A Sideline View

Lorrie Chan, Staff Writer
December 8, 2011
Filed under Sports

Pain relievers, ice packs, and doctor appointments. Sports injuries typically become more difficult because of these necessities. For senior Stephen Daniels, sitting on the side, not being able to contribute, is the most difficult part of being injured.

“Not being able to play was the worst part, [the injury] happened right before a [football] game,” Daniels said.

Daniels attained a high ankle sprain after getting his foot caught under another football player at a practice before a game. The injury put him on crutches for a week and he still has to continue icing it everyday.

“It hurt bad, but it didn’t affect me emotionally,” Daniels said.

The one thing that did affect Daniels emotionally was having to sit on the side lines during the game.

“It doesn’t feel good to be on the sidelines. I wish I was on the field playing and helping my team,” said Daniels. “But when you’re on the sidelines, you can see a lot more of what happens on the field and I try to help out my coach by telling him what I see from my stand point.”

Even though Daniels still tries to contribute through helping his coach, he is also affected by the fact that it is his senior year and it will be the last time he plays for the school.

“I’ll never get to play those teams again. It doesn’t feel too good knowing that an injury ended your last season for football.” Daniels said.

Freshman Melanie Hazlewood agrees with Daniels that not being able to play has to be the worst part of having an injury. As Hazlewood turned her shoulder outwards to hit an incoming volleyball, the shoulder popped out of it’s socket and resulted in a muscle tear. Although she does not need any surgery, the injury put her out for the rest of the volleyball season.

“I feel really bad that I let my team down,” said Hazlewood. “I feel like I should play too and I wish that I never hurt my shoulder because I want to be that one girl that fills in for the other girl. When I watch my team play, I feel like I’m not part of the team because I’m not playing.”

Although Hazlewood does not enjoy sitting on the sidelines, for her, the worst part of the recovery process is the pain. She is looking forward to recovering and playing again, but she hopes that the injury will not affect her in the future.

“I am really looking forward to start playing again, sports are my life.” Hazlewood said.

Like Hazlewood, sophomore Diana Fernandez is hoping that her knee injury will not affect her in the future. Fernandez was injured at her last soccer game, when her foot got stuck between the ball , the goalie, and another soccer player of the opposing team. This injury put her on crutches, which she believes is the worst part of having the injury.

“Being on crutches, it hurts, it gives you bruises and everything is harder to do.” said Fernandez, “It’s hard to bend, stretch, or even sleep.”

During the last five minutes of the game, right when Fernandez became injured, thoughts concerning future chances of playing sports flew through her head.

“I was worried that I might not be able to play at another [soccer] game.” said Fernandez, “I wished I was on the field playing with my team.”

Even though athletes like Hazlewood and Fernandez are concerned that they might not be able to play in the future and that they are letting the team down through their injuries, coaches more-than-often think otherwise.

“I’m more concerned about [player’s] health than a team score,” said Cross Country Coach Michael  Mann, “A kid can run with some discomfort, but should never run in pain.”