Badgers' Dayne To Return
Wisconsin running back Ron Dayne sees his return for his senior year as a shot at the Heisman Trophy.
For the uncle who raised Dayne, it means ensuring his nephew of something just as important -- his college diploma.
"It was our hope he'd stay another year and graduate," Dayne's uncle and guardian Robbie Reid said Tuesday. "We sent Ron there to get a degree."
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If Dayne left college this year to make himself eligible for the NFL draft, he would bypass completing his college degree in business. But if Dayne graduates and pursues an NFL career, "he'd have the best of both worlds," said Reid, who encouraged Dayne to stay.
Dayne, whose phone number was unavailable, could not be reached by The Associated Press.
Reid, a part-time pastor and a senior social worker at a juvenile detention center, and his wife Deborah, an insurance claims adjuster, are Dayne's guardians. The Blackwood, N.J., couple has cared for Dayne since he was 12.
Reid said playing for the Badgers his senior year will increase his chance for winning the Heisman and make him more attractive to professional teams. Reid pointed out that most of the team, after playing UCLA in the Rose Bowl Jan. 1, will be returning next season as well.
Dayne is within reach of the Big Ten record held by Archie Griffin of Ohio State at 5,589 yards and the NCAA Division I record held by Ricky Williams of Texas at 6,279 yards.
Dayne has 4,945 yards, making him Wisconsin's career leading rusher. As a freshman, Dayne finished fourth in the nation in rushing in 1996.
"Some incredible things happened his freshman year that pushed some other buttons," Reid said of Dayne's interest in the NFL.
In a poster for the Dane County Humane Society, Dayne appeared in his football uniform surrounded by Great Danes. The poster is titled "Wisonsin's Great Dayne."
But injuries sidelined the "Great Dayne" during part of his sophomore season. The injuries were a "godsend" because they forced the rising football star to reassess his values, Reid said.
"Great Dayne, dogs and pictures - he was miffed he didn't do as well for the school and win the Heisman," Reid said. "He came down to earth and understood how things may not go the way you think they should go."
Without that time to reflect, Dayne probably would have abandoned his education and left school this year, Reid said.
"We were able to show him both sides of the coin," Reid said.
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