Miami QB Brett Gabbert makes his comeback at the Arizona Bowl

Miami QB Brett Gabbert makes his comeback at the Arizona Bowl

Brett Gabbert was sprawled on the turf of his home stadium upon returning home, wondering if this was it.

The fifth-grader from Miami (Ohio) suffered a horrific injury against Toledo on October 21, 2023, breaking the tibia and fibula in his right leg.

“The cruelest thing I’ve ever been a part of,” RedHawks coach Chuck Martin recalled.

Martin tried to comfort his veteran quarterback as trainers and medical staff surrounded him. The scene was surreal. Gabbert was in pain.

“I remember lying on the field,” he said. “I was like, ‘Damn, am I really going to go out like this?'”

Gabbert didn’t want his story to end like this. He had already come back from a broken left collarbone and a severe ankle sprain. After a short time in the transfer portal, he returned to Miami to properly finish his career.

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That wasn’t it. So Gabbert decided to give it a try. Another comeback. One final season of college football.






Miami (Ohio) quarterback Brett Gabbert attempts to throw a pass during the first half against Notre Dame on September 21, 2024 in South Bend, Indiana. Gabbert was back on the field less than a year after breaking his leg against Toledo.


Michael Caterina, Associated Press


Despite the pain and frustration – physical and psychological hurdles – Gabbert made it to the other side. He has started all 13 games for the RedHawks this season and is about to play his 14th game when Miami takes on Colorado State in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl on Saturday.

As he practiced with his teammates at Arizona Stadium on Thursday morning — throwing passes all over the court — Gabbert wore a long white sleeve on his right leg. It was the only sign of the trauma he had suffered.

“Like a war film”

Miami trailed Toledo 21-10 late in the third quarter, but the RedHawks were at the door. They faced a second-and-goal from the 2-yard line. The call was a QB run.

“I’m facing D-lineman, a bunch of big guys, O-line. “It’s a big pileup,” Gabbert said. “My leg got caught and I was bent backwards. Unfortunately I broke my tibia and fibula.”

Toledo defensive tackle Judge Culpepper, listed at 6-4, 293 pounds, was credited for the tackle. Gabbert is listed at 6 feet, 210.






Teammates show their support for Miami (Ohio) QB Brett Gabbert, who underwent surgery to repair a broken leg on Oct. 21, 2023, against Toledo.


Courtesy of Miami Athletics


It was an unusually serious injury. Think of Joe Theismann. Or Alex Smith. They only show this type of injury once on TV. The kind that can end a career.

“I sat there on the field trying not to look at it while holding his hand,” Martin said. “He screamed. It was like a war movie.”

At that moment, Gabbert was ready to walk away – at least metaphorically. No one, including his coach, would have blamed him if he had.

“‘I’m done. “I can’t do this anymore,” Martin recalled Gabbert saying as his leg was cleaned, fixed and treated with the aerial technique. “I’m like, ‘I’m with you, bro.'”

When healthy, Gabbert was Miami’s starter since 2019. This year, the younger brother of longtime NFL quarterback Blaine Gabbert became the first true freshman in program history to start a season-opening quarterback. He was named MAC Freshman of the Year.






Miami (Ohio) quarterback Blaine Gabbert gives a thumbs up after undergoing successful surgery to repair a broken right leg on October 21, 2023 against Toledo.


Courtesy of Miami Athletics


Because the 2020 pandemic season didn’t count and he only appeared in four games in 2022 (collarbone, ankle), Brett Gabbert had another year of eligibility. But over the next few weeks he no longer felt it.

“I was bedridden for probably three weeks,” Gabbert said. “I couldn’t move my leg. I’m sitting in a wheelchair. …I didn’t even use crutches. I was pretty helpless. I couldn’t do anything alone. That was probably the hardest part.”

Gabbert had all but come to the conclusion that his time as a football player was over. Then “someone special” sent him an inspiring text message. He declined to say who it was. But the news “changed my perspective on the whole thing.”

