Video: Injured Patriot Player Is Tackling His Injuries

WINSTON COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – It was never part of the game plan.

Friday night, Winston Academy tackle, Zach McDill, was intent on making a play.

What happened next, landed Zach on a helicopter to the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

Here’s the most important part of this story, Zach is doing well, working hard during his first session of physical therapy, just days after his accident on the field.

Like so many young men in our area, Zach McDill has played football as long as he can remember, but he never imagined leaving the field on a stretcher.

“I was really scared honestly, because I couldn’t really feel my legs, you know? I couldn’t really move much and I was just scared for my life, you know, like I wouldn’t be able to walk again or anything,” says football player, Zach McDill .

The third quarter changed Zach McDill’s life.

“I was going to tackle #12. He was running the ball and I went to like, tackle him, and I dived and he went to hurdle me and his chin, I mean his knee, caught me in the chin and I just blacked out.”

Kimberly McDill could only watch in horror from the stands.

“With an injury to a spinal cord, you know, it’s just iffy. It’s just, you never know what the outcome is going to be and that’s still where we’re at. Yes, he is so much better, we are blessed. He is, they didn’t know if he would have any movement in his legs and he does. His right leg is fine, still a lot of trouble with our left leg,” says Zach’s mother, Kimberly McDill.

Zach has a concussion, headaches, and dizziness when he stands up and tries to walk, but here’s the good news.

Doctors tell the McDill family that Zach is recovering a lot faster than they thought.

“We take a lot for granted until it’s taken away from you, or until you see somebody struggling with it. When you have to pull your child up out of the bed because they can’t physically stand up, and he’s been able to do that forever, and he’s a big guy, you know, it puts it into perspective for everybody,” says Kimberly.

This is Zach’s perspective.

“I wouldn’t tell you to stop playing because I mean, it’s a great sport. It’s fun to play and everything. I love it and I’m going to miss it, but just do your best at it because you never know when your last play is going to be,” says Zach.

The family says they’ve received support and prayers from all over the county, state, and country, and couldn’t be more grateful.

Zach plans on watching Friday night’s game on the sidelines with his supportive teammates and coaches, cheering them on, just like they’ve been doing for him.