COLLEGE FOOTBALL: THE BOWLS : ROSE : Penn State’s Mazyck Makes Big Recovery

In the months after he was shot at a Columbia, S.C., gas station in 1991, Chris Mazyck talked a good game about playing football again at Penn State.

His teammates cheered him on during a two-year rehabilitation, but many had to turn away when they saw his left leg.

Mazyck had been shot six times in the leg, groin and buttocks with a .45 automatic at point-blank range. The shooter, now in prison, was angry at Mazyck (Ma-zeek) for not allowing him to date his sister.

After nearly bleeding to death on the pavement, Mazyck, a 6-foot-3, 280-pound defensive tackle, slowly recovered. Then came two years of excruciating rehabilitation. He was granted a rare sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA.

“We all encouraged Chris, but after we saw the leg, we all thought the same thing: ‘No way,’ ” Penn State running back Ki-Jana Carter said.

This year, Mazyck--who still carries all six bullets in his body--came all the way back.

In Penn State’s 11-0 season, he played in every game, started in eight and had 41 tackles, 27 solos and two sacks. In Penn State’s victory over Ohio State, he intercepted a pass and returned it 10 yards for a touchdown.