“I thought, ‘You know what? “I’ll regret it for the rest of my life if I don’t at least try to come back from it. “So that’s what I did,” Gabbert said. “I gave everything I had – knowing that I might give everything I had and it might not be enough.”

Rehab is no fun. It will test your patience and determination.






Miami (Ohio) quarterback Brett Gabbert (5) prepares for the snap during the first half against Miami (Florida) on September 1, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida.


Wilfredo Lee, Associated Press


“We had to take it step by step,” said Gabbert. “There had to be small victories. It was like, ‘Okay, you can still bend your knee 10 degrees.’ For me, that was a big win.”

Gabbert repeatedly acknowledged everyone who helped him along the way, from first responders to doctors to physical therapists to trainers. He needed her encouragement at a time when it was so easy to feel discouraged. He really couldn’t have done it without her.

“They did everything perfectly,” Gabbert said. “They got me to where I am today.”

From rusty to scorching hot

Gabbert missed most of the offseason. He was cleared to play in the Aug. 31 opener at Northwestern. But he still had another mental obstacle to overcome: taking a hit.

“It’s in the back of my mind,” Gabbert said. “You hadn’t taken a punch in a long time, and the last one you hit broke your leg in half.”

Luckily, football is fast and furious. Once you’re on the field, there’s so much else to think about – especially for a quarterback. Gabbert survived.






Miami (Ohio) quarterback Brett Gabbert, left, carries the ball against Cincinnati on September 16, 2023 in Cincinnati.


Emilee Chinn, Associated Press


But he wasn’t at full capacity after missing so much time. Through the first five games, Gabbert completed just 55.1% of his passes with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 5-7. The RedHawks were 1-4.

Then Gabbert got hot – and so did Miami. The RedHawks won their final seven games of the regular season. Over that span, Gabbert posted a 60.9% completion rate with 16 touchdowns and three picks.

Gabbert finished the season with a career-best 2,737 yards. He was named first-team All-MAC. He ranks in the top three in school history in passing yards, passing touchdowns and total offense.

But one achievement towers above all others.

“Everyone in Miami was especially happy that Brett Gabbert made it through 14 games,” Martin said.

“It means everything”

Why were RedHawks supporters so excited about Gabbert? Because loyalty is a two-way street.

Gabbert could have left Miami for a bigger school after his breakout season in 2021 (2,648 passing yards, 26-6 TD-INT). He could have left after the injury-shortened 1922 season. If you’re a Group of Five player with talent, performance and aptitude, that’s what you do these days.






Miami (Ohio) quarterback Brett Gabbert (5) looks to throw against Cincinnati on September 16, 2023 in Cincinnati.


Jeff Dean, Associated Press


In fact, Gabbert entered the portal after season 22. He had only played in four games that year. He had suffered two serious injuries.

“Nothing was really going right for me and I was just frustrated,” he said. “I was mad at the world. I was just mad.

“I made a spontaneous decision – something I regretted.”

Gabbert quickly realized he had made a “stupid” decision. Why?

“There are 130 teams in FBS football,” he said. “So I’m one of 130 people in the world who get to play on the starting lineup of a college football team.”

At another school, Gabbert would not have had such guarantees. There’s something to be said for appreciating what you have where you are.

“Yeah, exactly,” Gabbert said. “I took what I had for granted and… I realized that very quickly.”

Gabbert moved away from the portal. He returned to Miami – he never actually left – with a new sense of purpose:






Miami (Ohio) quarterback Brett Gabbert reacts after throwing a touchdown pass against Cincinnati on September 16, 2023 in Cincinnati.


Jeff Dean, Associated Press


“I want to be here. I chose Miami. I want to stay here. I want to live up to this obligation.”

Now Gabbert has another opportunity to wear the red and white with his teammates. A little over a year ago, this opportunity was not promised.

“It means everything,” Gabbert said. “I can barely wait for it.”

Contact sports reporter/columnist Michael Lev at [email protected]. On X (Twitter): @michaeljlev. On Bluesky: @michaeljlev.bsky.social

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