Tyrone Prothro will likely never see the field as a player again, but it hasn’t stopped the standout Alabama Crimson Tide receiver from remaining in the hearts and minds of those that saw him play. Known for being able to make quick cuts, snap judgments and electrifying the crowd, the Heflin, AL. native hopes to be on the sidelines again, but this time in a different role.
WHY YOU SHOULD KNOW HIM
Not very often do people instantly recognize a catch years after the fact that didn’t result in a touchdown, but the Hail Mary reception by Prothro in which he reached around Southern Mississippi’s Jasper Faulk to catch a ball has left a mark on anyone that has seen the play. Dubbed “the Catch” by many, the remarkable reception by Prothro on September 10, 2005, won a 2006 ESPY award along with the Pontiac Game Changing Performer of the Year.
Later that same season, Prothro made another memorable play, but unfortunately it was for all the wrong reasons. Just a fair warning, the video below, while not bloody, is not easy to watch as it quite clearly shows a devastating injury to Prothro’s leg.
WHAT HAPPENED
Prothro, after landing awkwardly on October 1, 2005 against Florida, had a complete fracture in both of the major bones (tibia and fibula) in his lower left leg. The injury effectively ruined a once-promising career for the young versatile player but now he has a new focus.
“Pro” was immediately rushed to a hospital and had surgery on his leg that was described by his former high school coach Michael Shortt as “a field injury in the war.”
Prothro battled infection and countless other surgeries in a 26-day hospital stay that has never fully healed. The next year, he brought out the game ball against Auburn to a hail of cheers from the Crimson Tide faithful, but he had a noticeable limp.
Prothro’s planned return never came about though and he was eventually put on a medical scholarship in 2007 by current ‘Bama coach Nick Saban. Instead of going down a path of despair, Pro kept his head up and graduated last summer with a degree from the College of Human and Environmental Sciences and a rising ovation from the crowd.
“You’re always one injury from retirement when you’re an athlete,” Saban said.“It could happen to anyone at any time. And I think it speaks volumes of him to overcome the adversity and still graduate and still develop a career.”
Three years later, Prothro still walks with that same noticeable limp but says, “I have a little pain, but it’s nothing serious.”
WHERE IS HE NOW?
Prothro’s focus these days is on returning to the field, but this time as a coach. In early-May, he was spotted at Jacksonville Jaguars mini-camp under the guidance of former Alabama head coach Mike Shula.
Prothro looks over the playbook
“Anytime you haven’t been on the field in a while and you get a chance to get back out and do what you love to do, or at least participate in what you love to do, it makes you feel good,” said Prothro. “It’s exciting and I enjoyed it a lot.”
Shula is currently the quarterbacks coach for Jacksonville and was helping Prothro get experience to put on his resume. Clearly, it worked.
“Even before I got hurt, I’ve always had it in my mind that once the NFL was over, if I made it to the NFL, I wanted to get into coaching” Prothro said. “It’s always been a dream of mine that I wanted to coach. I love this game and love teaching, so it’s a perfect fit.”
By mid-May Prothro was hired by the Birmingham Wildfire of the LaBelle Community Football League as a wide receivers coach. Prothro continues keeping his head high, having a book released in August and his coaching career well under way.
Prothro may have had his playing career cut short, but perhaps one day he will make it to the pros after all. Only this time as a coach.
STATS & HONORS
2004 (Sophomore)
347 yards off of 25 receptions with 1 TD, 10 punt returns for 98 yards, 17 kick returns for 452 yards and a TD, and 13 rushes for 66 yards and TD.
2005 (Junior)
Prothro was named to the preseason All-SEC second team as a return specialist and hopes were high for the multi-purpose player. Before the injury, Prothro had 17 receptions for 325 yard and 3 TDs, 18 punt returns for 81 yards, 7 kick returns for 193 yards, and 9 rushes for 92 yards.
Despite the injury, Prothro was named to the All-SEC second team as a wide receiver at the end of the season.
HIGHLIGHT REEL
Bill Graham covers college sports for Pete Prose and can be reached at Bill@peteprose.com
Graduated from Sam Houston State University with a BA in Mass Communications with an emphasis in print journalism. Have experience writing for two newspapers numerous online publications. Specialties are college basketball and football. 
My god, that injury looked HORRIBLE.
EVERY time I see it, I cringe. It is just horrendous.