Page 3 - Hawaii Island MidWeek - Sep 29 2021

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021
HAWAI‘I ISLAND MIDWEEK 3
IThe Milton Miracle
t’s a bit early to start deciding the feel-good story of the year, but I know a contender when I see one. With the help of football, faith, family, friends, for-
titude and Florida, not to mention the incredible work of expert orthopedic doctors, trainers and determined rehab specialists, McKenzie Milton has risen. From the quarterback’s youth teams (which went 66-2!) through back-to-back state championship appearances at Mililani High School, Milton proved himself to be a leader and a winner by age 18.
But he didn’t plan on becoming a nationwide inspi- ration. Fate and deep faith sometimes come together to provide lessons that seem unfair and devastating, yet ultimately turn lives around, occasionally in spectacular fashion. On Nov. 23, 2018, Milton took a helmet to his right knee during a football game for the University of Central Florida. The injury was gruesome and so serious — right knee dislocation, plus ligament, artery and nerve damage — that numerous medical experts suggested am- putation might be necessary. The thinking then was that after three surgeries, he’d be in great pain for the rest of his life. And there was still doubt he’d ever walk again. But medical miracle men acted quickly and saved his leg.
Milton persevered for three years of repetitive, ex- cruciating rehab. He then transferred to Florida State. Why? His QB spot at UCF had been taken over by Dil- lon Gabriel, and, as if this story could cause any more chicken skin, Gabriel had been Milton’s understudy at Mililani, and followed Milton to UCF. As Milton healed and realized there was a new Trojan hero at UCF in Or- lando, he calmly moved his football future to perennial powerhouse Florida State.
In his first game back on Sept. 5, exactly 1,017 days after almost losing his leg on the gridiron, Milton rallied his new team from a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit to a 38-all tie against No. 7-ranked Notre Dame. Alas, the Seminoles fell in overtime, 41-38, but Milton’s surreal heroics were inspirational on so many levels. Football fans, his family, doctors, trainers, coaches, teammates and local pals all must’ve shed tears amid their fears. Akamai viewers wondered where the Disney camera crew was hiding. Could this really be happening?
No matter what happens next, Milton has proven through his humble efforts that miracles do come true. He went from “can’t do” to “did do.”
Think about it ...
john@thinkaboutithawaii.com