WINNIPEG — Robert Marve has overcome a serious car accident, three torn knee ligaments and more than a year on the sidelines waiting for his first pro football start.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers third-string quarterback will get the chance to be the No. 1 guy Friday when the injury-riddled Bombers (3-4) host the Toronto Argonauts (4-2).
Head coach Mike O’Shea confirmed after a storm-shortened practice Wednesday he’s giving the start to Marve over backup Brian Brohm as the team prepares to cope without injured starter Drew Willy for at least six to eight weeks.
"I’m happy," Marve, 26, said. "There was a day that a doctor told me I wasn’t playing ball no more, so to be here to play, to have to interview again, all this is kind of surreal a little bit."
Marve was signed by the Bombers in March 2014 and is known for his upbeat nature and ability to scramble. Usually used in short-yardage situations, he’s completed four of seven pass attempts this season for 49 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
Describing himself as "energy guy," the Tampa, Fla., native didn’t always have a lot to be happy about in his football journey.
He set state records as a senior at Henry B. Plant High School in Tampa and was about to attend the University of Miami when he was involved in a summer car accident.
His friend fell asleep while driving and the car rolled over, breaking Marve’s wrist of his non-throwing arm. The driver broke a neck vertebrae (he had to wear a brace for a while) and another passenger had minor injuries.
Marve sat out his freshman year, but played in 2008. He then transferred to Purdue University, but tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a summer practice. It didn’t affect playing time as he had to sit out the season anyway because of transfer rules.
After four games in 2010, he tore the same ACL again. Granted an extra year of eligibility for 2012, he tore the knee for a third time, but continued playing with the injury.
Surgeons gave him a new ACL by using patella tendons from the same knee, he said, adding there are no problems now.
"I feel like God kind of puts you in situations you can control so that’s how I feel now," Marve said. "I’m happy.
"My dad’s birthday is on Friday so we got him here ASAP. I feel blessed. Everyone learns. We all have our stories so that’s my story."
His father, Eugene, was a linebacker in the NFL from 1982-92 with Buffalo, Tampa Bay and San Diego.
Marve is going to lead a Bombers’ offence that took a triple hit in last Sunday’s 38-8 loss to Hamilton.
Willy suffered a tibial plateau fracture and a partial posterior cruciate ligament tear in his right knee when Erik Harris hit him.
Bombers starting running back Paris Cotton broke an arm and requires surgery, while leading receiver Darvin Adams is out for at least a few weeks with an undisclosed upper-body injury.
O’Shea said he decided to start Marve because of his skill set, which could work well against the Argonauts.
"Robert is going to run the offence how he’s going to run it," O’Shea said.
"There is going to be an element of creativity there. It’s not going to look exactly the same, but I’m sure he’s going to run it well and I’m sure it’s going to have Robert Marve’s stamp on it."
