Slater not quitting on senior season
BUTLER TWP — Just a routine play.
“I’ve done it a million times,” Butler senior receiver-defensive back Lance Slater said.
Only this time, his ankle didn’t cooperate.
During a light practice in late June, Slater caught a pass and tried a spin move around the corner. It’s one of his most effective moves on the football field. But when he made his cut, his ankle stuck in the turf.
“I dislocated my tibia and broke my fibula,” he said in assessing the damage. “I had surgery a week later. There’s a plate and seven screws in there.
“When I was on the turf, I was scared. I knew it was bad, I just didn’t know how bad. I know this much ... never for a second did I consider not being around this football team.”
Slater is around every day. His injured leg rests on a scooter as he maneuvers himself around the field during practice, or in the locker room or the weight room.
His football season is over. His time in a Golden Tornado uniform is not.
“Lance is here every day,” Butler coach Eric Christy said. “He talks to the guys. He does work in the weight room. He’s still a leader and very much a part of the team. He’s almost like a student coach.
“I wish we could see him running around on that field this season, doing great things. That’s what people in the stands have gotten used to seeing. They know Lance as an outstanding football player. He’s a much better person. He’s an inspiration, the way he’s handling this.”
Slater caught 25 passes for 507 yards last year — averaging 20 yards per catch — and a pair of touchdowns. He had 37 carries for 255 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, he had 39 solo tackles, an interception and two fumble recoveries.
And he weighs all of 150 pounds.
“I’m still trying to figure out what my role on the team will be this year,” Slater admitted. “I can’t walk on that leg yet, but I’m hoping to be cleared to do so by next Friday (Butler’s home opener) so I can be on the sideline with the guys.
“Anything I can do to help anybody on the team — provide encouragement, work with younger players, whatever — I’m gonna do it.”
Christy described his initial reaction to Slater’s injury as “heartbreaking.” He described the player’s handling of the situation as “inspiring.
“He is an ideal kid in every aspect of life,” the coach added.
The Golden Tornado have not named their captains for the 2022 season yet, but Slater stands a good chance to be one of them.
Also a basketball and baseball player at Butler, Slater hopes to be cleared to play basketball this winter. An infielder in baseball, he is receiving looks from Gannon, Indiana (Pa.) and Penn State Behrend, among others, for that sport.
Carrying a 4.3 grade point average, Slater plans to study architectural engineering in college. He also serves the community through his church.
“One thing this injury did for me is force me to look beyond sports,” he said. “There is more to my life than sports. I’m leaning on some of those other things right now, but I’ll be back.
“I’m going to miss playing football this year. I’m going to make sure I don’t miss football. I’m excited about what this team can do — the experienced players and the new guys — and I want to make sure everybody stays up.”
In the meantime, he’s doing what he can in the weight room.
“I can still stay in shape with my upper body,” Slater said. “I have to stay ready. I’m not done yet.”
