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15 college football players whose careers ended too soon

By Connor Muldowney

Aug 30, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Clint Trickett (9) throws the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the fourth quarter of the 2014 Chick-fil-a Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Clint Trickett (9) throws the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the fourth quarter of the 2014 Chick-fil-a Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; The Alabama Crimson Tide logo on the playing field at the Georgia Dome in preparation for the SEC Championship Saturday. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; The Alabama Crimson Tide logo on the playing field at the Georgia Dome in preparation for the SEC Championship Saturday. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

Tyrone Prothro made a catch that’s still being talked about today. The former Alabama receiver went up to make a reception over Southern Mississippi’s Jasper Faulk in a September 2005 game during Prothro’s junior season. He came down with his hands around the ball, which happened to be around the back of Faulk.

Just watch this incredible reception. It’s quite possibly the best college reception of all-time:

That reception in an early-season game was the play he was made famous for. Fans knew his name because of the catch — well and the fact that he was one of the SEC’s best returners before the 2005 season.

A few weeks later, he was known for something horrific. Prothro went up for a catch against Florida and the Gators’ defensive back came down on his leg, shattering both the tibia and fibula. It was one of the most horrific injuries in recent memory. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who is even slightly squeamish.

Prothro’s leg would never be the same. After 11 surgeries, his leg was still not close to fully-healed and he knew that his playing days would be over. He never played another down, finishing his Alabama career with 58 catches for 853 yards and five touchdowns while he was also a heck of a return man.

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