Greg Austin will be one of 18 seniors who run onto the field after being introduced individually Friday as part of Senior Day at Memorial Stadium.

In Austin’s case, we use “run” loosely.

For accuracy’s sake, Austin will lumber onto the playing field. To be sure, he will move rather clumsily, like an overloaded wagon rumbling down an uneven dirt road.

The 6-foot-1, 285-pound offensive guard from Houston carries a large frame on two bad knees — a chronically sore right one and a recently injured left one.

When Nebraska’s big No. 65 plods out of the tunnel, his hobbling gait might make you wince.

Which begs the question: Will this kid be able to walk normally when he’s 45? 35? 30?

“I believe I’m going to be able to walk OK,” Austin said Monday. “If I was putting myself in major danger (by playing), believe me, I wouldn’t do it.

“Nah,” he concluded, “I’m going to be just fine.”

“Fine,” of course, is a relative term. The inner workings of Austin’s right knee have been depleted to the point where it’s “bone on bone,” he said, which means cartilage is scarce. Which means this football season, without a doubt, will be his last.

 Austin plans to graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in business/management. He wants someday to own a business. As for the business of the NFL, forget it. If he were 100 percent healthy, well, maybe that dream would persist past December. After all, he’s a good college player, a physical run-blocker, a two-year starter. But let’s face it, he’s nowhere near 100 percent healthy.

 In fact, he’s been hobbling since November 2003, when his right kneecap popped loose and rotated to the outside of his leg during practice after he planted awkwardly during a pass-blocking drill.

“That felt really good,” Austin said Monday with a smile.

His right knee constantly aches, especially in cold weather. And his left knee feels worse these days because he strained the medial collateral ligament Oct. 28 against Oklahoma State. In fact, his left knee is the problem this week.

Austin keeps plugging along, never complaining. His story of pain often has been told. But it’s worth one more shot, what with Senior Day looming.

Nebraska coach Bill Callahan describes Austin as the Husker offensive line’s “bell cow,” as an inspiration to teammates, “a guy who’s given his heart and soul to football. He’s sacrificed tremendously.”

And maybe that alone makes Austin’s story worth retelling.

Or maybe it’s because stories of courage almost always are worth retelling.

Nebraska junior I-back Brandon Jackson said Austin is the teammate who inspires him most.

“You could tell that his knee was hurting in almost every game, but still, he fights and fights,” Jackson said. “He makes the block. He does what he has to do to make the block.”

Austin may or may not play Friday. If he doesn’t play, it won’t be for lack of courage. He has displayed courage countless times since that fateful practice in November 2003, when he battled with Le Kevin Smith, planted and … the pain shot through his leg like a lightning bolt.

Bouncing back. Playing through pain. Persevering. Those traits we seek in athletes we admire.

At this point in the season, most players are playing through some degree of pain. Austin plays through pain at all points of the season, even during the offseason. Heck, as he walks to class.

Did Callahan ever try to nudge Austin toward retirement, fearful of potential long-term effects of the player’s knee problems?

“When a player has a passion …  I would never, ever try to kill his spirit about coming back and playing,” Callahan said. “That’s the great thing about life — you can do what you want to do. That’s the great thing about America. You can play football and try to do it as long as you can. If a guy is willing to fight through injury, if that’s what he wants to do, he has my full support.”

Most people in Austin’s shoes, or with his knees, would have hung it up long ago.

“When he’s 45 or 50 years old, he’s not going to be walking straight — unless medical science comes along with something great,” Callahan said.

Although pain persists, Austin possesses a “burning desire” to play Friday, Callahan said.

Whether he plays or not, Austin will run — er, lumber — onto the field Friday to loud applause, as will the rest of his senior teammates.

When big No. 65 is introduced, you might be tempted to turn away, as it sometimes hurts to watch Austin run.

I plan to watch Austin’s every step.

If he can endure the pain, surely I can.

Reach Steven M. Sipple at 473-7440 or ssipple@journalstar.com.