Dane Roy: “Even Coach Applewhite joked I was point-shaving… that cut pretty deep.”

Former University of Houston punter, Dane Roy, opens up about one of the toughest weeks he had to face over the course of his 4-year career with the Cougars.

It was November, 2017, and Roy had just received news that made him question his entire world and whether his sacrifices were worth it.

His mother was just about to start chemotherapy in Melbourne, Australia, and he was on the other side of the planet, in Houston, Texas.

For the most part, alone – and with little by the way of emotional support – Roy was forced to ‘compartmentalise’ his private life from his football life.

But it’s not always that simple.

“I shanked a few punts… I couldn’t stop thinking about Mum.”

“Even Coach Applewhite joked I was ‘point-shaving’ – if you don’t know what that is, it’s an American term for ‘match-fixing’ – that cut pretty deep.”

Roy goes on to share some insight about his commitment to finishing his degree, to the University of Houston, and completing what he set out to achieve, despite wanting to be home with his family and dealing with a long-term, long-distance relationship.

Listen to the emotional discussion on the latest episode (Episode 4: Christmas in Hawaii) of “Taking A Punt: The Dane Roy Story” on Spotify, iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This episode features special comments and guest appearances from ESPN Australia columnist, Steve Smith, as well as former University of Houston Athletics Director of Communications and Digital Media – now Vice President Football Communications, Atlanta Falcons – David Bassity, and focuses on the 2017 Cougar Football season, culminating in an appearance at the Hawaii Bowl.