- 2017 Highlights
Personal Statement
During the offseason before my junior year I suffered a complete ACL tear during a 7 on 7 tournament. I didn’t find out about the tear until a year later which was followed by numerous injuries throughout my junior season to the same knee. Unable to play to my highest potential I was usually benched and had a season that was one not to remember. It wasn’t til the offseason of my senior year that I would get to a point where I could no longer struggle through the injuries and decided to seek a specialist. Fearing the worst I highly suspected a possible tear, which it was, but it wasn’t until he told me about the severity and Prolonged recovery time that really made me think about what would be the best next step for me.I decided the best thing to do would be to get ACL Reconstruction surgery.
The day after my surgery I met with my specialist who went over future plans. The first and most important thing he told me was I would not be able play at the same level before the surgery and that a full recovery would take about 8 Months (Average) which would be long after my senior season would be over. At this point a lot of doubts poured into my mind, But I knew the hard work I put onto the field couldn’t go to waste.
For the next 4 months I was determined to do whatever it took to return back onto the field before the end of the season. Unable to practice I dedicated all of my time in the weightroom and with my athletic trainer doing rehab. Also making time to do physical therapy twice a week with my physical therapist. By the time of my second and a half month check-in I was able to Sprint; which on average was not cleared for until the fourth month of the recovery process. And by my fourth month was able to do lateral movement and agility drills. A week after an intense amount of footwork and conditioning I was given the clearance to return back to football. According to my doctor in all his years as a doctor and surgeon he has never had a patient recover this fast from ACL Reconstruction.
From this experience I had struggled many ups and downs which has shaped the person and player I am right now. There were some people Including my doctor, physical therapist, and athletic trainer who questioned my chances of being able to play at a high standard again before the end of the season. But it was through this injury which has built myself to be resilient in times of adversity. Also I have learned that with faith and passion you can achieve things that may not seem possible but through hard work will eventually see your way through any struggle.
