The Cost of the Pig Skin

[/media-credit] Football is a fun sport to watch but comes at the cost of serious injuries.

“I’ve dislocated my right kneecap multiple times, tore my PCL in my right knee, and jacked up a few of my fingers and wrists here and there,” said Orem High defensive back (#3) Ben Daley. “I missed a week or more [of school] with the dislocations and the torn PCL ended my season.”

Not even Orem High tigers are safe from a couple of injuries. According to Stop Sports Injuries, football accounts for 28% of all national high school sports-related injuries.

Austin Kirkby, defensive end and #17 on Orem’s team, said, “[I’ve received] a couple of concussions from going head on into blockers… Short term, it affected me the most because recovery took weeks, I had to miss school, and I would get way behind in my school work…”

Austin has received about three concussions in his football career.

The most common football injuries, researched by HealthLine, are heads/faces (28%, including concussions), knees (14%), ankles (11%), and shoulders (10%). 68% of these injuries occur with tackling, and 22% are associated with blocking.

“I broke my wrist in a tackling drill,” said Jacob Zimmerman. And similarly to his teammates, he said he would play until he was “carried off the field.”

Zach Ortiz, football captain and wide receiver (#11), said, “Sophomore year, I fractured my clavicle. Then junior year, I fractured my foot (still played on it).”

Zach had to wear a medical boot for his junior year.

“… I’ve seen some pretty crazy stuff happen… like people knees bending the wrong way, shins getting snapped, and wrists getting broken,” said Enoch Fiso, tight end (#1) and captain of the football team.

So, with all of these injuries: why stay on the field? And why keep playing?

“I play football because it’s what I love,” said Enoch Fiso. “I play football for my grandpa… [I] keep playing because my team needs me. [Football] made me a leader and a better person. It’s a place where I don’t have to play a role. I can be me and play my game.”

“I play because I love the game! I play for my brothers on the field! I keep going because football is my life… It helps me become a leader, do hard things, and stay positive,” said Zach Ortiz.

Ben Daley said, “My dad started throwing me a football when I was three, and I’ve loved the game ever since… Football has made me a tougher person physically and mentally. It disciplines you and shows you you gotta go through hard stuff and things that suck in order to get the best outcome and be happy when it’s all said and done.”

“I have [played] since I was a kid, and I loved the game. I love the challenges it brings,” said Austin Kirkby. “… my parents are always worried about it, but love to watch, and are the most supportive people in the stands!”

Jacob Zimmerman said, “It’s the intensity. You won’t feel it in anything else. You put your life on the line… it means something to us guys, can’t be matched by anything else.”

For these Orem High tigers, football is not just for entertainment or enjoyment. These players are hurting, fighting to stay on the field; this is their dream, their life. They are working hard, playing, and fighting for their future.

Lastly, Zach Ortiz said, “Shoutout to my mom for being my #1 cheerleader!”

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Taylor Gardner

Taylor Gardner is an avid lover of three things: food, reading, and of course, writing for her local high school's paper. She enjoys inspiring her fellow peers and readers by flavored sarcastic comments and sly puns (if she can 'taylor' them).