Sidelined Stories

Emily Allard, Former Pro Softball Player, Chicago Bandits

There are times when the drive to continue to compete is so strong that an athlete can end up staying at it much longer than is probably best. That certainly was the case for Emily Allard who did everything humanly possible to avoid medical retirement. She hadn’t yet, after all, been able to fulfill her dreams of playing in the Olympics and anything short of that goal was unacceptable. At a certain point though, she had to face the fact that the concussion she sustained years earlier had cau...

Zoe Schweitzer, Former Gymnast, Ohio State

The decision to medically retire can be a grueling one especially for an athlete coping with chronic illness for years. In this interview, former collegiate gymnast Zoe Schweitzer talks about the challenges of coping with constant setbacks in her gymnastics career including injuries, chronic illness, and COVID-shutdowns. Zoe shares how she came to know it was time to medically retire and what led her to be confident in that decision. She opens up the emotional toll the anticipation of her so...

Jonathan Giles, Former Collegiate Baseball Player

No doubt every athlete experiencing repeat injuries fears the possibility of the premature end of their athletic career. Enduring years of injury, re-injury, therapies, surgeries, and rehab can take a toll on an athlete, both physically and mentally. It’s always a potential reality that one day, it becomes clear that the comeback they’re looking for is just not going to happen. That day came for Jonathan Giles his sophomore year of junior college and would cost him the scholarship he had bee...

Jackie Allibone, Former Mid-Fielder, Temple University Lacrosse

Working through a significant injury with a long recovery process is difficult for any athlete. Hundreds of hours in rehab, sitting on the sidelines for months on end, feeling a measure of disconnection from teammates, coping with depression and both internal and external pressures to return to play ready to contribute to the win — all can take a significant emotional toll. When Jackie Allibone made her comeback from a torn ACL, only to face a second and more significant devastating knee inj...

Matthew Harris, Former Northwestern Football Player

Having experienced multiple concussions in his football career, Northwestern University cornerback Matthew Harris understood the risks he was taking returning to play. Following recovery from another severe concussion, Matthew knew he had some hard decisions to make regarding his future in football. As one of the top cornerbacks in the BIG10 and projected to be an NFL recruit, he made a personal decision to keep pushing towards his dreams and hoped to avoid further brain injury. Unfortunatel...

Matthew Harris, Former Cornerback, Northwestern University Football

Having experienced multiple concussions in his football career, Northwestern University cornerback Matthew Harris understood the risks he was taking returning to play. Following recovery from another severe concussion, Matthew knew he had some hard decisions to make regarding his future in football. As one of the top cornerbacks in the BIG10 and projected to be an NFL recruit, he made a personal decision to keep pushing towards his dreams and hoped to avoid further brain injury. Unfortunatel...

Chrissy Papetti, Former Performing Arts Athlete

Following a severe labrum tear that derailed her dancing career in college, Chrissy Papetti spent the next several years working through an intense physical recovery on top of the emotional journey following the loss of her craft. Many athletes sidelined by injury experience an additional layer of complexity in their transitions forward - the physical rehabilitation to rebuild a normal quality of life. Walking around and exploring a new city, going on a daily run, or playing a pick-up game o...

Chrissy Papetti, Former Performing Arts Athlete, University of Michigan

Following a severe labrum tear that derailed her dancing career in college, Chrissy Papetti spent the next several years working through an intense physical recovery on top of the emotional journey following the loss of her craft. Many athletes sidelined by injury experience an additional layer of complexity in their transitions forward - the physical rehabilitation to rebuild a normal quality of life. Walking around and exploring a new city, going on a daily run, or playing a pick-up game o...

Chrissy Papetti, Former Performing Arts Athlete, University of Michigan

Following a severe labrum tear that derailed her dancing career in college, Chrissy Papetti spent the next several years working through an intense physical recovery on top of the emotional journey following the loss of her craft. Many athletes sidelined by injury experience an additional layer of complexity in their transitions forward - the physical rehabilitation to rebuild a normal quality of life. Walking around and exploring a new city, going on a daily run, or playing a pick-up game o...

Val Jones, Former Competitive Figure Skater

With her sights set on earning a spot on the Olympic ice skating team, Val Jones was devastated when at 18, she was told she could never skate again following one severe knee injury. Just one triple lutz gone wrong and everything she had worked for her entire life was stripped away. Without any support resources or someone to help her talk through her loss, Val found herself processing that deep grief on her own and struggled for years to come to a place of personal acceptance and hopefulnes...

Sports Medicine Careers and the Sidelined Athlete

Sidelined from their sports due to injury, many athletes begin to wonder, “What’s next for me?” When that sidelining event corresponds with reflections about future career choices, many find a logical connection to the field of sports medicine. Sports psychology, orthopaedic medicine, cardiology, athletic training, and physical therapy are all great fields to consider for sidelined athletes who want to stay involved in sports and make a difference in the lives of other athletes who experienc...

Dexter Hollingsworth, Quarterback, St. Martin High School

His freshman year of high school, Dexter Hollingsworth faced the complex decision to discontinue football due to a series of concussions that left him vulnerable to long-term brain health damage if he continued. Dexter shares about this difficult decision and how the support of his family, team, and coaching staff enabled him to find a positive path forward. Dexter speaks about the transformative power of staying involved in the sport he loved through alternate avenues. Now a graduate assist...

Dexter Hollingsworth, Former Quarterback, St. Martin High School

His freshman year of high school, Dexter Hollingsworth faced the complex decision to discontinue football due to a series of concussions that left him vulnerable to long-term brain health damage if he continued. Dexter shares about this difficult decision and how the support of his family, team, and coaching staff enabled him to find a positive path forward. Dexter speaks about the transformative power of staying involved in the sport he loved through alternate avenues. Now a graduate assist...

