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!
