Florida Gators
Gator Fall Classic (Day 3)
Wuerffel showing signs of old self as he continues to recover from rare syndrome
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 | Football, Women's Tennis, Scott Carter
It has been more than three months since that doctor knocked on Danny Wuerffel's door at 5 in the morning to make sure he was still breathing.
Wuerffel was in Montgomery, Ala., in June as part of his work for Desire Street Ministries. The 1996 Heisman Trophy winner had not been feeling well and decided to go get some tests done. When the doctor discovered Wuerffel had Guillain-Barre syndrome, he immediately went to check on him out of fear for the worst.
“He wanted to make sure I was still breathing,'' Wuerffel said Saturday during his appearance at a Gator Booster Board of Directors meeting. “Guillain-Barre can paralyze the muscles in your chest and cause you to stop breathing.''
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare disorder that causes your immune system to attack your peripheral nervous system that connects your brain and spinal cord with the rest of your body.
Studies have not determined what causes the syndrome. Sometimes it is triggered by an infection, surgery or a vaccination. Whatever the cause, Wuerffel's life has not been the same since though he is showing signs of returning to normal.
“I was able to play with my kids harder this week than I have in probably three months,'' Wuerffel said Saturday. “I'm slowly starting to regain my strength and energy.''
Wuerffel moved maybe a tad slower on Saturday, but he looked fit and upbeat prior to Florida's game against Tennessee.
Wuerffel received a warm welcome from the approximately 80 high-ranking UF boosters at the meeting. UF President Bernie Machen and Athletics Director Jeremy Foley also attended, speaking to the boosters after Wuerffel made a heartfelt presentation.
“It's great to be here,'' he opened. “It's great to be anywhere, actually. It just really motivates me coming out of this illness. I know this – I was blessed to be a part of this program and I am blessed to be a part of this family.''
Wuerffel spoke to the boosters about the importance they play in the program's success. He also spent time with first-year Florida head coach Will Muschamp and the players on Friday night at the team hotel.
Wuerffel said during his illness that Muschamp texted him about every other week to check in and see how he was.
“Even though they are new, they are already part of the Gator family,'' Wuerffel said of the new staff. “I really enjoyed getting to spend some time with them.''
Once Wuerffel finished talking, Machen addressed him before turning to other business at the meeting.
“You epitomize what we hope comes out of this university,'' Machen said.
