By Jordan Hansen
When Brett Greenwood led Iowa out of Kinnick’s famous tunnel before the team’s game against Pitt last season, it was one of the most stirring moments of the extraordinary season.
Greenwood, who collapsed after a workout in 2011, sadly had significant brain injury (caused by a heart arrhythmia), and he was put in a medically induced coma for more than a month. The injury robbed him of his ability to walk and affected his memory.
“To see the progress Brett has made illustrates the same determination we saw from him as a player,” Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz said in a release. “He’s an amazing young man.”
After years of physical therapy, Greenwood was able to improve his ability to walk, eventually allowing him to have a special moment last year.
Now, the Iowa Football Club (a group of former Hawkeye letter winners) has agreed to start a scholarship in Greenwood’s honor and will match donations up to $25,000. The goal is to get to $50,000, after which the scholarship will be given to a player who “best exhibits Greenwood’s determination and strong will” according to a UI release.
“Together, we will provide financial support every year to a student-athlete who follows in Brett’s footsteps with courage and determination,” Bill Happel, an Iowa Football Club board member and Hawkeye football letterwinner said in a release. “But we need the help of loyal and generous Hawkeyes to make it happen.”