Lovie: 'Bobby Roundtree is family'

SAVOY — A little more than two weeks have passed since Illinois defensive end Bobby Roundtree suffered a severe spinal injury.

Talking about Roundtree on Monday morning to The News-Gazette, Illinois coach Lovie Smith said “it’s the toughest thing I’ve ever been through in sports."

“But that’s life,” Smith said. “Again, you meet it head on. We recruit on a lifetime relationship, through good times and tough times. Sometimes, you need to go through some of those tough times for people and for you to see exactly what you believe and what you stand for.

“Bobby Roundtree is family. I’m his coach, but it’s a lot more than that.”

The incident helps to emphasize what’s important.

“I definitely think…