Johnathan Franklin, Running Back, Green Bay Packers

It's been said that there's no testimony without a test. For NFL Player, Johnathan Franklin, that test was an unforgiving and brutal reality check that one play can destroy an athlete's career at any moment's notice. Listen to accomplished RB, Johnathan Franklin's testimony about the after-math of learning that no doctor would ever clear him to play again after a spinal contusion suffered in a game against the Minnesota Vikings his rookie year in the NFL. By all accounts, Johnathan appeared ...

Johnathan Franklin, Former Running Back, Green Bay Packers

It's been said that there's no testimony without a test. For NFL Player, Johnathan Franklin, that test was an unforgiving and brutal reality check that one play can destroy an athlete's career at any moment's notice. Listen to accomplished RB, Johnathan Franklin's testimony about the after-math of learning that no doctor would ever clear him to play again after a spinal contusion suffered in a game against the Minnesota Vikings his rookie year in the NFL. By all accounts, Johnathan appeared ...

Alissa Boyhtari, Hockey Player, Multi-sport Athlete

The story of how one major concussion sidelined Alissa Boyhtari's hockey career and forced her to carve a different path forward. Alissa shares her experience with concussions during her teen years and the pressure she felt to "tough it out" as a competitive athlete. Hear her story of her path to brain health recovery and how she resolved to listen to her body instead of the external pressures to get back to "normal life". Alissa shares how her faith enabled her to solidify her personal self...

Alissa Boyhtari, Former Hockey Player, Multi-sport Athlete

The story of how one major concussion sidelined Alissa Boyhtari's hockey career and forced her to carve a different path forward. Alissa shares her experience with concussions during her teen years and the pressure she felt to "tough it out" as a competitive athlete. Hear her story of her path to brain health recovery and how she resolved to listen to her body instead of the external pressures to get back to "normal life". Alissa shares how her faith enabled her to solidify her personal self...

Jonathan Meldrum, Former Offensive Tackle, Syracuse University Football

The story of Jonathan Meldrum, a former Syracuse offensive tackle. Jonathan opens up about his battle with depression during his collegiate career as well as the depression he experienced after becoming permanently sidelined due to repeat knee injuries. An NFL hopeful, Jonathan talks about his struggle to accept the reality that his playing days were over and discusses the impact of the loss of the affirmation, accolades, and identity that his athletic achievements produced. A candid look at...

Sidelined Stories: Jonathan Meldrum, Offensive Tackle, Syracuse University Football

The story of Jonathan Meldrum, a former Syracuse offensive tackle. Jonathan opens up about his battle with depression during his collegiate career as well as the depression he experienced after becoming permanently sidelined due to repeat knee injuries. An NFL hopeful, Jonathan talks about his struggle to accept the reality that his playing days were over and discusses the impact of the loss of the affirmation, accolades, and identity that his athletic achievements produced. A candid look a...

Sidelined Interview: Sue Rosenstock

Chris Norton, Safety, Luther College Football

The story of Chris Norton, a former football player for the Luther College Norse. His career ended when he became paralyzed while making a tackle during a kick off. He was given a 3% chance of ever regaining movement below the neck, but, through grit and determination has chosen to move forward and defied those odds. Today he manages his non-profit foundation and works full-time as a motivational speaker. Hear Chris' incredible story of how he gained a greater appreciation for life and learne...

Chris Norton, Former Safety, Luther College Football

The story of Chris Norton, a former football player for the Luther College Norse. His career ended when he became paralyzed while making a tackle during a kick off. He was given a 3% chance of ever regaining movement below the neck, but, through grit and determination has chosen to move forward and defied those odds. Today he manages his non-profit foundation and works full-time as a motivational speaker. Hear Chris' incredible story of how he gained a greater appreciation for life and learn...

Brett Ball, Former Guard, South Carolina Basketball

The story of Brett Ball, a former basketball player for South Carolina who was forced to quit competition in college after being diagnosed with a heart condition. Brett opens up about her resistance to getting help from a sports psychologist, her anger with God, and the significance of finding other sidelined athletes to talk to. 

Brett Ball, Guard, South Carolina Basketball

The story of Brett Ball, a former basketball player for South Carolina who was forced to quit competition in college after being diagnosed with a heart condition. Brett opens up about her resistance to getting help from a sports psychologist, her anger with God, and the significance of finding other sidelined athletes to talk to.

Devin Hedgepeth, Cornerback, Oklahoma State Football

The story of Devin Hedgepeth, a former football player who last played football for Oklahoma State. Devin was a projected first round draft pick for the NFL but was forced to walk away from football after one too many Achilles tears. Devin speaks of the heart break and identity loss of having to leave his sport and the resiliency he acquired in overcoming his new reality as a sidelined athlete.

Devin Hedgepeth, Cornerback, Oklahoma State

The story of Devin Hedgepeth, a former football player who last played football for Oklahoma State. Devin was a projected first round draft pick for the NFL but was forced to walk away from football after one too many Achilles tears. Devin speaks of the heart break and identity loss of having to leave his sport and the resiliency he acquired in overcoming his new reality as a sidelined athlete.

Erin Walter, Former Professional Soccer Player

The story of Erin Walter, a former midfielder who last played for the Saint Louis Athletica. Repeat injuries sidelined Erin permanently and altered the course of her life. Erin speaks of the hardships of having to walk away from a life of soccer and the freedom she experienced when she learned to redefine her value in something more secure. Erin shares how the qualities that made her a top competitor translated to her pursuits in the business world.