17-year-old Trooper Wright has stopped at nothing to get back to the sport he loves.
EDEN, N.C. β Six months ago, 17-year-old Trooper Wright lost a limb in a tragic accident. Since then, he has grappled with that loss while still keeping a positive outlook on life. Now, he’s back on the football team at Morehead High School.Β
In November of last year, after the last practice of the season, Wright lost his left arm in an ATV accident.Β
He has since made his way back to the team, with a different outlook on life, “the only limitations you have are the ones you place on yourself,” Wright said.Β
Wright said playing with one arm comes with a lot of adapting but he said there hasn’t been an obstacle he couldn’t tackle yet.
Something head coach of Morehead High School’s football team, Tony McCants, admires about the 11th grader, “a lot of people would probably sit back and question and say, ‘why me?'” McCants said.Β
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It’s a question Wright admits he’s asked himself… why me? But he’s had a change of heart, now asking just the opposite, “‘why not me?’ I’m just learning to embrace adversity cause it’s a privilege,” Wright said.
Resiliency is the word that comes to mind for McCants when thinking of Wright.
“I don’t know how many young kids would rebound from it the way he did. Honestly. You know, even some adultsβ¦ the mental fortitude that he has is tremendous,” McCants said.
“I was in a very dark place mentally and just didn’t know what my value was anymore but I was able to find that and just kind of got to be able to be back and have fun with the guys again you know, that’s what has my spirits up and them not treating me any different. I can just go out and play football with them,” Wright said.Β
Alongside Wright’s mental fortitude, his faith has also played a major roll in his positive attitude.
“I know that life is bigger than football and life is bigger than the accident because Jesus already paid for it. So, that’s what kept my spirits high and wanting me to continue to have that positive outlook because Jesus already paid for it,” Wright said.
As for Wright’s hopes for this season, he hopes his team makes it to playoffs, something Morehead hasn’t done in years.Β
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