Look: USC Football’s Andrew Vorhees Goes Viral for Heroic Bench Press at NFL Combine with Torn ACL

By: Keely Eure, Director of Creative Content and Team Reporter

Football | March 07, 2023

If you were looking for a Trojan who truly embraces the motto “Fight On,” look no further than USC offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees. While in the middle of a shuttle drill at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis on Sunday, the 6’6, 325-pound big man collapsed in pain appearing to suffer a serious injury. Reports later confirmed that Vorhees had suffered a complete ACL tear on his right knee. 

Instead of calling it quits on his combine experience, the offensive lineman returned the next day, crutches and all, to complete his bench press drill. Not only did Vorhees successfully bench with one healthy knee, he completed the most reps out of this year’s combine with 38.

Support and encouragement instantly poured in for Vorhees from Trojan coaches and fans alike, but the lineman’s efforts quickly went beyond a USC audience. From JJ Watt to Mike Golic Jr, — Vorhees’ 38 reps went viral and took the internet by storm. 

Check out some of the best responses:

 

You either run from things or face them. https://t.co/KzEd5s7zMG

— Andrew Vorhees (@Andrew_Vorhees) March 7, 2023

smoking 38 reps without being able to plant one of your legs after everything he’d been through that day is SAVAGE. nothing but respect and wishing him a speedy recovery. https://t.co/I0EJbxXPbZ

— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) March 7, 2023

Complete warrior…played hurt the entire 2nd half of the season when most would have shut it…