Reesing leaves the field and the limelight

Tucked away on a circular rack in the Kansas Union hang No. 5 jerseys. They share the space with rarely sold blue and white T-shirts, green shirts that say “Think Kansas, Think Green,” and a blue bathrobe dotted with Jayhawks.

photo

Senior quarterback Todd Reesing screams after his first touchdown of his final season. Reesing had more touchdowns and completed more passes than any Kansas quarterback.

On top of the rack sits a white sign with black letters. Clearance items.

The No. 5 jersey, of course, was popularized and sold because of Todd Reesing, the man who wore it each Saturday. Less than six months ago, the jerseys sold for $60. Now they’re half off.

So it goes at the end of seasons — and the end of careers — when players have no choice but to accept declining value.

Reesing is no different. Suddenly, he’s out of focus. His jersey is now on sale.

For the last three years, Reesing, a senior from Austin, Texas, served as the poster boy for Kansas football.

He appeared on ESPN’s “College Gameday” show in 2007. He appeared on the cover of USA Today’s football section before this season. He was as easily recognized — and perhaps even as popular — as any basketball player on campus.

Now he fills his days lifting weights, stretching, doing anything to help him prepare for a chance at professional football. He has no 6 a.m. meetings to attend anymore, no formal press conferences he must sit through.

Sometimes, Reesing doesn’t know how to occupy his time.

“I’ve loved all the years I played at Kansas,” Reesing said. “But the focus has turned toward the younger guys, and there is a whole new change with the coaching staff. And with everyone talking about them, it’s kind of nice.”

It’s also kind of different.

During his time as the fist-pumping, overtly confident leader of Kansas’ surging football program, everyone wanted a part of Reesing.

National media outlets wanted to write stories about him. Fans wanted to take pictures with him. Children wanted to play like him.

Flash Animation

Todd Reesing timeline

Roll your mouse over the field to see Todd Reesing's achievements. (By Melissa Johnson and David Cawthon)

And local media outlets wanted to find a new angle. When he struggled last season, that was headline-grabbing information, too.

“As much fun as it is playing college football and being in the spotlight, at times it can be taxing,” Reesing said. “There are definitely days you wish you didn’t have to answer any questions or days you wish you didn’t have to go practice.

“It’s nice to be able to take it easy.”

Less than a month after the season ended, Reesing, a finalist for the Campbell Trophy, attended an awards dinner given by the National Football Foundation in New York. The event was emceed by ESPN’s Chris Fowler.

At the end of the dinner, the award finalists — including Colt McCoy and the eventual winner, Tim Tebow — were ushered into a back room and made available to the media.

“This is going to be awesome,” Reesing told Mike Strauss, Kansas associate media relations director, before entering the room. “With all these other guys here, nobody will want to talk to me. That’s great.”

Only one media member — from the Associated Press — spoke with Reesing.

In the following weeks, Reesing will continue preparing in case a professional league ­— NFL, CFL, UFL — makes an offer. He said that he wanted to continue playing football in any league available and that after that he would go to graduate school.

But after four years, Reesing, an economics and finance major, is more than happy to be sleeping in, with plenty of free time during the day. The attention is now on others.

“For the most part, it wasn’t too bad here in Lawrence,” Reesing said. “Most people just wanted to talk real quick or shake your hand. I never really got mobbed or anything.

“But it will be nice to not have to deal with it as much. It’s definitely nice to be able to stay out of the spotlight for a little bit and let someone else take over.”

— Edited by Katie Blankenau

 

Related articles

Quarterback’s career defied expectations

Todd Reesing’s time at KU has so far brought victories, school records ...

/news/2009/aug/17/quarterback/

Reesing looking to make improvements

Quaterback works on skills both on and off the field.

/news/2009/nov/06/Reesing_improvements/

They’re not in Texas anymore

Kansas’ Todd Reesing and Mizzou’s quarterback Chase Daniel are both from Texas, ...

/news/2007/nov/20/theyre_not_texas_anymore/

Reesing a star at Big 12 Media ...

Mangino said the quarterback will have to zone out all the hype ...

/news/2008/jul/24/reesing/

Seniors’ careers end with last-second loss

Missouri defeated Kansas 41-39 in the Border Showdown at Arrowhead Stadium.

/news/2009/nov/30/seniors-careers-end/

Respect granted, world takes notice

After starting the season 5-0, the Jayhawks have garnered the attention of ...

/news/2007/oct/09/football/

Under-sized, under-appreciated, future quarterback has potential

/news/2005/nov/30/reesing_profile/

Merchandise sales spike after championship victory

Championship shirts have also been hot sellers.

/news/2008/apr/22/merchandise_sales_spike_after_championship_victory/

Reesing’s height not an issue for Jayhawks

At 5-foot-11, quarterback Todd Reesing’s height kept him from getting offers at ...

