Quickly surveying the field, I collected myself. Chopping my feet, I exploded through the line. Quick movements and swift jukes helped me maneuver my way around the enclosing defenders. Finally, I shoved Cole Foster out of the way and found a lane. “Nothing is going to keep me from getting to the end zone,” or so I thought. Like a gazelle, I stretched one leg out after the other in long strides until I hit top speed. With each step I could feel my cleats get heavier as the rubber pellets from the turf kicked up inside of them. I had one person to beat; one person stood between me and my first touchdown of the season, a mediocre safety.

Roaring fans engulfed the raggedy stadium seats while screaming cheerleaders and teammates leaped up and down on the sideline looking on attentively. Fans rise to their feet in hopes of a long run. Turning my hips, I darted towards the sidelines, the safety following me step for step. Realizing I beat the safety I changed direction yet again, planting my foot in the ground, I zeroed in on the goal line.

Firmly planting my left foot in the ground I made a quick change in direction. A loud pop drowned out all other noise. With my knee going one way and my stubborn foot deciding to stay planted in the Astroturf, I knew the outcome would be devastating. Sharp pain starting from my inner left knee shot throughout my whole body. Negative thoughts poured like a waterfall through my head, but nothing was stopping me from getting to the end zone. The pain finally became unbearable and I only crawled for ten more yards before being caught from behind by the once trailing defenders. Sitting in disbelief and disappointment I laid on the forty yard line staring at my now grapefruit size, sorry excuse for a knee.

In an attempt to act as if nothing happened, I limped off the field unassisted. A big hudl formed around me as our trainer, James, inspected the injury. Things seemed to go from bad to worse as James performs his test, randomly asking, “how does this feel?” or “does this hurt?” , everyone sitting in anticipation wondering the verdict. With a wave of his hand, the crowd dispersed into just the important crowd, my coaches and parents. “There is no way to know 100% but all the signs make me believe you have torn your ACL”. Sitting in awe, I became overcome with an emotionless, blank feeling. Almost as if the world as I knew it was coming to a tragic end. A single tear fell down, and then many more followed. Everything I had worked for was gone in the blink of an eye. My childhood dream of college ball ruined, football was over.