Some guys get all the breaks, literally.

Sean Sheller underwent surgery today to repair his broken left radius and ulna - both of the bones in the forearm.  This will keep him out of action for 8-10 weeks, and though I have a tiny glimmer of hope he may get back to take one last shot at *$c, it is very likely this injury means the end of his playing days at U.C.L.A.

I hope Bruins Nation will join me in thanking Sean for his devotion to Bruin football, and wishing him a speedy recovery. Even if he doesn't return for football, there are still a lot of books to carry come Winter Quarter.

Sean is unfortunately no stranger to injuries, having missed his freshman year in 2006 with an MCL tear and his RS Soph year in 2008 after surgery for an MCL tear.  This spring, he got the great news that the NCAA awarded him a medical redshirt that allowed him to suit up for his 6th season, and he started our first 3 games this year at left guard before suffering his injury in the third quarter against Texas. 

We have lamented the misfortunes and downright impossibly bad luck of our offensive line over the last few years, and Sean's career was no exception.  But Sean was a warrior, filling in whatever spot needed a body by playing special teams and D line early in his career, before moving over to the OL full time in 2010.  Last year, Sean took over the critical left tackle position for Jeff Baca and started 10 games.  He was awarded the Captain Don Brown Memorial Award for Most Improved Offensive Player for his play last season.

As a guy who knows that "Line Wins Games", I fully appreciate the dirty work that the big guys do up front so the fast skinny guys behind them can get all the glory.  The O Line has been pretty solid so far this year, and I was hoping we had finally left some of the bad juju behind.  Alas, wishful thinking once again.  Hopefully, Albert Cid or Chris Ward can slide across center to fill the left guard spot and keep the unit playing well in Sheller's absence.

Get well soon, Sean, and thanks for all your hard work on the OL.  You'll always be a Bruin.