Former Nebraska running back pivots to new career in National Guard

Terrell Newby rushed for more than 2,000 yards and scored 22 touchdowns during his career as a running back at Nebraska. He tried to make a career out of football, getting opportunities in the NFL, playing for a short while in the fledgling Alliance of American Football and working out for XFL teams.

But he realized his options were limited once the XFL bypassed him in its draft last fall.

“I had to make a decision," Newby told the Omaha World-Herald. "If I don’t get picked up, what do I really want to do?”

Fortunately, he had another passion he hadn't yet pursued: to be part of an Army airborne unit. 

He didn't have to look far for inspiration. His father, Terrell Sr., served in the Army.

“He instilled these Army values in me,” Newby said. “I always wanted to do it, but playing football my whole life was my main focus.”

So Newby ditched a football uniform for a military one and signed up for the Nebraska National Guard. He'll be off to Fort Benning, Georgia, in July for 10 weeks of basic training, followed by 12 weeks of infantry training and three weeks of airborne training. 

After playing an important role in the Nebraska ground game in college, he's now looking forward to reaching even greater heights through the air.