Back to the NCAA Newsfeed

Colorado's Derek McCartney balances grief with growth

BOULDER, Colo. — Bill McCartney glances at an old photograph of his grandson while he's talking, and he loses his original train of thought.

"He's got a world-class smile," the former Colorado football coach says suddenly. "We are going to feature that smile. I don't know how yet, but we will feature it."

His grandson, Derek, is a redshirt sophomore defensive end for the program that's synonymous with his last name. Derek's smile comes out frequently when he talks about football, his family, his faith and his dreams of becoming a doctor. It also disappears when he talks about the heartbreak he's endured.