Former Georgia OL Isaiah Wynn shares what he gained from ‘redshirt season’ with New England Patriots
By Andrew Olson
Published:
A season-ending injury is a major setback for any football player. For some NFL rookies, who are also adjusting to life in a new city with new teammates and coaches, it’s tempting to throw a pity party. Former Georgia OL Isaiah Wynn did just the opposite. When he learned that he tore his Achilles’ tendon during the New England Patriots’ final exhibition game of 2018 and would miss the regular season, he stayed positive and found ways to make the most of his “redshirt season.”
“Everything’s an opportunity and I looked at it as an opportunity to see how everything here works. Get a foundation and be around the guys,’’ Wynn told Jim McBride of the Boston Globe in a recent profile.
Wynn realized he had a lot to learn to adjust to life in the NFL, and learning was something he could still do while rehabbing from a torn Achilles.
“Just being here with the team was an education,’’ Wynn said. “There’s no sense of sitting around feeling sorry for yourself when the rest of the team is out there grinding and working hard. So, I just wanted to get back, you know. It feels good to be back out here working with these guys.’’
After his educational experience, Wynn is focused on the on-the-field grind. Wynn is in the mix to be New England’s new starting left tackle and those are big shoes to fill. Trent Brown left the Patriots this offseason, signing a four-year, $66 million deal with Oakland – the biggest contract ever for an offensive lineman.
Injury rehab is just a small part of McBride’s profile “Isaiah Wynn a study in the power of positive thinking.” It’s a worthwhile read for fans of Wynn, especially those who enjoy his #WinWithWynnWednesday posts on social media.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
