COMMERCE CITY — Suspended midfielder Brian Mullan returned to practice with the Colorado Rapids this week, but he remains haunted by the tackle that injured Seattle midfielder Steve Zakuani.
Mullan said memories of the reckless tackle that broke the tibia and fibula of Zakuani’s right leg come back to him “throughout the day,” and he finds it difficult to scrimmage with his teammates because he is afraid of hurting someone.
“Just being back … anything can happen, I guess,” Mullan said Tuesday, explaining his apprehension. “It’s going to be hard to get back into it, get back into tackles and stuff.”
Mullan, who is serving a 10-game suspension, is reluctant to comment and refused at first. He conceded he isn’t coping very well, and that he has leaned on family and friends for support.
“I owe a lot of it to my wife and friends and players around the league,” said Mullan, an 11-year MLS veteran and graduate of Regis Jesuit High School.
Mullan finds himself pulling out of tackles in practice with his Rapids teammates, who play at Houston Wednesday. Rapids coach Gary Smith said Mullan has suffered some “mental injuries” because of the situation.
“He’s a very, very respectful and conscientious guy, and the incident has taken a lot out of him mentally,” Smith said. “To have him back in the group and around everyone is a real big boost for the guys and for him.”
The night of the accident, Mullan said, “It’s a tackle that I’ve done hundreds of times and I’d probably do it again.”
That remark was misinterpreted by some as a lack of remorse.
“I didn’t know the extent of the injury until after I left the stadium,” Mullan said Tuesday, his voice heavy with emotion. “I mean, would I do it again? I can’t say that now.”
John Meyer: 303-954-1616 or jmeyer@denverpost.com
