By Gavin Lapaille

When Mike Donoghue felt tingling in his hands and feet after making a block against the University of Cincinnati, he didn’t think it was that serious.

“I just thought it was a stinger,” Donoghue said.

Unfortunately for Donoghue, he didn’t realize how wrong he was.

Donoghue, a former offensive lineman on the University of Louisville football team, was diagnosed with congenital spinal stenosis, making it too risky for him to ever play football again. Donoghue has since taken a job as a student assistant coach for U of L.

“It just all happened so fast I didn’t know what to think,” Donoghue said. “It is just now settling in.”

The injury was realized after Donoghue went to block a defensive back on a screen pass in the third quarter against University of Cincinnati. After staying in the following few plays, he went over to team doctors.

“Physically I was fine but obviously it was something they needed to check,” Donoghue said. “The next two days I was at the hospital and they ran a bunch of tests.”

Donoghue was sent to a specialist in Indianapolis who diagnosed that his spinal cord had tightened and there was no longer any fluid to protect the cord from further injury. The chance of paralysis was high if he was to continue playing football.

Despite the setback, Donoghue remains in good spirits. He was born with the condition and says he is lucky something did not occur before.

“That is the good thing about the injury,” Donoghue said. “Mine was pretty severe. It sucks not playing football but on the other hand I’m lucky that I’ve been playing sports this many years and nothing has happened.”

Now, Donoghue will turn his attention to coaching. Although he would rather be playing than on the sidelines, Donoghue believes his experience and how well he knows the offense will help him with the younger players on the team.

“Obviously I miss playing with everybody,” Donoghue said. “Right now I’m just trying to help the younger guys. I just want to be around all of my line buddies.”

Donoghue said everyone has been supportive of the move. Coaches, teammates and even Cardinal fans have sent him their condolences.

The hardest part, however, is no longer playing football.

“I love football,” Donoghue said. “I’ve been playing all my life.

“It was kind of hard to watch, kind of depressing.”

Donoghue had appeared in 13 games for U of L, including seven starts this season. He was put in the starting role after a career-ending injury to Marcel Benson during the pre-season.

Donoghue arrived at U of L as a four-star prospect after starting for three seasons at Covington Catholic High School. He was named first team All-State by both the Courier-Journal and the Lexington Herald-Leader after not allowing a sack in three seasons.

The sophomore finance major isn’t sure where he is going from here. Physically Donoghue feels fine as he tries not to worry about the past. He gets to keep his scholarship at U of L and just wants to concentrate on coaching.

“Hopefully [the injury] turns into a positive thing,” Donoghue said. “I’m just focused on the now.”