The excruciating pain sending a horrid shock through my right leg was the moment I though I would never play football again. Only one thought was running through my head, “ Would I ever get up.” Growing up I loved football and knew I wanted to play my whole life. No matter what had just happened to me I knew I would not let it get in my way of pursuing my football dreams.
I was in the ninth grade and I thought I had everything going for me. I was at football practice just like every other day, when one thing different occurred. We were running our most famous play ‘toss right’ I was playing full back running right and my opponent on defense hit me just the right way to cause my knee to buckle. I laid there for a few seconds telling myself to get up, but as a couple minutes passed I knew it was more serious and something was wrong. I was worried, I knew if something was wrong with me I wouldn’t be able to play and I could potentially never play again. The trainers helped me of the field and while waiting for my mom to pick me up I was being examined. My mom said it was in my best interest to get my leg checked out just to be case. After waiting for multiple hours and doing X-rays, the doctor said I needed emergency surgery the following day. The next couple weeks were very rough, a lot of things had changed and I had to change the way I did everything.
Standing on the sidelines was one of the hardest things I had to do, I couldn’t be out there on the field practicing and pursuing my dreams. The doctor had told me I could not walk on my leg for three months and could not do any physical activates for four months following that. By the time I could get back out on the field season would be over, I knew I could either give up or push myself harder and overcome what I had lost. I would go to practice everyday, to me I was still part of a team and whatever they had to do I would be there and support them through it. I would do simple things like learn the plays, play catch, watch film, and etc that way when I was cleared and able to play again I wasn’t so far behind.
Eight months later I was finally cleared, the doctor said to just take it easy for a few weeks. Even though I was out for eight months, I was determined to come back stronger than I was before. I went to morning and afternoon weights everyday five days a week and on the weekend I went to the gym so I could build back all the muscle I had lost. During practice my leg would occasionally; I probably should of taken a break but I just pushed myself more and gave it 110%.
Finally football season had started, I was excited but really nervous. This was when I would find out if all my hard work really paid off, or if I was behind and had improving to do. The first practice was hard on my leg but only because it was the first time to be tackled again, it was more of a mental thing than physical. After the first week was over I was so happy with how far I had come, and how I overcame the physical and mental pain. My team was counting on me to not give up on myself and keep up with them, and that is exactly what I had done.


The physical and mental pain I went through was a lot, but I was proud of myself. If I were to of given up on myself then I wouldn’t be where I am today. Breaking my knee has taught me a lot about life and myself. With the help of my family, friends, teammates, and coaches I was able to return the following football season stronger than I was before.