A long road home

Brandon Tate tries to keep on the positive side of things. The torn right ACL and MCL he rarely lets it bother him.

But every now and then he lets his guard down and the injury's effect is clear.

It showed Thursday when Tate was getting a massage in Kenan Football Center's players' lounge.

While the masseuse gently worked" she casually reminded Tate that he will come back ""stronger than he was before"" once the rehab process is complete.

""It don't seem like that"" Tate replied.

But times like that are few and far between, and Tate has focused on doing everything for a full recovery.

More often are the brighter moments — one being Saturday against N.C. State, when Tate will join the rest of UNC's seniors to celebrate their final home game as Tar Heels.

I know the fans are going to be going crazy and stuff like that" so I'm just going to soak all that in" Tate said. I'm real excited. I've been thinking about this all week.""

It's the allure of getting back on the field Saturday — and of his future pro career — that have driven Tate through his rehab. The senior knows it's a long road to 100 percent"" but he does his best to keep a positive outlook.

""I'm doing fine" he said. Getting better every day. Going into the training room" busting my tail in there.""

Those morning rehab sessions are when Tate runs through an assortment of exercises in order to regain the strength and explosiveness in his right knee.

He straps a band to his ankles and side-steps back and forth. He steps up onto a platform" balances on his surgically repaired knee and then squats.

Two simple movements but for Tate it's a workout. The grimace on his face and his shaking right leg can attest to that.

As much as it hurts and as much as Tate sometimes wants to hit the snooze button and skip the training room he knows that's what he's got to do if he wants to continue on his path to the pros.

He said he hopes to be close to 90 percent if not 100 percent for February's NFL combine in Indianapolis Ind. There" he has just one goal.

""To show the scouts I'm not dead. I'm back to finish what I started" because I feel like I left a lot on the field" Tate said. I felt like I haven't reached my peak yet out there.""

But Tate's life at UNC isn't all preparation for the NFL. He still finds ways to make his presence felt by the Tar Heels.

He watches each game from his house — UNC doesn't want him on the sidelines during games for fear of further injury — and always lets junior Hakeem Nicks know his take on the game.

""I talk to him right after the game" and we talk about different situations and he's always giving advice" Nicks said. He helps out a lot.""

And with all the time he spends in the training room"" Tate is still around the program enough not to be forgotten.

""The players before practice all come through the training room"" Tate said. We all talk and stuff like that. I've still got the same bond with the players.""

Coach Butch Davis said Tate is a constant presence throughout the week inside Kenan Stadium. ""Some weeks I almost see him every day" he said. He'll come to the receivers' meetings or I'll see him down in the training room" and we talk quite a bit.""

All that leads to Saturday's game against N.C. State. North Carolina sits at 7-3 and on the cusp of a nice bowl invitation.

For the first time since Oct. 11" Tate will appear on the field before a packed house and because of that" the Tar Heels have more incentive to knock off their in-state rival. They want to put on an entertaining show for their broken star.

""We definitely" as a wide receiver group want to send him out with a good game Nicks said. We want to show him how much he meant to us as a brother and just show him that we still care for him" and we're still here for him.""



Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.