Sept. 1, 2001

By Josh Murray
MU Media Relations Office

If Missouri senior long snapper Ben Davidson seems more excited than his teammates about the beginning of the season, it is because he has waited a long time to get back on the field.

It has been 21 months since he last played a game. He sat out the 2000 season recovering from back surgery and returns this year for his senior season at Missouri.

"It was tough to be on the sidelines last year watching," said Davidson. "Football has been important to me and so it was like something was taken away from me last year when I couldn't be out there. I'm just glad to be back with the guys."

Instead of going to practice and attending meetings, Davidson spent most of the past year in either the training room or weight room, doing various rehabilitation exercises for his back.

"The first thing I had to do was rebuild my muscles so I did a lot of back exercises," said Davidson. "After that, I had to get my flexibility back. It was a lot of hard work and several hours for several days of the same things."

But the hard work and long hours have paid off as he has been back practicing with his teammates and is feeling no ill effects from the surgery. He originally had a little nervousness coming back from the injury about how his back would hold up, but that quickly went away.

"After practice started I was able to get right back in there and feel comfortable right away. It didn't take long to get that feeling back."

Now Davidson looks forward to the season opener when his return will be complete. Taking the field at Memorial Stadium was something that Davidson, the Centralia, Mo., native, always dreamed of doing. Growing up just 25 miles from Columbia, Davidson has long been a Tiger fan.

"It's great being able to play here. I've always been a fan, even during the lean years," he said. "I grew up wanting to wear the black and gold. It's great to be able to do it."

At Centralia High School, he broke records as a tight end for number of catches in a game and in a season. He was named all-conference three times and all-district twice. He was also a two-time all-state track athlete and a two-time all-district basketball selection and was named Centralia's most outstanding athlete following his senior year.

Now at Missouri, the support from his hometown continues and his parents make it to each of his games - home and away.

"It's great to have parents who do that," he said. "When you come out of the locker room after the games, you see your parents who may have had to drive all night just to see you for that 15 minutes after the game."

Davidson is now a senior and although he is looking to move up the depth chart at tight end, he realizes that his major contribution to the Tigers is as a deep snapper.

"I know my role and I'll give my best effort there to help the team," he said. "I know that spot is where I can help the team the most."

He admits that there are ups and downs that come with being a deep snapper and he is able to laugh as some of the downs that he has experienced. In 1999, he had two snaps go over the punter's head in a game against Nebraska.

"Everyone knows me for that one game," said Davidson. "Everyone wants to be known for something. I guess I'm known for that. And everyone wants the SportsCenter highlight, I have had two."

He also plans to take on a role as a leader during his senior season.

"I just try to keep everyone going and everyone excited," he said. "It can be pretty difficult going to practice day in and day out. I just try to keep everyone up for the day-to-day things and make sure everyone stays excited and looks forward to going to practice everyday."

It's easy for Davidson to look forward to practice. It beats looking forward to another day of rehab.