Eric Lacy / The Detroit News
EAST LANSING -- For the 90th time in school history, Michigan State has a consensus All-American.
Javon Ringer was named to the Associated Press All-America first team Tuesday, less than a week after he earned the title of Walter Camp All-American in Orlando, Fla., the site of the Spartans' Capital One Bowl game against Georgia.
The senior captain from Dayton, Ohio, accounted for 96 percent of his team's rushing yards this season (1,590 of 1,661), led the nation with 370 carries (of his team's 477) and is proud to be still standing relatively unscathed from the most significant workload of his life.
"By playing for Michigan State, I've been fortunate enough to have an opportunity to perform on a national stage," Ringer said in a statement released Tuesday night by the school. "In this offensive system, I've been asked to play an important role and that's certainly not something that I've shied away from.
"I've taken my share of hard hits, but I've been fortunate to play the entire season with just some bumps and bruises."
Ringer is the first MSU player since receiver Charles Rogers in 2002 to be named All-America at an offensive or defensive position.
Brandon Fields, a punter, was the school's last All-American in 2004, followed by kick returner DeAndra Cobb a year earlier.
When informed Tuesday night by The Detroit News of Ringer's accomplishment, mentor Lorenzo White, a two-time All-America tailback for the Spartans, gushed with pride about his prized pupil.
"Everybody knows what kind of work he put in this year," White said. "It shows his durability and qualities that will make pro scouts look at him and say, 'He's tough, a team player and among the top at his position.' "
The two running backs talk often and share stories about the demands often placed on the job.
Regular season practices typically gave Ringer enough work, but not to the point of exhaustion. Bowl practices, however, at least the seven since Tuesday have been a different animal, Ringer said.
"I've done a lot," said Ringer, who mentioned 50 and 60-yard sprints in recent sessions . "I want to hit, I like hitting."
"I don't want to go the whole month without being tackled and then get hit for the first time against Georgia."
Durability is one of Ringer's strongest qualities.
Trainer Jeff Monroe told The Detroit News last month that Ringer responds well from basic treatment. Enhanced pharmaceuticals like anti-inflammatory medicine haven't been needed because Ringer deals with pain so well.
Ringer overcame several unexpected health issues this season, including a stomach virus that caused him to lose at least 10 pounds before a Nov. 1 game against Wisconsin.
Against the Badgers, ailing from the condition, he accounted for 64 all-purpose yards to become the school's career leader in the category.
On Oct. 25, Ringer overcame what was initially thought of as a severe hamstring injury in practice to blast Michigan for 197 yards and two scores.
Team officials said after the 35-21 win in Ann Arbor that Ringer could barely walk off the field when he injured the hamstring two days before the game.
Coach Mark Dantonio has repeatedly called Ringer a "true Spartan warrior" willing to make any kind of sacrifice for the team's benefit.
Ringer has tried to set such an example all season and brought his entire offensive line with him to a postgame news conference after a 23-7 win over Notre Dame on Sept. 20.
"Since arriving at Michigan State, my focus has been on becoming a complete back; someone willing to do whatever it takes to win," Ringer said.
Ringer's mother, Darlene Ringer, said she still is amazed at her son's ability to take a pounding and keep going.
She never questioned Dantonio and his staff's decision to have such a persistent running focused on her pride and joy.
"Javon would tell me he was sore, he's not inhuman, but he never wanted to be too vocal about it," Darlene said. "I would tell him, 'If you're tired, tell the coaches.' But I knew then and still know now that would never happen."
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