By John Raffel, NFLHS.com
When he first put on his football uniform in high school, Cory Schlesinger had the idea that he was going to take his gridiron career one year at a time.
And for the Detroit Lions fullback, who is coming off his 11th season, it's the one-year-at-a-time attitude that has meant a successful football life on a number of levels.
"It's definitely going well," Schlesinger said of his NFL career, all with the Lions. "I couldn't ask for more, especially when I get my opportunity to play. I need to toughen some people up and do what I enjoy doing."
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Photo by Al Bello
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By the time he got to the college level, Schlesinger could see that a pro career was possible.
During high school and college, "I played as hard as I could. If you work hard, you'll do well," he said. "At our high school, we had a solid football team."
When he advanced to the Lions, Schlesinger made the most of his opportunity.
"I prepared myself my rookie season and did what I was supposed to do and played hard," Schlesinger said.
Schlesinger was a two-time all-state pick at linebacker at Columbus High School in Duncan, Neb. He led his team in tackles as a junior and senior with 117 total. He also played fullback in his senior season in 1990, picking up 1,514 yards and 23 touchdowns. He had nine 100-yard games.
Schlesinger was named the Nebraska Defensive Player of the Year in his senior season. He was also on a Nebraska all-star team that played in the Down Under Bowl in Sydney, Australia after his senior season. Twice Schlesinger was a Nebraska state wrestling champion, too.
Schlesinger was a two-year starter at Nebraska and averaged 7.2 yards per year as a senior. He was the second of Detroit's two sixth-round draft picks in 1995 (192nd overall) and joined the Lions as a rookie in 1995.
He saw heavy action as lead blocker for Barry Sanders in short-yardage and goal-line situations. He took off from his rookie season and was selected to the 2003, 2004 and 2005 Pro Bowls as an alternate. He was chosen by his teammates as the Offensive MVP in 2003 and won the spirit award in 2002 and 2003. He is known especially for his bruising lead-blocking skills but has also been durable, missing only four games in his 10-year career.
The Lions fullback is working on his master's degree in vocational education at Nebraska and said that when his pro career is over, he'll go into the high school teaching and football coaching ranks.
Former Detroit coach Steve Mariucci said Schlesinger's longevity is hardly surprising.
"What is the average life span of a professional football player? Is it three, four years or something?" Mariucci asked. "Those are the lucky ones, because most do not make it at all. To play 11 years, in any sport, particularly football, and particularly his position, is outstanding.
Especially when you consider the bullish style of play that Schlesinger uses.
"His facemasks do not last that long," Mariucci continued. "He's been through a lot of them. He loves to play the game. ...He has some position flexibility because he is just not a fullback. He is such a valuable guy in the kicking game."
In a seven-year stint 1995 to 2001, Schlesinger had 118 special team tackles, the most of anyone on the team during that time.
Schlesinger said he has key advice for youngsters in the high school ranks who might have thoughts of a pro career.
"Don't worry about it," he said. "Most of them aren't going to make it to the NFL. You need to worry about the moment."
Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc.
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