with us on Saturdays, it's special for us."
Orr's presence and influence were on display during preseason training camp. When two altercations brought an abrupt end to a practice — an irritated Chryst made everyone run wind sprints — Orr asked to address the team. He delivered a message of unity.
"He's really wise beyond his years," Biegel said.
Orr, from DeSoto, Texas, played in 10 games as a true freshman, starting six. His role was expected to be more pronounced this season, but fate had other plans.
"I just want to help as much as I can," he said. "I'm always going to bring energy no matter what.
"I still look at myself as a leader on this team. Maybe not on the field, but I can still provide some leadership when guys are down or maybe when we hit some adversity."
Wilcox wants Orr to "be another set of eyes and ears" on the sideline. Wilcox oversees inside linebackers, but he wants Orr to provide insight and feedback to the outside linebackers as well.
"He might pick up things that even Coach Wilcox isn't seeing that he can use," UW junior outside linebacker T.J. Watt said of Orr.
Such as? Watt mentioned the fatigue factor as well as getting first-hand thoughts from the players as to what's working and what tendencies are being exposed.
Watt likes having Orr on the mix for his personality as well.
"He's just loose," Watt said. "He'll joke around on the sidelines to loosen you up a little bit."
Orr is scheduled to have surgery Oct. 5 — UW has a bye that weekend — and begin rehabilitation as soon as possible. He said he intends to keep handling his new assignment — home and away — although it could mean a temporary seat in the press box.
"If I can still go on the sidelines, I'll go on the sidelines," Orr said. "Of course I'll be (standing) back a little bit more because I can't move as much, but I'll still be there."
Asked if he plans to be fully healed in time for spring practice, Orr demurred.
"I'm shooting to be back as soon as possible," he said. "Whenever I'm the strongest, whenever they say I'm the healthiest, whenever they say I'm ready, I'll be ready."
Wilcox said Orr may not be playing this season, but he's still improving his stock by being a central figure on game day.
"He said, 'Since I'm not playing, how can I get an edge?'" Wilcox said. "That was something he wanted and I was all for it."
Not only does Wilcox want Orr close to the action, his teammates feel the same way.
"Chris Orr is a great guy to have on the sidelines," Watt said.
"We want Chris to be on this journey with us," Biegel said. "He's one of us. He's put in the blood, sweat and tears in the offseason and it's only right for him to come with us."
