http://www.mlive.com/sports/grpress/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1104578179262420.xmlKnee injury forces Anes to retire Saturday, January 01, 2005
By Gary Bond
The Grand Rapids Press
Curt Anes' Arena Football League career has ended before it even started.
The left knee injury Anes suffered during his junior season at Grand Valley State University in 2001 has caused him to not only give up on his attempt to earn a spot on the Grand Rapids Rampage's roster, it also has forced the 2002 Harlon Hill Award winner to retire from football.
Anes, 24, called Rampage coach Sparky McEwen this week and informed him of his decision to retire after consulting with a trio of doctors, including Frank Noyes, who's a doctors for the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals and is one of the world's best knee doctors.
The Rampage staged a three-day minicamp Dec. 2-Dec. 4. It was the Sunday after minicamp when Anes knew something was wrong.
"I woke up after the last day of minicamp and I couldn't move because my knee had swelled up," Anes said. "I saw a few different doctors, including Dr. Noyes in Cincinnati and they all said the same thing: I need to start thinking about my future without football.
"I'm still in shock because everything has happen so fast, but I have to do what's best for me and I will begin pursuing a coaching career and finishing up my college education." ... SEE ANES, C6
Anes is looking into becoming a graduate assistant at GVSU.
The problem with Anes' knee is there is no cartilage between the joints. Recent x-rays show it's almost bone on bone.
Anes led GVSU to a national championship in 2002 after leading the Lakers to the Division II national title game in 2001. He's the Lakers' leader in career passing yards with 12,189.
Anes was one of three quarterbacks on the Rampage training camp roster, along with Michael Bishop and Nick Browder. Typically, AFL teams keep two quarterbacks on the active roster and one is placed on the practice squad.
"I was really excited about the opportunity of playing arena football for my hometown team," Anes said. "I had't had any major problems with my left knee since the surgery."
Anes' situation has left coach McEwen scrambling to find a third quarterback before the Rampage open training camp Monday, a day of testing. The team will hold its first practice Tuesday.
"This is unfortunate for Anes and the Rampage because we looked at him as a bright talent in this game and I thought he was in a great situation competing for a job in his hometown," McEwen said.
"It was a sad day when he called with the news of his retirement because he was one of the first players I signed. Now I'll try to get someone in here before training camp begins."
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