KEN HAMBLETON / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Friday, November 10, 2006 6:00 pm
Former Husker Cory Schlesinger, a 12-year NFL veteran with the Detroit Lions, is just getting back in the lineup after a three-week hiatus to heal a hamstring.
Schlesinger is known for his hard-hitting blocks as one of the last true fullbacks in the NFL. He has played in three Pro Bowls and earned Detroit offensive player awards three times. Schlesinger is known for breaking more than 20 facemasks (his) every season and he’s gone through more than a dozen helmets.
He also gained fame for his touchdown runs of 14 and 15 yards in the final eight minutes of the 1995 Orange Bowl, giving Tom Osborne his first national championship. He gained fame as a fullback at Columbus High by way of nearby Duncan, where he helped the family business picking up garbage. He drove in demolition derbies for fun.
Schlesinger, married to Karen for 11 years, is the father of Natalie, 8, and Leah, 6. He lives in Nebraska during the offseason and still works out at NU.
Schlesinger, who is one of 22 former Huskers with 10 years or more in the NFL, spent time with the Journal Star’s Ken Hambleton this week.
What do you think about the fact Nebraska’s fullback, Dane Todd, has no carries this year?
I’m going to have to call Coach Callahan and tell him to start using that secret weapon. But now that I think about it, I don’t have any carries this year. Just some receptions.
Your center, former Husker Dominic Raiola, threatened to gain revenge against DeAngelo Hall of the Falcons for a cheap shot in last week’s Lions victory. What about that?
Dominic is a very fiery guy. He’s got a lot of emotion and it was probably just talk. I’ve never been one of those guys. I just play and get ready for the next game.
What do you think about rookie cornerback and former Husker Daniel Bullocks playing with Detroit?
He’s getting better game by game. He can hit and he’s a tough competitor. He’s done well for a rookie and he’ll be in the NFL a long time.
You’ve been at this for 12 years. How much longer?
Certainly not 12 more years. Just take it a year at a time. But I am ready for the next stage in life, teaching, and as soon as football is over I’ll move into that.
Teaching what?
Industrial technology. I have done some teaching at NU and have subbed over the years. I think it’s important to learn to use your hands as well as your mind. I’m the kind of guy who doesn’t want to pay a fortune to change the oil or fix a tire. Learn to do it yourself. I like to encourage kids to do that, learn to work with their hands. There’s a lot of satisfaction in learning how things work and learning how to fix them yourself.
With daughters 8 and 6, are you becoming a soccer dad?
I was involved in T-ball in Lincoln the last few years. I think this is the year we get in more organized sports. I want to make sure I’m a part of it as much as I can with my schedule in the NFL. The girls are growing up so fast. It’s the same way my years in the NFL have gone by so fast.
What do you remember most about playing at Nebraska?
I didn’t think about it when I played there, but I’ve seen the photos of the stadium on game days and I guess I never realized the sea of red. I mean, that’s a lot of red. It’s unbelievable.
Do you see a lot of former Huskers during the NFL season?
Well, the only guys around that I played with at Nebraska are Will Shields (14 years), Zach Wiegert (12 years), Mike Minter and Mike Rucker. But it seems we haven’t played them in a long time.
Are the Lions back?
We’ve got some momentum. We’ve played some good football. Who knows?