Injuries are one of the tough parts of playing sports. Even with all the correct training and preparation, an accident can happen and sideline an athlete from the sport that they love to play. Altus’ Michael Delgado tore his ACL during football season, but he has worked hard and is ready to get back on the field.

“I tore it at our game at Cache,” he said. “I went for a 15-yard gain and then I got tackled. My leg stuck to the ground while I got spun around and hit the ground. It was pretty painful at first, but it didn’t really start to hurt badly until the day after when I couldn’t walk or move my leg. The recovery process was long and difficult. When I started my physical therapy, it was rough at first, trying to bend my leg and lift up weights with it. After about four weeks of doing that, I started doing more intense workouts with my leg to strengthen it. It was rough not being able to do what I love but I kept up hope and never gave up on my physical therapy. I worked super hard every day to get my leg back to the way it was. I still work on my skills for football and soccer, and I plan on playing football in college once I am fully confident with my knee.”

Delgado is a senior at Altus High School where he is a member of the football and soccer teams. He says that while overcoming his injury was tough at times, he had two really good role models that helped him.

“My brother and my sister are the biggest influences on my life,” he said. “They are both hard-working and they never give up and that has been a real inspiration for me, especially during my recovery.”

As an athlete for the Bulldogs, Delgado and his teammates have played against a number of different teams throughout his career. But out of all of them, he says that there is one school that he enjoys beating, no matter what sport it is.

“Duncan would have to be my favorite school to go up against and beat,” he said. “Anytime we can beat them is a good day.”