More on Oklahoma State FB Kye Staley being granted a sixth year of eligibility

Kye Staley’s battle back from a severe knee injury that should have ended his career has evolved from a feel-good and inspirational story to a straight-up success story. He’s not only back on the field; he’s thriving in a critical role in the Cowboys’ offense.

And last night we broke that the Oklahoma State fullback and fan favorite has been granted a sixth year of eligibility.

I talked to Staley about the news Monday afternoon. Here are some leftover quotes that did not make it into the story.

Kye Staley

On the play he sustained the injury in 2009:

“I was just trying to make a play and just got rolled up. (Former OSU defensive tackle) Chris Donaldson came in and just hit me in my knee, and everything just tore. I layed there and it was hot and I was swearing and cursing. It was miserable. When I was hurt was probably one of the worst days of my life.”

On the long recovery process:

“The main thing I didn’t have was confidence. Even though it wasn’t true, I felt like none of the coaches really had confidence that I could come back in play. I felt like they had basically just written me off.”

“Coach (Rob) Glass, he still believed in me. He worked me out 100 times harder.”

“Didn’t like John (Stemm) for a little bit. Now that I look back on it, I’m really glad he pushed me the way he did.”

“I knew that I could do it. Because if I could make it through that knee injury and (come) back, I knew I could play football again.”

On the move to fullback:

“I’ve always been a team player. I put the team first before I put myself. I wasn’t recruited to be a fullback, but I embrace the role. Coach (Jemal) Singleton asked me to be that person, and I embraced that role and just took a whole different attitude toward that position.”