6/10/2016 football Edit

Purdue's Anthrop talks Colts' camp, Brees Award

Kyle Charters • BoilerUpload

Staff Writer

Danny Anthrop isn’t going anywhere near the Colts’ training room.

He’s been tempted, however, drawn in by a little bit of peer pressure.

“They’re always asking me, ‘Hey, are you going to come get some prehab or get a massage?’” Anthrop said, “and I’m like ‘No, I’m staying out. I’m staying out.’”

Can’t blame him. Anthrop, who took a break from Colts’ training to attend the Honors Dinner of the Joe Tiller Chapter of the National Football Foundation Friday night, is finally healthy, after spending last season recovering from a torn knee ACL and other ailments. They all added up to stymie his play, although he never complained much and kept at it as best as possible on Saturdays.

But now, well more than a year-and-a-half past injury, the wide receiver, undrafted but signed by Indianapolis as a rookie free agent, is feeling great. He’s working out with other rookies right now, getting more work in the Colts’ system, following the end of an OTA on Thursday.

“At this point in my career and for most of the rookies, especially undrafted guys, you just have to take advantage of every opportunity you can get,” he said. “And those might not come as often as you like, but as soon as you get an opportunity run with it.”

It’s that attitude that has assisted Anthrop through his career, helping him make the transition from small high school football — he went to then Class A Central Catholic in Lafayette to the Big Ten at Purdue and now to the NFL. And that ascent, in combination with overcoming his injury, has Anthrop as the recipient of the Drew Brees Mental Toughness Award. It was given to him Friday night at the NFF.

Anthrop, like many, grew up a Brees’ fan, then read the Saints QB’s book, “Coming Back Stronger” during his own rehabilitation following the injury in ’14.

“I had nothing else to do,” Anthrop said. “A lot of the stuff that he said in there really struck home. I’ve talked to him a few times and been able to ask for some advice. He’s a Boilermaker through and through and you know that the first time you speak to him.

“Drew Brees means a lot to this university and the community. It’s a huge honor, just to get an award that represents him in his name is really a blessing for me.”

Anthrop was one of several honorees at the 12th-annual Honors Dinner at the Purdue Memorial Union. The others include:

• Bernie Flowers Award for Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football: Larry Leverenz, Eric Nauman and Tom Talavage

• “He Played Football” Award: Doug DeVos

• Legends Award: Tom Spurgeon

• Patrick Mackey Courage Award: Josh Turanchick

• Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award: TBA (out of 14 finalists)

Plus, former Purdue player Pete Quinn and coach Jim Young were recognized for their induction into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame.

Anthrop was honored to be a part. But much of his focus is on making the Colts’ roster this season; to do so, he’ll likely have to have a big summer, training camp and preseason.

“Right now, I’m on the 90-man and that roster fluctuates all the time,” he said. “People come and go and I’m just really excited for these next two weeks and then when mini camp comes around to be able to prove myself in those preseason games and those practices.”

Membership Information: Sign up for GoldandBlack.com now | Why join? | Questions?