The Patriots linebacker has been forced to sit out the season with a fractured left hip.
By John Mullin
Chicago Tribune

FOXBORO, Mass. – He has accepted the disaster as well as could have been expected. But a touch of wistful disappointment is clear in Rosevelt Colvin’s voice.

And why not? The ex-Purdue star and former sacks leader of the Bears went to the New England Patriots last off-season planning to be an integral part of another Bill Belichick team going to a Super Bowl.

That might happen. Just not this year.

Colvin fractured his left hip in a freakish, non-contact injury five quarters into the season while trying to scoop up a loose ball and run. Had he simply fallen on the ball …

Colvin feels the inevitable unhappiness of being separated from something he had worked to join. But he chooses not to dwell on hypotheticals or wonder whether the injury could have ended his career.

“Things happen for a reason,” said Colvin, 26, who was blessed with the birth of a daughter during his convalescence. “This was a time to grow stronger with my faith and be with my family. And I’ve just taken one day at a time.”

Those days have been filled with recovery followed by rehab that the 6-foot-3-inch, 250-pounder expects will allow him to be ready for the start of next season’s training camp. He spent a month and a half largely confined to bed, then advanced to crutches and only began to walk again less than a month ago.

In the weeks after the injury, Colvin studied the history of similar hip injuries.

Two-sport standout Bo Jackson and Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes are among those who sustained damage like Colvin’s. But he found that at least five players with the same injury had returned to NFL, Holmes included.

His injury was nowhere near as severe as Jackson’s nor precisely the same as Holmes’.

“But the doctors and I felt confident then that I could come back, and I do feel confident now that that’s going to happen,” he said.

Despite his short time playing for the Patriots, Colvin’s new teammates were regular visitors and chess and dominoes partners, and he was welcome in linebacker meetings and on the sidelines when he was able.

“That’s one of the major reasons I decided to come here, the way the people are,” Colvin said.

“Besides coach Belichick and the coaches and players, the whole organization has a family atmosphere. And even the fans have made me feel a part of everything.”

Colvin, who beat out Brian Urlacher as the Bears’ starting strong-side linebacker in 2000, stands as a personnel gaffe of general manager Jerry Angelo. When cornerback Jerry Azumah signed a five-year, $12.5 million contract before the 2001 season, Colvin and agent Kenard McGuire approached the Bears with a proposal: Colvin would take the same deal and let the Bears lock up long term one of the NFL’s emerging pass-rushing linebackers.

The Bears weren’t interested, even though Colvin was a starter and Azumah a backup at the time. Colvin led the Bears in sacks with 101/2 in 2001 and the same number in 2002. When Colvin became an unrestricted free agent, McGuire negotiated a blockbuster $30 million deal that included a $6 million signing bonus, and the Bears lost their best outside pass rusher since Richard Dent.

The move brought Colvin to an organization decidedly different from the one he left.

“It’s a much looser atmosphere, although wins can do that for you, obviously,” Colvin said. “And in Chicago it seemed like everyone, the coaches and the front office, weren’t on the same page. This is a totally different feel.”

Colvin was a fourth-round selection in the 1999 draft, part of an outstanding group of rookies under first-year coach Dick Jauron and defensive coordinator Greg Blache.

“Dick Jauron and his staff gave me the opportunity to experience the NFL and to play and become a significant player, and for that I will always be grateful,” Colvin said.

He wears a different uniform now, but his intention is to make Chicago his permanent home. He still talks with Azumah, Urlacher, Marty Booker, Warrick Holdman, Mike Green and others. He was gratified with the number of former teammates, like Bryan Robinson, who have called to check up on him.

“The Midwest is my foundation,” Colvin said. “I was born in (Indianapolis), and playing in Chicago was such a wonderful opportunity. And those guys will always be special friends.

“So after I’ve won 17 or 18 Super Bowls here, I’ll be back there to live.”