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Former Ram, Survivor Of Aurora Shooting, Signs Free Agent NFL Deal

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4) - A survivor of the Aurora movie theater shooting is getting a chance to play in the NFL.

Zack Golditch
Zack Golditch (center) reflects while the marching band plays CSU songs after the Rams lost the Gildan New Mexico Bowl to the Marshall Thundering Herd 31-28 at Dreamstyle Stadium Dec. 16, 2017. (credit: Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Chargers announced on Saturday that they signed Zack Golditch to a rookie free agent contract after no team selected him in the draft.

"I was kind of just hanging out and then I got the phone call and the nerves settled a little bit and the excitement kicked in," he told CBS4.

ZACK GOLDITCH 10PKG.transfer_frame_641
(credit: CBS)

Golditch, a guard, shined as a member of the offensive line for the CSU Rams. He was a first-team All-Mountain West selection as a senior at Colorado State University.

Golditch attended Gateway High School in Aurora. On July 20, 2012, he was watching a movie in the theater right next to the one where the mass shooting that killed 12 people took place. A bullet fired by the gunman came through the wall and went through his neck. It just missed his spine.

Zack Golditch
Zack Golditch (credit: CBS)

"It's surreal because it was 1/16 of an inch from me not being able to play sports, me not being able to walk, me not being able to live possibly. So to not only just continue to live my life, but to have a great possibility to have a career in the NFL is absolutely amazing," said Golditch.

It wasn't easy, but over time he healed both physically and mentally. Golditch says he always had football to take his mind of things, but it was the Colorado State University community that also helped him move on.

ZACK GOLDITCH 10PKG.transfer_frame_300
(credit: CBS)

"They helped me develop myself as a person on and off the field," he said.

Golditch is excited about the possibility of playing against his hometown team, the Broncos. He hopes his story will help inspire anyone else.

"You control your attitude for everything, just embrace the people around you. They're going to be there for you at the end of the day."

AURORA THEATER SHOOTING: Story Archive | Timeline | Remembering The Victims

Golditch was honored as Homecoming King at Gateway High School.

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