Senior Brady Hope from Larned High School has had an incredibly tough time with his high school sports career. He has had a sports related injury every year except his freshman year. All related to football causing him to sit out during upcoming seasons. Brady has been through it all with the injuries but he still showed his team support.
His freshman year was a pretty good year for him. Towards the end of the season he became a starter for football as a defensive back. He also played basketball but didn’t start his freshman year. In baseball he started in infield. He worked very hard for the positions he wanted. His sophomore year was his first injury where he broke his fibula in an early season football game against Pratt. He made a very fast recovery and was able to play through both basketball and baseball.
Junior year in another early football game he dislocated his elbow against Smokey Valley. He again had a good recovery and played both his winter and spring sports. His baseball seasons have all gone very well and even went to state junior year. His senior year he again was injured in a football game. He tore his ACL and other ligaments. He was not able to play basketball and had to sit the first few games but he ended up being able to play baseball. He made a nine month recovery go down to a six month recovery.
His football coach, Brady Keith, said, “Even though Brady has struggled with injuries he kept showing up for his team by going to games and practices even if he couldn’t play.” Coach Keith was Brady’s head football coach and his junior year assistant baseball coach. Brady was always seen on the sidelines at home games helping out his team and coaches.
Brady said “Throughout my injuries Coach Erway, my friends, and my family have been my support system. I had to set goals for myself and go through with them even if I didn’t want to.” Coach Erway being at the school was good because he is someone Brady trusts. This was able to help him recover and know that his friends and family were there for him through everything. Brady’s advice for those who struggle with sports injuries is, “Don’t bottle up your emotions and feelings instead, express them to those you love and trust.” Baseball is his favorite sport and takes it very seriously. He would like to make it to state again and win.
