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Neil Parry defies the odds On September 18, 2003, Neil Parry of the San Jose State football team played his first down of college football in 35 months. Parry lost his lower right leg in 2000 as a result of a break that occurred during a Spartans football game. A severe infection from the break ultimately resulted in the amputation of his leg. “It was rough. I was a Division I athlete in the best shape of my life, the strongest point in my life, and all of a sudden I can’t move. I’m in a hospital bed on an IV and getting attended to by nurses. I couldn’t even eat. I lost 50 pounds. It seemed like everything was taken away from me.” After 25 operations, 15 different prosthetic legs, countless hours of rehabilitation, and years of preparation, Neil was ready to play football again. On September 18, 2003 Neil played in one play as a blocker on the Spartan’s punt return unit. Spartans head coach Fitz Hill made it clear that Parry’s return was not a charity gesture. “Parry earned his spot fair and square, and he became an example of courage