6:30 Am alarm. Waking up for my second football scrimmage, what blinded me all day was today would be the worst day of my life. 

I was picked up quarter to 7. My best friend of 6 years and his Dad. We were so tired on the car ride there. Listening to sports radio and watching the farm fields pass as we drive by. Going to be there early gonna be stretched- “HOLD ON”!

7:45AM.The car was completely totaled, we smashed a 10 point buck. Jack and I were in shock, realizing what had just happened, we were wide awake now. We were now stuck, 25 minutes from the game and 35 minutes from home.  My friends mom came and picked us up resulting in being late to the game

As a result of being late we hadn’t stretched yet, we also haven’t heard the rules for this “scrimmage”. After the shortest stretches of our lives it was time. 

We started on offense moving the ball at will, targeted the first play of the game but it was swatted away. Then the 4th and final play of my football career came. Banana screen left hook. The corner on me looked slow and scrawny. I knew I could burn him. “Setttt HIKE!” I ran my route perfectly looking back for the ball, the ball came gliding in right into my hands. I ran for what felt like forever, slowing down ever so slightly. “Where’s the whistle? Isn't this half field-” tackled. A warm tingly sensation filled my left leg, Something wasn’t right. My coaches rushed to me and tended to me. Meanwhile my parents had just arrived, walking up they saw me lying on the ground.

4:22 Pm. I passed out on the ground while my dad was over me, I woke up to a loud machine noise realizing I was in an MRI. I couldn’t stay still. I was terrified, fear filled my eyes, I once again passed out.

A week later, heading to surgery in Madison. In the back of the van with my mom, Dad was driving. We arrive in an eerie room with no other patients to be found but me. 7 am the last thing I remember was telling my mom I love her.I woke up in the recovery room after surgery slightly seeing my moms hands on my chest and my dad weeping over me. Again I passed out.

I finally woke up, seeing the surgeon talking to my parents… they realized I was awake. My hip hurt just a little bit. The surgeon straight up said “Jackson, as of right now you will not be able to play any sport again, especially football.”  4 years later I sit here writing this, playing basketball for 3 teams and being able to dunk.