FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (November 10, 2021) – While one journey, which began with his arrival to Northern Arizona University in the spring of 2017, nears its end for senior
DJ Arnson, another is simply moving on to the next step as it was always intended.
Arnson, who initially arrived as a walk-on for the Lumberjacks, quickly developed into an All-American punter with a list of accomplishments few have matched during their football careers at Northern Arizona. And while his football career started out like many others, an 8-year-old finding his best fit on the Pop Warner field, it wasn't until the on-field results began to generate national attention with the Lumberjacks that he put any thought into a future in the sport.
As a result of that success, now comes the balancing act for Arnson, whose dream of pursuing professional football will intertwine with his long-standing plan to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Dr. Bruce Nelson Curtis, by attending medical school.
"NFL dreams weren't anything until I'd say probably the end of my 2018 season going into my 2019 season," Arnson said. "The priorities have always been the same, but now it's just we have got to put the timing factor in.
"My grandfather retired in his mid 70s. You can be a doctor forever, but football is just such a small, short amount of time," he added. "That's why I said I'm here now. Med school is not going anywhere, I'm still going to do it. But I think I need to attack this opportunity as best I can right now because this one's going to go away way before the med school opportunity does."
It's no easy choice, with Arnson blessed to learn of the impact his grandfather had for decades while practicing family care in Thatcher, Arizona. Majoring in biomedical science with a minor in chemistry, Arnson arrived in Flagstaff with a plan to make a difference in people's lives the way his family had long before he was born.
"As I got older and, at this point my grandfather's retired, I could see the impact his life had in the lives of so many people. It made me think I want to be like him. I want to do what he's done," Arnson said. "Throughout school and especially high school, that's always been my goal. I guess my football goal came first, but I wouldn't say it was always my No. 1 priority."
Arriving at Northern Arizona after first planning to attend a rival school, Arnson's decision also came about in part because of his close connection to his family as his father Derek also played football at Northern Arizona.
Admittedly taking the tougher of the two routes to a football career, Arnson said he felt he wanted to share the history of being one of the few father-son pairings in school history. Ultimately it led to a career that has included eight All-American honors, the FCS Punter of the Year Award and now the program record for total punting yardage.
That work ethic and willingness to pursue a challenging goal was passed down to him through many members of his family as Arnson spent countless hours with his grandparents during his most formative years.
"Both of them are gone, both my grandfathers, but those cherished memories, that's what keeps me going," Arnson said. "Their blood runs through my veins!"
Arnson hopes to track down some of those who received care from his grandfather, or families whose relatives were impacted by Dr. Curtis through the years, around Thatcher. Now knowing the impact his grandfather had on an entire town, Arnson added how immensely proud he is to be able to say that's his family.
"It's probably numbering in the 1000s. Just seeing that and knowing that legacy as I'm getting older.. you know, granddad was always here hanging out the house and spending time with us. You're young and you don't know what he's done in his life until you get a little older. The man's a legend and I'm just so, so grateful for the time I did get with him. Being a part of that legacy, it pushes me to finish what I started."
Recently, Arnson said he was able to see it first-hand as a post on social media following his interview on the pregame show ahead of Northern Arizona's game against Sacramento State reinforced everything he's known growing up.
"DJ, just to ring true what you said, Dr. Curtis' name is well-known here and he's touched so many lives," Arnson said, reciting back what he'd read. "Just seeing that, I don't even know who that person is and look at the impact my grandfather had on their lives. It's a generational impact and it's going to continue. As long as those people that my grandfather's impacted are alive, that's how long his legacy is going to last. To be a part of that is just, it's incredible."
Before his grandfather passed, Arnson said he made it clear to him that he planned to follow the same path as he entered college.
Those words, a conversation Arnson still remembers vividly and fondly looking back, remain a driving force in his future. Calling himself a man of his word after being taught by his parents and grandparents, Arnson said he knows his grandfather remains by his side as he looks ahead to the next steps.
"I just remember him being so grateful and tearing up and saying, thank you and how much that means to him," Arnson said. "I know that no matter what, I have his help. I still have that help in me, I still feel him pushing me and driving me. I know he loves me and I know I'd never let him down, but I just really want to fulfill what I told him I'm going to do. And I know he's going to be smiling down on me when I'm putting on that white coat just like he did so many years ago. I'm really looking forward to that moment."
