Bad luck leads to good opportunity for local player

It’s an old saw, how no good deed goes unpunished.

But you can’t tell that to Bobby Businelle.

The 18-year-old’s determination to overcome adversity by giving to others has paid off in a big way. Seemingly robbed of the chance to play college football, Bobby is getting a chance to attend his school of choice and wear their uniform. Because he took a chance on himself they are willing to take a chance on him.

“I love football more than anything else,” the 5-foot, 10-inch, 199-pound linebacker and defensive back said in an interview last week.

Bobby’s spirit made an impression on Coach Kyle Lasseigne from the time he was in middle school.

“My most vivid memory of him was being in eighth grade, moving up to the ninth grade,” Lasseigne said. “We were in spring football and he was there for a day, He told me can I possibly get some pads? I want to come out and practice against these guys. For an eighth grader to say that, I have never had a kid so willing to compete, against players three and four years older, but he was willing to go. From there I knew his future was bright.”

When Bobby finally joined the team he made an impression on the field. But he didn’t get much of a chance to show what he could really do.

In his junior year, during the first play of fall scrimmage, Bobby fell victim to a torn ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament.

He sat out the rest of the year, struggling through medical rehabilitation, but keeping his eyes on the prize.

So in senior year, he was back on the field, dreams soaring and future apparently in hand. Then came the second huge blow, another ACL early in the season, in September, during a game against Assumption High. Such a double tragedy, Lasseigne said, is something he’s not seen in 20 years of coaching.

Bobby was devastated.

Even though he was down, Bobby determined he would not be out. If he couldn’t play the game he loved, Bobby would help others to do so. While unable to play he was still considered a leader, and used his knowledge to help other players.

“I wanted to contribute any way that I could,” Bobby said, putting his actions where his words were.

“Bobby is a leader in the senior class so he has really helped out with our younger kids,” Lasseigne said. “Football-wise even though he was injured he was out there, helping kids and finding a way to help our team. He never really wanted to give up on it. For us as a team, it was good to have an extra coach out there.”

He had attended football camps, including the one at Northwestern University, the school he had hoped one day to play for.

Hoping against hope, Bobby continued working toward that goal.

“I went to Northwestern and sat down with the coaches,” said Bobby, who was also offered the opportunity to play at Nicholls State University.

Officials at Northwestern, impressed by Bobby’s early starts, his spirit and his leadership, decided to make an offer for him to attend. Though they will watch his injury closely, they are willing to allow him to play football on their team, once they know he is ready.

“They are allowing me to come in as a walk-on,” Bobby said.

For a college to do that, Lasseigne said, is rare. Schools only have so many slots, and filling this one with a twice-injured linebacker whose field time was cut so short is nearly unprecedented, coaches said. But Northwestern certainly appears willing to take the gamble.

Bobby gives credit for his ability to overcome to his parents and other family members whom he said have always supported him. His experience will likely pay off in later choices, as he moves towards a career in physical therapy. He says he recognizes, of course, that while football is his passion an education is his priority.

“We are very proud of him,” said Bobby’s step-dad, Michael Kliebert, a Nicholls State groundskeeper.

Bobby’s mom, Ella Kliebert, an attorney who works for Ochsner Medical Center. She recognizes that her son has a fear of being injured once again, but prayer and faith in himself, she is certain will win out.

“His motivation, his drive, I guess is learned by watching the people around him,” she said. “You can definitely say he is a team player at heart. Initially when he was injured his first thoughts were how this was going to affect the team. I would say the drive he has comes from the love he has for his team-mates and the love he has for his coaches, not wanting to let them down. He has been there for them on the field and off the field. Northwestern sees him as a leader already, they see he has that drive. What others have seen as an obstacle Bobby sees as an ability to open doors.”

E.D. White senior Bobby Businelle was sidelined from football by a torn ligament twice, effectively ending his high school sports career. But his college of choice, Northwestern University, has agreed to let him play once they are satisfied that he is fully healed.

COURTESY PHOTO