As a defensive end, he is a fierce and relentless hunter of quarterbacks, amassing 11 sacks in the past two years. Yet he can often be found in study hall reading the Bible or, after games, kneeling in prayer with teammates and opponents.

His fast-and-furious game is modeled after his father's — Cliff Laboy was a UH defensive lineman in the 1970s — yet he chooses to spell his last name differently.

"My dad uses a small 'B' but I use a big 'B' because it looks better when you sign stuff and write your name," LaBoy said.

Although he comes across as aloof and distant, LaBoy devotes hours to working with autistic children. After home games, he will smuggle used items from the locker room and give them to fans.

TRAVIS LABOY

LaBoy's injuries have frustrated coaches and teammates. Before a game in 2001, UH coach June Jones baited LaBoy, who was suffering from a sprained ankle and shoulder, to "suck it up."

Yesterday, LaBoy was used sparingly in contact drills because of a groin injury. But when he played, he played magnificently, zipping past whip-lashed blockers. The whispered question was: To play that effectively, how hurt can he be?

"The injuries are legitimate," said Vantz Singletary, who coaches the defensive linemen.

To work through the injuries, Singletary said, is not easy.

"He's had a lot of negative things," Singletary said. "People say Travis doesn't want to be here. ... But he does. People don't understand."

Angela Curley said her son has endured barbs from those wondering if he is "a spoiled brat" who "should be practicing. They don't know."

That is mostly because LaBoy does not speak of his medical history. When he was 10, he refused to wear protective boots to alleviate the pain in his Achilles' heels caused by a growth spurt. Finally, the doctors placed both ankles in a hard cast — only to learn that LaBoy still tried to run, going clunk-clunk-clunk in neighborhood games.

As a sophomore in high school, LaBoy suffered a dislocated left shoulder that was not surgically corrected until the summer of 2001. Before spring practice in 2002, the moped LaBoy was riding was broad-sided by a truck. He aggravated the left shoulder, and suffered torn ligaments in his right wrist and internal bleeding.

For nearly a year, he has suffered from osteitis pubis, a stress injury to the pubic bone in front of the pelvis. The ailment makes it painful to run. Complete rest is the preferred treatment; LaBoy is at practice every day.

Of the pain, LaBoy will only say, "It's part of the game."

As to his injuries, he said: "I don't feel cursed. I feel blessed even to be able to walk. Some people don't even have that. I deal with what I get. I work day by day. I can't think too far ahead."

Singletary said if LaBoy is healthy, he will earn an NFL paycheck. This summer, Singletary was an intern with the San Diego Chargers.

"I can guarantee the Chargers don't have a defensive end who can put Travis on the bench," Singletary said. "He's a freak, a Sunday player. He can run, he can drop zone. He's just phenomenal. When I watch him, I freeze, because I can't believe I saw him do a certain move."

LaBoy, who is aligned wide of an opposing left tackle, can reach a scrambling quarterback in less than 2.5 seconds.

"When he's on," Singletary said, "there's no question he's one of the elite defensive ends in America. When he's on, he's an NFL player."

Singletary said he speaks frequently with Curley, and has regular meetings with LaBoy.

"It's not like I want to treat him differently, it's just that everyone is not the same," Singletary said. "I want him to know I appreciate him.

"He's a likeable guy, a great guy," Singletary added. "I've never seen him swear. He doesn't drink or smoke. He's grounded. But he's had those injuries, and they are legitimate, and that makes it difficult for him. ... That's why when I see him out there, even when he's hurt, I tell him I love him and appreciate him. I always tell him, 'Way to go. Your teammates appreciate seeing you work so hard.'"