The game of football is a contact-heavy sport resulting in the highest percentage of injured players for a high school sport. Nearly four percent of players are injured every year in football, according to Healthline.com. Around 18 percent of those are head injuries, 14 percent knee, 11 percent ankle, and 10 percent shoulder. Injuries are a common piece of the game. The AHS football team currently has five injured out of 58 varsity players. Coach Joseph Brummer and athletic trainer Andy Neimann are helping all injured players, including Zayden Parker, Ismael Elba, and Derrick Wood, work towards recovery to have a successful season.
The Atlantic football team has had a notable start to their season with a record of 4-1. The magic behind this has to do with talent, coaching, and most importantly a strong team bond, according to Coach Joe Brummer.. Sports injuries can be a killer when it comes to team morale. “We have had a wide variety of issues this year ranging from broken bones to sprains and it seems like everything in between,” said Brummer. With injuries, teams can see a decline in team chemistry; however, Brummer said, “Overall, I believe it has brought the team closer together. I think our athletes have rallied around their fallen teammates and played for them and really valued each play, because it could truly be their last.”
Injuries make quite a mess for coaches when they have to replace, replenish and re-examine their options. Brummer said, “These injuries have given us many issues for our depth and impacted all levels. We have had to cancel a JV game because of it, and have also been forced to move some athletes to different positions mid-week or even mid-game. Then athletes have done a great job of overcoming this by rallying together as a team and embracing the next-man-up philosophy.” Even with these injuries, the football team has managed to be successful in the start of their season. According to Brummer, this is due to the athletes and claims this is their own success because of their mindsets. Brummer said the athletes “have really bought into the system and culture we want to have…I believe [we have] unselfish kids that want to win.” He said when players have been moved to different positions “they have not complained.”
Brummer also noted the effort put forth in practice. “We have some kids who don’t play in the varsity game a lot but work hard every day in practice to make us better as a team and wait for their number to be called.” Players of all ages struggle to accept the result of an injury because of the disappointment in being set back. The goal is to have a positive outlook, continue to learn, and come back stronger. “You can still learn and grow as a player if you’re hurt. Go to practice, take mental reps, help out your teammates, and still be around the game. You can still learn what to do even if you can’t physically do it,“ said Brummer.
Quarterback Zayden Parker broke both his tibia and fibula during the beginning weeks of practice after an o-lineman fell backward onto his leg. Parker has been physically challenged while recovering but has been more affected mentally while wishing he could play. “This has affected me since I haven’t been able to play football which has caused stress having to watch my team play and feeling useless that there is nothing I can do about it,” said Parker. Throughout his recover athletic trainer Andy Nieman and Coach Mozier have both been a big help to him. Niemann creates the recovery plans for all injured athletes. With help from teamates, coaches, and friends Parker has made a remarkable good recovery and is looking to be healed earlier than his predicted timeline. Parker said, “My recovery process feels very slow even though I know it has been pretty good for the injury I have. There are always good and bad days.”
As for our injured players, challenges have arised inside and out of football. For player Ismael Elba, with a broken collarbone, he has had to learn to write with his non-dominant hand, is unable to drive and is waiting through his recovery looking to range around 6-12 weeks. Even with this season ending injury Elba has remained positive and proud of his team. Showing up to practice and games with a good attitude has allowed him to see the good. Elba said, “I hope that everyone appreciates what they have, because you never know when you won’t have it anymore.” This is how Elba has encouraged his teammates and friends to keep working hard and trying for the win even when it seems hard.
Senior defensive back Derrick Wood sprained both ankles, making it hard to run and recover. With a double leg injury, a challenge of recovery is the strengthening of each leg while needing to carefully heal both. An important part of being a teammate is everyone supporting each other. Wood said, “I’ve supported the team by praying over them, and spreading positive energy around the field. They’ve supported me by telling me I’ll be out there soon. The coaches have supported me by giving me stretches to do, less of a workout to preserve my ankles.” He is hoping to recover quickly and efficiently so he can join back in the action. Wood is very proud of his team’s success and can’t wait to be a part of the game again. “I think if we keep it up, we’ll be able to make the playoffs,” said Wood.
Reentering the field of play can be intimidating after any type of injury. Brummer said, “We are very fortunate to have coach Niemann and coach [Matthew] Best with us for this. Andy does an amazing job with our prevention and return to play rehabs that athletes need to do in order to be ready to play. Coach Best does a great job in weights class of making sure our athletes stay in physical shape to meet the demands of football. He works on specific injury prevention stretches and movements to try and give our athletes the best tools necessary to stay healthy and succeed.” The Atlantic sports department is entirely thankful to have a well experienced sports health staff. They help kids everyday of the year and work hard to maintain the health of our athletes.
The Atlantic football team has shown a true meaning of perseverance. Players of all ages have stepped up to fill the roles of injured players. Their record is tangible evidence of the hard work put in during the countless summer and out of season hours. As Brummer continues his hard work in coaching the boys they will continue to have positive attitudes, good mentalities, and great teammate relationships.
