Spokane Empire RB Trevor Kennedy’s determination leads to speedy recovery

The feeling associated with the first day of practice feels sweet for a lot of athletes.

Based on past circumstances, it felt sweeter on the team’s first practice of the season Tuesday for Spokane Empire offensive specialist Trevor Kennedy.

Kennedy, in his second year with the Spokane Empire, broke his right fibula on June 4, cutting a prolific season short. He missed the last three games of the regular season and the playoffs, but not before posting 973 yards rushing and receiving and 39 touchdowns in 13 games. The Mercyhurst (Pennsylvania) University product was named the Indoor Football League’s Offensive Player of the Year.

Two surgeries, followed by rigorous physical therapy and muscle strengthening and Kennedy feels ready to return to the field.

“It was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in my life,” Kennedy said of the recovery process. “It was a slow process. I’m going through it, getting my confidence back so I can do the things I need to do on the field.”

The Empire struggled during the final stretch of the season without Kennedy, finishing 1-2 in their last three regular-season games with him. Spokane made it to the United Bowl Championship but was drubbed 55-34 by Sioux Falls, the 10-time league champions.

“It was an adjustment period,” Empire starting quarterback Charles Dowdell said. “Guys had to step into places they weren’t used to playing, so we were a little off rhythm.”

Watching from the sideline was difficult for Kennedy, motivating him to come back stronger for 2017.

His dedication in returning to full strength by the start of the season did not surprise head coach Adam Shackleford.

“He’s worked as hard as anyone I’ve ever seen who’s had an injury,” Shackleford said. “And it doesn’t surprise me when you get to know a young man like that.”

Kennedy, an Akron, Ohio, native, did not return home during the offseason because he and his family decided it was best for him to “stick to business.”

“I had a lot of work to do and not a lot of time to do it,” Kennedy said.

Shackleford said he’s limiting Kennedy’s repetitions in training camp to ensure he’s 100 percent for the Empire’s Indoor Football League season opener on Feb. 23 at the Arena.

It will also give Kennedy time to readjust to the movements needed on the football field.

“It’s very uncomfortable,” Kennedy said. “A lot of the movements are new because I haven’t done them in so long. The weather doesn’t help. It’s very stiff. It takes a very long time to warm up.”

Thankfully for the Empire, the weapons around Kennedy don’t force him to rush and be the star right away.

The Empire return three of its top four receivers from last year in Carl Sims (71 catches, 822 yards, 20 touchdowns) – still on injured reserve with a wrist injury, Charles Samuel (37-426-12) and Kennedy (35-273-9).

Running back/wide receiver Rob Brown and wide receiver Dejuan Miller also join the team from Tri-Cities, both of whom Shackleford expects to pick the offense up quickly.

Brown, the twin brother of Empire defensive back Robert Brown, was in training camp with the Empire before landing with the Fever and leading the team in all-purpose yards with 1,273. Miller, who was coached by Shackleford in Tri-Cities from 2013-2015, was second on the team in receiving yards (657) and receptions (53) last season.

The team also added Lamont Bryant (6-foot-6, 230 pounds), after NFL stints with the Carolina Panthers (2012-2013) and Tennessee Titans (2014).

Miller and Bryant are each taller than 6-5, allowing the offense more downfield capabilities.

It also makes it easier on Dowdell, the starter from last season returning for a second year.

“My (throws) don’t have to be as perfect with guys with a bigger catch radius,” Dowdell said. “I can put the ball in certain situations where I couldn’t really put it last year with smaller guys.”

The presence of those players don’t discount Kennedy’s importance. The team expects to rely on him for explosive plays out of the backfield this coming season.

“It means a lot to have a playmaker who can take a play 50 yards anytime,” Dowdell said. “To have that type of player on your offense makes your offense that more dynamic.”

Two of Spokane’s top receivers from last year, however, will not return.

J.J. Hayes, who was second on the team in catches (62) and yards (685), is pursuing a career in a law enforcement and will not report to training camp, despite being currently listed on the team’s roster.

Justin Helwedge, fifth on the team with 23 catches and 249 yards, is not returning because of injuries.