Rams News

Excerpts from Grant Wistrom's book:
05/02 05:50 PM

Excerpts from ``Wistrom & Peter: Heart & Soul,'' a book authored by Keith Zimmer after Nebraska's 1997 season. The book was derived largely from journal entries from Grant Wistrom and Jason Peter.

Peter on Wistrom's post-play celebrations:
``Grant is still a rookie. I felt bad for him and his family after his first sack in the Kickoff Classic against West Virginia and also against Kansas State. He looked like a helicopter twirling around.''

Wistrom on the 1997 Missouri-Nebraska game:
``We went from nearly three straight shutouts to not being able to stop a team, It was a complete, utter feeling of helplessness. It reminded me of the Big 12 Championship game last year against Texas. No matter what we tried, we just couldn't stop Missouri's offense. They just kept taking it to us, and I found myself wondering if it would ever end. I felt there would have to be some point where they misfire and we start clicking and then we pull away, but it just never happened. Missouri had the perfect game plan and capitalized on all of our busts.''

After the win, according to Wistrom:
``It was actually reasonably under control in the locker room. It was like everyone was still in such a state of shock or amazement with the flurry-like finish. The look in everyone's eyes was very telling, seemingly saying, we got a break today and let's never let this happen again.''

Wistrom on his last game at Nebraska's Memorial Stadium:
``I was really cold and wanted to get off the field and into the locker room. Still, I couldn't force myself to do it. I wanted to stay out there and just soak everything in. I wanted to thank the home fans one last time.''

Wistrom's take on the Alamodome, where Nebraska defeated Texas A&M in the Big 12 Championship game:
``As far as domes go, this was as good as I've seen. It wasn't intimidating or overwhelming. I've never really been a fan of domes. To me, it feels like you are playing in a convention center and it takes away the purity and the elements of the game.''

Wistrom on his visit with retiring Nebraska coach Tom Osborne after the Orange Bowl victory:
``I tried to sum up my feelings to the man by saying thanks for everything, but that really didn't scratch the surface, considering all that he has done for me. He's done more for me than I could sum up in 100 pages. I could give story after story and example after example about Coach Osborne's commitment to me as a total person. I will forever be in his debt.''

Wistrom on Kendall Chalmers, a young boy with leukemia who attended the 1996 Nebraska-Missouri game:
``. . . Everyone thinks players like Jason and I are almost super-like heroes. People assume that we are so big and tough and can emotionally handle any circumstance. Guys like Jason and me are 22 and 23 years old and have a choice if we want to play football or not. Kendall didn't have a choice about leukemia, and his body was experiencing a tremendous amount of pain that most can't even begin to imagine. Kendall helps me keep everything in perspective, especially when I feel sorry for myself.''

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