Ethan recently got invited to play in the East West All Star game for football. He will be playing December 13 at St. X high school.   He was picked to be one of the four wide receivers to play. Ethan was the only kid picked from this area. He was very excited to be able to play again but this time in front of more college recruiters. I am also very excited to watch him play again and hopefully getting an opportunity to further his career. My family is very excited that Ethan gets this opportunity to come back to do what he loves. When Ethan had back surgery he thought that it was the end of him playing sports for good, but he dedicated his time to getting better and now he has multiple colleges looking at him for football and some for baseball.

During Ethan's senior year he has been followed my several colleges the past couple of months. Ethan has a very strong interest in Eastern Kentucky University, where he recently got accepted, and he hopes to be able to play football for them one day. EKU sports director is meeting with Ethan to watch highlight films. Lindsey Wilson has also looked at him for football and baseball. Ethan plans to go into the Wildlife program so he will be juggling a lot with sports and college work.

High school athletes suffer about 2 million injuries every year, resulting in 500,000 doctor visits and 30,000 hospitalizations. The most commonly injured body parts are the knee, shoulder and hand/finger. The most common diagnoses were fracture, incomplete ligament sprain and complete ligament sprain. 7 out 10 of sever injuries were the result of player-player contact, 3 out of 10 of severe injuries occurred to the player being tackled and 1 out of 5 were to player making the tackle. Lower back or overall back pain is a common complaint in football due to overuse. Often a leading cause is overtraining syndrome. This is when a player trains beyond the ability for the body to easily recover. UW medicine has provided helpful tips to prevent injuries, they are listed below.

Perform proper warm-up and cool-down routines

Consistently incorporate strength training and stretching

Hydrate adequately to maintain health and minimize cramps

Stay active during summer break to prepare for return to sports in the fall

Wear properly fitted protective equipment, such as a helmet, pads, and mouth guard

Tackle with the head up and do not lead with the helmet

Have a pre-season health and wellness evaluation

Speak with a sports medicine professional or athletic trainer if you have any concerns about football injuries or football injury prevention strategies

Ethan battled through two life threatening back surgeries that has made him a stronger person in everyday life. Due to all of the hard work and physical therapy, Ethan was able to return to doing what he loves. Deer hunting, playing football, basketball and baseball was a majority of Ethan's time. He was able to come back just in time for football and with all his hard work and dedication, he was named to most explosive kick off return in the state. Ethan was very proud to see his accomplishment and it led him to due bigger and better things. He has been scouted by several colleges to play college football. Some of those colleges being, Eastern Kentucky University, Lindsey Wilson, Thomas More and Georgetown. The college that has got his attention is Eastern Kentucky because he recently got accepted into that college and now the football coach is coming to watch highlights from his football season. This had me a very proud sister. I was so glad that Ethan didn't let this injury affect his future. This has taught me a lot as a teenager, that no matter how tough things get that there is always a way to fix it although it may take time. "You never know how strong you are, until being strong is the only choice you have."

Ethan had his second surgery about six months later. This was the surgery that could put him out for good if he was not careful. When Ethan found out that he was going to need a second surgery, he began to really worry about his future. He was very emotional for a couple months because this year being his senior year he wanted to be in the spot light. The same procedure was to happen again. the doctor was going to cut more off his disc to remove the part pressing on the spine. It was time for his surgery and it was more nerve wrecking than before. The surgery went well and Ethan was out of the hospital a couple hours after. This time Ethan did what he was supposed to do and he went to physical therapy three days a week for six weeks. He was still restricted from deer hunting and any physical activity till his back was strong enough. After a long month or so he was starting to run and do physical activity at football practice. Due to Ethan's hard work, the doctor released him to play football and all sports but told him to take it slow. I was so happy to finally hear good news and that Ethan was going to return doing what he loves. I was excited that I get to watch him every Friday night and be apart of his senior year.

The surgery took a huge effect on Ethan's mental stability. When Ethan knew that there was a high possibility that he would never be able to play football again, he thought that a future no longer existed. This took an effect on me also because I didn't like seeing Ethan down on himself. I wanted to help as much as I can but I knew that the only way to help is to have a positive outlook. Ethan was very hard headed; he couldn't sit still long enough for his back to heal. The doctor told him no hunting, no lifting heavy things, and he must go to physical therapy. However, Ethan did go to physical therapy, but still went hunting and lifted deer in his truck. This was his first strike and he only had three. Since he didn't do what he was supposed to, this led to his second surgery and his second strike.

 

In December of 2014, Ethan was undergoing his first surgery. Ethan had two discs, L4 and L5, that was pushing against the main nerve in his back and caused pain throughout his back and down his legs. Due to the back pain, if Ethan was to get hit hard in the back or legs, he could be paralyzed. Surgery, at this time, was the only option. The surgery is commonly known as a microdiscectomy. Microdiscectomy is a surgery to remove lumber (low back) herniated disc material that is pressing on a nerve root or the spinal cord. There was always a 20% chance that the doctors could hit the wrong nerve and Ethan could be paralyzed from the waist down. The doctor told Ethan that he might not get to  play football ever again and that took a huge toll on him. At this time, I was a nervous wreck. I was scared that I was going to have an older that couldn't walk anymore or play the sports that he loves. When Ethan went back for surgery, I cried and I gave him a hug and told him that I was going to be with him no matter what. I was scared that he wouldn't act like himself after. The only thing that was going through his mind was the negative sides to this situation.

Ethan has played football for almost twelve years. He participated in flag football for five years and he continues to play now as a senior. During his football career, he has made a mark with all the touchdowns he has scored and continues to score now. Today, Ethan has more self confidence when it comes to sports than anyone I know. He has struggled for many years trying to reach his main goal, to be the best kick off return in the state. Growing up with football fanatics in the family has made Ethan who he is today.

Ethan playing middle school football has a 6th grader.

Ethan running the ball against Owen County
(Middle School)

                                                    

All About Me

My name is Aleah Tuggle, I am 16 years old and growing up with an older brother as taught me many life lessons. "Don't wait till you can't stand the pain, it will only take away from doing what you love." I love being under the Friday Night Lights of Henry County watching my brother, Ethan, play football. After battling pain and undergoing two back surgeries, Ethan was able to return as one of the top most explosive kick off return in the state. This boy never gave up; hard work, determination and having a heart sets an example for all high school athletes facing the same struggles of an injury.