Returning from injuries, another sport for some Jags

Many athletes train year-round in their respective sport. They wake up with their sport on their mind and go to sleep with it on their mind also. They probably even dream about sports, too.
It is a special kind of love that athletes invest into their respective sport. But an athlete’s career can be taken in an instant or second when they become injured and things may never be the same.
“I have to constantly work out on my knee, or it will get stiff,” said Southern University junior sprinter, Angelica Peterson. “I have to fight and train harder.”
In December 2001, at Tulane University, during her first collegiate meet, she tore ligaments in her knee while participating in the long jump contest. Since then, she has gone through two surgeries and two years of not competing.
More than 10 million sports injuries occur each year and according to SU Director of Sports Medicine Alec Hawkins, most of the injuries occur in football.
“A lot of different factors cause injuries for athletes such as conditioning, environment and circumstance.” Hawkins. “You can’t predict when an accident will happen.”
On October 11, early in the Jags’ Homecoming game against Alabama A&M, All-SWAC kick returner Ezra Landry injured his left ankle returning a punt. The senior led the conference averaging over 33.5 yards per return.
“It will take a lot of prayer, time and patience,” said Landry. “The key thing is never to rush because you can re-break it and it may never heal.”
He said that he is now in rehabilitation and if all goes well, he will be able to return for the 2004 season.
Hawkins tends to many of the campus athletes everyday, treating a variety of conditions ranging from symptoms of the flu to body sprains.
Most injuries involve soft tissue injuries that affect muscles, ligaments and tendons.
Many athletes try different methods of training or motivation for making comebacks. Some lean on religion, music and family or go through different types of therapies and surgeries.
“You have to want to comeback or desire to get back on the field or court to be successful,” said Hawkins.
These athletes have to change their entire work regimen and work harder than before they had the injury.
“It’s mental fear that you have to push yourself. You don’t want to get hurt again,” said Jaguars’ senior sprinter Noel Parker.
Parker suffered a pulled hamstring injury and had to watch his team compete from the stands for over eight months. He is now training daily to run this season.
Sports injuries may be prevented with proper training, conditioning, effective protective gear and correct usage of the equipment as directed.
Treatment may be based on the athletes’ weight, age, overall health, medical history and the severity of the injury that happened.
After all the tedious workouts, dedication and rehabilitation, these once-injured athletes now have a chance to make great comebacks.
Their success encourages others on and off the team.
“It’s their work ethic. It inspires you to do your best,” said Lady Jags’ senior thrower Silvers Fultz. “It inspires the entire team.”