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Gold and Black Illustrated, Vol 26, Digital 6

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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 26, ISSUE 6 10 Danny Anthrop is feeling bet- ter than he has in a long time. And that's good, it'll give the rookie wide receiver his best chance to stick with the Indianapolis Colts, where he signed as an undrafted free agent in April. We caught up with the Purdue graduate at the June Honors Dinner for the Joe Tiller Chapter of the National Football Foundation, where he received the Drew Brees Mental Toughness Award. Gold and Black: How has it gone with the Colts so far? Anthrop: "It's been really positive. Going down there about a month-and-a-half ago, it's been good. The Colts do a really good job of putting together a great locker room and a great group of guys. I've been trying to learn as much as I can from the older guys right now and the coaches." Gold and Black: Do you feel like you've made an impact early? Anthrop: "Yeah, I think so. At this point in my career and for most of the rookies, especially undrafted guys, you just have to take advantage of every opportunity you can get. And those might not come as often as you like, but as soon as you get an opportunity run with it." Gold and Black: Has anything surprised you? Anthrop: "Not really. It's kind of what I expected, just long days for the rookies because we're in there all day and night, but it's been a great opportunity." Gold and Black: Does it feel good to be on a football field and be healthy? Anthrop: "It does. I really haven't been in the training room at all. They're always asking me, 'Hey, are you going to come get some prehab or get a massage?' And I'm like 'No, I'm staying out. I'm staying out.' " Gold and Black: What's it mean to you to win the Drew Brees Mental Toughness Award? Anthrop: "Obviously, Drew Brees means a lot to this university and the community. It's a huge honor, just to get an award that represents him in his name is really a bless- ing for me." Gold and Black: Does it represent what you've been through, with the knee injury, then coming back and having the opportunity you do now? Anthrop: "Yeah, I think so. He had to deal with a lot of the same injury. He had an ACL in high school and had to come back from that. I read his book while I was go- ing through rehab because I had nothing else to do. A lot of the stuff that he said in there really struck home. I've talked to him a few times and been able to ask for some advice. He's a Boilermaker through and through and you know that the first time you speak to him." Q. Going through what you have, does it make you appreciate this more? Anthrop: "Oh yeah, I've seen what happens when you can't play football and there's a question if you'll keep playing. I have a real appreciation for the game and an apprecia- tion for my health. I'm a little reck- less still, but I think that's the only way to play football. Go- ing through what I've gone through, it gives me a lot of confidence that I can deal with anything." — As told to Kyle Charters Boiler Index Photo by Sandra Dukes

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