Derrius Guice’s redemption song ended before he could complete the first verse. After a head-scratching draft process that initially projected Guice as a Top 3 back and a first rounder, he was the seventh back taken and lasted until pick 59 to the Washington Redskins on NFL draft night.
Guice took the setback with stride and appeared to be the frontrunner to lead the Washington Redskins starting backfield.
Chad Ryan on Twitter
This Derrius Guice (@DhaSickest) was a microcosm of what he brings to the #Redskins. Started with a smooth cutback. Then the dirty spin move. Followed by the nasty stiff-arm. Wow. https://t.co/Iy3ON2nMo4
With all of the drama surrounding Guise and the way he became a victim of the character issues drone that seems to blow up the hopes of at least one high draft hopeful each season, the former LSU star was as motivated as any player in this draft to have a strong rookie season and prove to the NFL that they made a mistake.
On Friday afternoon, the Washington Redskins announced that Guise suffered a season-ending injury. Guice tore his ACL during the teams first preseason game against the New England Patriots.
Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Source: #Redskins RB Derrius Guice tore his ACL.
Guice was getting busy before he exited with the injury which will knock him out for the entire 2018 season. Guice was at the center of draft controversy when during the combine he said that several teams asked him if he was gay and if his mother was a prostitute. Guises accusations sent shock waves through the NFL and reinvigorated criticisms about the combine being intrusive and to some extent biased towards African-Americans.
The accusations were bad enough, but then the entire situation went left when the NFL investigated and found no evidence of those conversations ever taking place. The situation got more bizarre when Guice said he couldnt remember who asked him the questions and ended up looking like he lied for free. His inability to confirm his statement drew a red flag from NFL teams he plummeted down the draft board because of it.
Guise was forced to defend his character and his reputation.
Everybody is saying I have character issues, Guice told reporters back in April. Im a hothead. Problems off the field. Theres been no record of any problems. Never been in trouble with the law. Never been suspended or anything. Im great in the community; I saved a womans life the other week. Always interacting with fans.
All of that is irrelevant at this point, as its been reported that Guises ACL tear is most likely the result of a pre-existing knee condition that he never addressed and his career could be in some jeopardy before it ever gets started.
Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Complicating matters for #Redskins RB Derrius Guice: He suffered a hyperextended knee at LSU but never got surgery. Same knee. Tough to know if that played a part in the ACL tear, but it’s a question being asked now as Guice is set to miss the 2018 season.
Guises NFL journey might end up being one of the quickest pro careers in history and if not, then its already one of the weirdest.