/news/2008/oct/30/reesings_height_not_issue_jayhawks/

The Buc starts here

After troubled past, former Jayhawk Talib is ready to live his dream ...

/news/2008/oct/01/talib/

Quarterback battle a highlight of spring practice

Three candidates have their sights set on the starting spot as spring ...

/news/2010/mar/26/quarterback-battle-highlight/

Border Showdown about more than rivalry

Although the Border Showdown has always been a cause for excitement, this ...

/news/2007/nov/20/border_showdown_about_more_rivalry/

Quarterback battles continue in spring game

Pick and Webb remain in QB race while Biere, Omigie and Matthews ...

/news/2010/apr/26/quarterback-battles-continue-spring-game/

Living the Wright life

Wright left Kansas for the NBA last year. His life outside of ...

/news/2008/apr/17/julian/

The highs and lows of Spring Scrimmage

Performances at the Spring Scrimmage helps Mangino - and fans - decipher ...

/news/2007/apr/18/sarraf/

Captains prepare team for coming season

Mangino sees promise in four new team leaders, on the field and ...

/news/2009/aug/18/captains_prepare/

Football season failed to reach expectations

Jayhawks got off to a strong start, finished surprisingly low.

/news/2009/dec/08/football-season-failed-reach-expectations/

Roesler: Stuckey impresses scouts

Kansas' defensive leader the past two seasons is now its best hope ...

/news/2010/jan/27/roesler-stuckey-impresses-scouts/

Reesing pulls ahead in quarterback race

Coach Mangino made it clear during media day that sophomore Todd Reesing ...

/news/2007/aug/13/quarterback/

Football Notes: September 5, 2007

An update on ticket sales for the game against Mizzou at Arrowhead ...

/news/2007/sep/05/football_notes/

One game at a time

In order to have a chance at the BCS National Championship game, ...

/news/2007/nov/13/one_game_time/

Virtual game, real dollars

/news/2005/apr/20/news_campus_virtualgame/

Surprising season deserves top grades

The Jayhawks shone in nearly every facet of the game this season, ...

/news/2007/dec/04/surprising_season_deserves_top_grades/

A new ‘Title’ for Lawrence?

Lawrence is one of 20 finalists in ESPN’s ‘TitleTown USA,” contest. The ...

/news/2008/jun/26/title/

Football Notes: Sept. 20, 2007

Football Notes for the week

/news/2007/sep/20/football_notes/

Jayhawks feel the sting of another loss

Kansas couldn’t get back into the groove and fell 17-10 to Kansas ...

/news/2009/nov/09/jayhawks-feel-sting/

Is Kansas football more than just a ...

In the season’s first matchup against a nationally ranked opponent, the Hawks ...

/news/2008/sep/12/football_one_hit_wonder/

Former Jayhawks weigh in on Reesing’s legacy

Although Todd Reesing might not pan out in the NFL, Gale Sayers ...

/news/2010/feb/18/former-jayhawks-weigh-reesings-legacy/

South Florida 37, Kansas 34

South Florida made a last-second field goal to win the game at ...

/news/2008/sep/12/kansas_vs_south_florida_live_tampa/

Stuckey named finalist for CLASS Award

Senior safety Darrell Stuckey is one of 10 finalists from across the ...

/news/2009/dec/08/stuckey-named-finalist-class-award/

Finding a way to contribute

Scout team members Brandon Hawks and Tyler Hunt help prepare the Jayhawks.

/news/2009/nov/06/finding-way-contribute/

The uncertainties of spring practice

Gill must choose a quarterback and defensive end and still has to ...

/news/2010/apr/15/uncertainties-spring-practice/

Others’ trash is Kansas’ treasure

Schools such as Oklahoma and Texas looked past Kansas players Tood Reesing, ...

/news/2007/oct/26/football/

Morning Brew: Draft gurus always flop

Despite lengthy research by supposed experts, mock draft picks are rarely accurate ...

/news/2009/apr/21/morning_brew/

Matthew Buechner wins HOPE Award

The HOPE Award is the only University honor decided completely by students.

/news/2009/nov/16/buechner-wins-hope-award/

Miles rates among best in nation

/news/2005/jan/25/sports_column_Miles/

A step backward for Kansas football?

College football expert Phil Steele has Kansas at No. 30 in his ...

/news/2008/jun/17/step_backward_kansas_football/

Dufek: Why ESPN should vote Todd for ...

No one on ESPN’s expert panel has deemed Reesing worthy of appearing ...

/news/2008/oct/07/todd_heisman_trophy/

Preparation finally ready to pay off

A new offensive coordinator, starting quarterback and a few other roster changes ...

/news/2007/aug/30/MFB/

Quarterback fights through adversity against Toledo

Sophomore quarterback Todd Reesing led Kansas to a 45-13 victory over Toledo ...

/news/2007/sep/17/Sider/

Comments

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.

Sign in to comment