Staph did come back, but he severely injured his shoulder and was ruled medically unable to play. His junior season went by the boards, and again Staph was not invited to the teams next practice camp.
Perhaps being told once that he was unwanted would be enough, but certainly being told twice would seal the deal. After all, why continue on in the face of such adversity and hostility when quitting would be both painless and easy?
It boggles the mind, but Staph would not be denied. If he couldnt practice with the team, he would practice back home. And he credits his friends and family with motivating him.
It was a blessing to me to have friends like R.D. Kern, Chris Stakich and Grady Smalling on the team, Staph said. It was a lot easier to stick with it even when people told me I shouldnt.
Staph returned to Ohio and worked on drills with his father. The elder Staph understood his sons desire to return to play the game he loved for all of his life, and did what he could to help.
I would go through the same drills that the teams was going through in Cambridge, Staph said. In effect, we held our own little double sessions. He would throw me passes and help out on a variety of drills where he played a defensive man I would try to elude.
Staph returned for his fifth year at Harvard after taking off the previous spring. His only goal was to play Crimson football, and he made it known to Harvard Coach Tim Murphy. Murphy agreed to give him a shot in the preseason, and was impressed by what he saw.
No kid on this team has worked harder than [Staph], Murphy said. And as a fullback, well, sometimes you kinda forget about those guys.
Staph made full use of his chance to step up and make a name for himself. With the career-ending injury to feature back Matt Leiszler, Staph was given a legitimate shot to prove he deserved a starting job.
And, as a testament to his ability and fortitude, Staph won the starting tailback job. He would have one chance to show why he was even supposed to be in a Harvard uniform. He had one shot to show everyone who counted him out why he deserved to play. More importantly, he had only one shot to prove to his friends, family and loved ones why their support was warranted.
In true heroic and dramatic form, he needed only one shot.
Staph rushed for 152 yards on 28 carries and scored three touchdowns. He only had 14 carries and 71 yards in his entire career before Saturday. But more than his accomplishments on the field, it was the context of how he did what he did that was special.
His father and brother were watching in Harvard Stadium, much like how Rudys father and brother watched on in Notre Dame. Staphs teammates were cheering in and out of the huddle. The crowd and those of us in the press gallery were standing up and taking note.
No one on this team has ever doubted the ability and toughness of Josh Staph, said Harvards captain Ryan FitzGerald. We were all impressed, but not surprised.
Staph had done it. He finally made it after all of those years of turbulence and turmoil. He was a story waiting to be told.
The game on Saturday was a dream come true, Staph said. I have been ready and waiting for this opportunity for a while. I know now that deciding to stick with football was the best decision of my life.
And so, when all is said and done, Josh Staph wont be one of the all-time great backs for Harvard. He wont break any records or attract any NFL teams come draft day. Maybe Saturday will be his only day in the sun.
But its a day that all of us can bask in. The toughness of the human spirit and the resolve of strong individuals are uplifting, as we have seen recently in our country. Staph, in his own right, is a hero, and his courage should serve as an example for the rest of his team and for the rest of us.
And I have a feeling that despite the fitting and happy ending, Staphs story is far from over. He wouldnt have it any other way.