Pitt Panthers Big Gunn is BACK!!!

Adam Gunn has his post-football plan mapped out.

He's on track to earn his master's in public administration this December and is already working to start his own charitable foundation for underprivileged children. He envisions a Make-A-Wish type organization where kids who show promise and responsibility get to live out their sports dreams, which will hopefully in turn inspire their peers to pursue the right paths.

"I hope it turns into something national," Gunn said. "I'm in a position in my life now where I can impact lives, and I want to take advantage of that."

Gunn nearly was forced to begin his life after athletics early. The Pittsburgh linebacker suffered a broken neck in a freak collision with teammate Scott McKillop in the first game of his senior season last fall. He missed the entire year and, since he had already used a redshirt year, figured his playing days were over.

But in March, Gunn was granted a rare sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA. Though he won't be cleared medically for full tackling drills until July, Gunn went through most of spring practice for the Panthers while playing middle linebacker. He will go into the summer as the starter at the spot where McKillop won defensive player of the year honors in 2008.

"That's the one position where I think leadership and experience probably has more of an influence than playing on the outside," head coach Dave Wannstedt said about moving Gunn from strongside linebacker to the middle. "He's handling it extremely well."

Gunn said he was a little nervous the first couple of practices this spring, but then he resumed playing like normal. Perhaps it helps that he has no memory of the helmet-to-helmet collision with McKillop as both went to level a hit on a Bowling Green receiver. Gunn was rendered unconscious on the play and said he has only watched it once on tape.

"I'm kind of trying to forget about it," he said. "I don't want to be out on the football field and maybe have a flashback right when I'm going to make a tackle."

Doctors initially didn't think Gunn had incurred serious damage, but later X-rays showed that he had a broken neck. He underwent surgery to fuse the fourth and fifth vertebrae of his cervical spine with a titanium plate, held in place by four screws.

Gunn's older brother, Sanford, suffered the same injury during his senior season at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and was temporarily paralyzed for several days. He did not play football again.

"I couldn't believe it happened a second time," said Gunn's mother, Dona Wingo. "We found out that it's a hereditary problem."

Gunn said he has been reassured by doctors that there is no risk of further damage by playing. He's been told that his spine is actually stronger now than it was because the two vertebrae are fused into one. Other than the protective collar he's always worn, he's not going to do anything differently to try and prevent another injury.

This is a true man that loves the game of football and has a great look on life and wants to make get things happen for other children and people too. It is very touching to see guys like this in our world and also as a football player in the sports community.