06/16/2026
“I feel like that’s the big lesson I’ve learned. Just taking it all in and just being grateful to be on the field, be part of the team, go to workouts — even if they’re not fun to be a part of — just being there and being able to physically play.”
Some comebacks don’t happen all at once. For Derek, that meant five knee surgeries throughout high school. Procedures on both knees. Months of rehab. Lots of missed opportunities and uncertainty around the seasons he loved most.
Osteochondritis Dissecans tested him physically, but more than that, it tested his mindset. With the help of his OrthoNebraska surgeon, Dr. Arnold, Derek stayed committed to the process. He showed up for rehab, trusted the plan and kept pushing forward, even when the path wasn’t clear.
When returning to football and basketball during his senior year, he knew things wouldn’t look the same, but he found new ways to lead. To support his teammates and to make an impact beyond the stats. And when the season ended, he stepped right back into the work, undergoing another procedure to keep moving forward.
Derek’s story is about perseverance in its purest form. We’re proud to stand alongside athletes like Derek through every step of the journey! Congrats, Derek!
Video transcript
So, over the past two years or so, I’ve had five knee surgeries total, but I was able to make it back on the football field and was named team captain for Mount Michael, and led our team to first playoff win since 1998, and was able to make an impact on the basketball court being named team captain and leading our team to subdistricts and had a really good season.
There were days where I felt like there was no progress being made, and just kind kind of kept getting set back, and set back, and it was just it took a really mental toll on me.
I feel like that’s the big lesson I’ve learned. Just taking it all in and just being grateful to be on the field, be part of the team, go to workouts, even if they’re not fun to be a part of, just being there and being able to physically play. I’ve really learned to take advantage of those moments.
My family has always been supporting me, keeping me focused and determined and waking me up in the mornings, and keeping me motivated to go to school, do well, and attack physical therapy as hard as I can. Um, and then obviously God, I mean, I couldn’t have done it without him. I felt like my faith really grew throughout it all. My friends as well, just letting me know that I’m not alone and they’re there for me and um continue to support me.
Winning the Comeback Athlete Award reminded me that hard work does not go unnoticed, and that I’m an inspiration to others who are dealing through injuries right now. And that just means a lot to me.
