Taste of success sweet for OSU lineman

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Sitting in the doctor's examination room, Ivan Douglas couldn't comprehend what he was hearing.

The doctor was saying something about how not only his football career was in jeopardy, but so was his life. Douglas was having a difficult time grasping that what he had worked so hard for might come crashing down because of a small blood clot in his lung.

The 19-year-old offensive lineman's mind kept drifting back to his responsibilities with the Ohio State football team.

"I was sitting with my mom and (head trainer) Doug (Calland)," Douglas recalled of the meeting in March 2001. "We were talking to the doctor and he was explaining the process to me to get the blood clot cleared out: 'We're going to do a procedure, a catheterization, run a little tube in there and chisel some of blood clot out.' I said, 'Well, we've got spring practice, so let's get it done so I can get back out there."'

Douglas laughed, paused and said, "Then they explained to me that it wasn't going to be that simple."

Laughs a lot these days

The largest member of Ohio State's No. 2 ranked and unbeaten team, the 6-foot-8, 305-pound Douglas laughs a lot these days. He feels as if he's received a second chance at life, which includes football -- of course.

"To go through what I did last year, to be able to come back and contribute at this level, it's a beautiful thing," he said, a broad smile spreading across his face. "I'm fortunate for that."

Two years ago, Douglas was a valuable backup at two positions on the line and was expected to challenge for a starting spot.

But he didn't feel right during spring workouts that year. Team doctors ran tests and Douglas was abruptly told in the examination room that his life might never be the same.

"They almost didn't let me leave the doctor's office," he said. "But they let me go and get some things from home and I had dinner with my family one last time before I went to the hospital. I didn't really realize how serious it was."

Douglas spent two weeks in the hospital and over that time he learned just how dire his condition was. Friends and acquaintances sent him information about athletes who have been detected with blood clots in their lungs. One of the stories frightened him.

"It was about a female volleyball player who passed away from a blood clot," Douglas said. "She was on a plane -- and I was taking a lot of plane trips that month."

The surgical procedure, rest, medication and a new diet slowly turned things around. He wasn't able to practice with the team that summer or fall, but was able to rejoin his friends and teammates toward the end of the season although he never returned to the field.

Leader in the locker room

This year, he has been a valuable addition on the line and has been a leader in the locker room. He's expected to start at left tackle when the Buckeyes play No. 1 Miami in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 3.

"The road has been long and hard," offensive coordinator Jim Bollman said. "It would be hard for me to ask a lot more of him."

Douglas works harder in practice than he ever did before. He is frequently approached by younger players for advice. The smile seldom leaves his face.

"He's a guy who has definitely gone through a lot of life-changing experiences," tight end Ben Hartsock said. "He doesn't take things for granted anymore."