HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. — Carter Daniels, an incoming Mountain Vista senior, was slated to have a phenomenal junior season before an ACL and meniscus tear would end his junior campaign.
“It was my ACL, meniscus, fractured tibia, pulled quad, pulled hamstrings [and] sprained MCL. There wasn't a ligament I didn't hit,” Daniels said.
Denver Sports Media had Daniels ranked as the top linebacker ahead of the 2023 season.
“It was the first time Mountain Vista [has] ever gotten a bye in the school's history," Daniels explained. "And it's like I'm on the sideline and only helped out six games. But I continued to help throughout the season, just in a different way.”
He’d have no choice but to put down the pads and pick up a headset to help the coach.
“It's a different view, it's the coach's view," Daniels said. "You're not playing [and] there's nothing you can do to help except help the people around you get better.”
In the meantime, he’d improve in the weight room by building muscle and strength.
“I just want to play again," Daniels said. "It's been 10 months since I've hit anybody or been out on the field with my best friends and it hurts, but I just want to play.”
Daniels was cleared to play again last week, nearly two months before his expected recovery date.
But not every process is like Daniels'. That's why the ACL Club was created.
“I created the ACL Club as a community to help people through the trials and the triumphs of the ACL injury recovery,” said Jordan Angeli, founder of the ACL Club.
According to Project Play, ACL tears have increased 26% among high school athletes over the past 15 years.
“I feel like over the last 30 years, kids have [specialized] more in one sport," Angeli explained. "It has ramped up since 30 years ago to say, 'Hey, I'm only a soccer player [or] I'm only a football player.' So I think just doing the same motion repeatedly is one of the factors we're getting.”
While there is no foolproof method to prevent injury and with every ACL repair being different, the post-surgery scar can represent unity.
“Life isn't easy," Angeli said. "It's gonna throw you curveballs and trials, but the scar is a representation where you kind of understand the journey that they went through, not only physically, but what they went through mentally and that they overcame it.”
Daniels overcame his obstacles and is ready to hit the field for his senior season.
“I don't wish it on anybody, but if it happens to you, it's just one of those things where you got to buckle up and enjoy the ride,” Daniels shared.
Daniels will be cleared to play for the upcoming season.
If your student-athlete has suffered a torn ACL, there are resources on the ACL Club's website.