It's been a tough couple of weeks for Jeff Butorac, with close friend and fellow Rochester John Marshall 2003 graduate Mike Sherels hospitalized with an undisclosed condition in the Twin Cities.
Butorac would not speak to what is ailing Sherels.
What he did offer was optimism. Most of that was rooted in knowing the toughness and determination of the former University of Minnesota standout football player and current Gophers assistant coach. Sherels was hired as linebackers coach in 2014.
"If anyone is going to fight, it's this guy," said Butorac, who is in his first year as the Rochester Century boys basketball coach.
Butorac has been up to the Twin Cities hospital to check on the 31-year-old Sherels, who is married and has two young children.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Mike is the kind of guy who never wants anyone feeling sorry for themselves," Butorac said. "He wants you to get up and go. I know that's what he is also doing with himself.
"He will fight. He is so competitive and tough."
Butorac says it's difficult to admit that Sherels is in a tough spot. He's not used to seeing his friend — who played linebacker for the Gophers from 2003-07 — in a compromised position.
But he also knows that nothing is certain when it comes to his recovery.
"It is one of those things where you are in denial, because Mike has always been that tough guy, the one you looked to for strength," Butorac said. "But at the same time, it is the real world. I'm just trying to stay in touch with the family, and trying to be there as best I can."
• Mike Sherels' younger brother Marcus, also a former Gophers football standout and in his seventh year with the Minnesota Vikings, missed his team's game Friday in Cincinnati due to Mike's condition. Marcus did participate in the Vikings' practice on Sunday, however.
