Kelly Page knew his thumb was hurt, but wanted to stay in Ball State University's game against Bowling Green State University on Oct. 17.
When coach Stan Parrish called for a running play, Page decided to tough it out.
"I was going to come out," Page said. "But I saw it was a run play, so I was like ‘I can stick this out.' I wasn't going to go in there and try and throw the ball and get another interception. I couldn't feel the ball to begin with."
Page left the game against the Falcons after it appeared he was hurt on a running play. But Page said Tuesday that he stayed in the game for at least one play after he broke the thumb on his throwing hand.
"I hit a couple helmets throwing the ball," he said. "I had no feeling in the thumb."
The Ball State training staff gave Page X-rays during the game. He said those came back negative and he thought he would be able to return to practice in a couple days.
"I was excited," Page said. "They said I'd be out a couple days just to get the swelling down and when I could grip the ball, I'd be ready to go."
Another X-ray and an MRI found that Page would require surgery to repair the break. Two screws were inserted into his thumb to stabilize the break last Wednesday.
"Setbacks are a part of life," he said. "You have to overcome adversity all the time."
Out for the season with a broken thumb, Page has assumed a new role for Ball State University.
In Ball State's 29-27 win at Eastern Michigan University on Saturday, Page put a headset on and became Parrish's pseudo-assistant quarterbacks coach.
"He was on the phone the whole game," Parrish said. "The learning part of going through this is really valuable. It was amazing how calm he was and how he saw everything."
Parrish said Page even suggested plays Saturday and is still participating in as many football activities as he can.
"He's been in all the meetings and took the test with us and traveled with us," Parrish said. "It's important that he's doing exactly what he's doing."
Page would rather be on the field, but for now is willing to help Tanner Justice, the new starter.
"Sometimes coach Parrish and I would talk on the sidelines about what we saw," Page said. "Tanner and I have a great relationship. I give him encouragement when he needs it. It's a tough position out there and you can't be out there alone."
Justice hasn't played well in relief of Page, completing 8 of his 31 attempts since Page was hurt against Bowling Green State University. He said there is room for improvement and is happy to have Page with him.
"I'm definitely glad he's on the sideline so I can come off and talk about every play," Justice said.
Page finished his redshirt freshman season with 1,019 passing yards, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. But the Texas-native is more concerned with the team.
"I'm not the team," he said. "I'm 0-7 as a starter. Tanner Justice is 1-0 as the starter. Yeah it's disappointing I got hurt, but I've got three more years here and we've got stuff to build on."
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