Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew, known for his unique personality and passion for football, once took drastic and painful measures to extend his time on the college field.

In an episode of Barstool’s “Pardon My Take” podcast from 2019, Minshew shared a story about a risky plan he devised back in 2016 while at East Carolina University.

Facing limited opportunities as a third-string quarterback, Minshew wanted to ensure he could maximize his college eligibility.

But his plan to secure a medical redshirt-a move that would sideline him but preserve his eligibility-led to an attempt that involved both a hammer and a bottle of Jack Daniels.

After starting his college journey at Northwest Mississippi, Minshew transferred to East Carolina, where two senior quarterbacks were already ahead of him in the lineup.

With both players moving on, Minshew saw a chance to get his three years of eligibility if he could sit out for a medical redshirt.

When injuries created an opportunity for him to play, however, Minshew saw his redshirt year slipping away. He came up with a wild idea: he could self-inflict an injury severe enough to get the redshirt without a full season’s play.

Minshew’s hammer plan

Minshew recalls that night: “I went home, grabbed a bottle of Jack Daniels and a hammer, and gave it a try.”

He recounted how he put his hand on a table, took a swig of whiskey, and tried to break his hand with the hammer, describing the repeated attempts that only left him with a bruised, swollen hand.

After three rounds of hitting his hand, he realized he couldn’t go through with it.

Minshew admitted, “I knew it wasn’t broken. One more time, another pull, another three- and that was all I could take.”

Left with a swollen hand, he told coaches it was due to a car door accident, but it wasn’t enough to convince them.

The plan ultimately failed, and Minshew went on to play in seven games that season, including two starts.

Despite his hopes to sit out, he eventually embraced his role and became the team’s full-time starter the following year.

The experience, however, marked him as someone willing to go to extremes to pursue his passion for football.

After East Carolina, Minshew transferred to Washington State, where he flourished, eventually catching the attention of NFL scouts.

In 2019, he entered the NFL as a sixth-round draft pick for the Jacksonville Jaguars, launching a career that has since brought him to the Las Vegas Raiders.

In reflecting on the incident, Minshew laughed about his dedication, stating, “What would you do for more football? Cause I’d do damn near anything.”

His unusual attempt to gain more field time highlights his deep commitment to the game and his desire to maximize every moment of his career, even if it meant risking his hand in the process.