Thirteen months ago, senior Tyler Story watched his varsity football team play from the sidelines. This year, Story made a decision to write a new chapter.

“I always had the idea of returning to football,” he said.  “We visited my doctor (Daniel Cooper) and he asked me ‘What do you want to do?’ and I told him I wanted to play football again.”

In a home game against Gainesville, Sep. 2, 2011, Story took a direct hit to his right kneecap that hyper-extended backward 30-40 degrees. The following Saturday morning, an MRI showed two torn ligaments. Tyler visited Cooper, the orthopedic doctor of the Dallas Cowboys football team, five days after his injury. Cooper said Tyler needed immediate attention to a clotted artery that prevented blood flow to his foot. His leg was even at risk for amputation.

“At the time, we were concerned that he wouldn’t even be able to walk again,” Tyler’s mother Teena Story said. “He’s truly a walking miracle and I want God to have the glory for that.”

During Tyler Story’s recovery, members of the community worked together to organize fundraisers and benefits to help pay for any medical costs and to show their support. Students sent cards and the Chamber of Commerce hosted a silent auction of autographed sports items from local teams to NFL.

“The community outreach was incredible,” Tyler’s father and head football coach Kyle Story said. “It’s really eye-opening to see people care enough to raise money.”

The family anticipated that Tyler would never play football again. Their main concerns involved Tyler regaining mobility. For the rest of the semester, he stayed home to rehabilitate his leg. He later had a final knee surgery on Jan. 17, keeping him home an additional five weeks to recover.

“When I first started walking, my ankle swelled up like a baseball and it took me about three or for weeks to get used to walking again,” he said.

He returned to school a week before Spring Break.

“When I came back to school, it felt like being a new student,” he said. “I lost a lot of touch with my friends and I had new classes; I just wasn’t used to going back.”

After school, Tyler went to therapy sessions with physical therapist Brett Brazile and trainer Fernando Escobar.

“The job they did with Tyler’s rehab was unbelievable,” Kyle Story said. “At one point the doctors wanted to clip his Achilles tendon. If the surgery had gone through, then it would have been another six-week recovery. Because of the great physical therapy Tyler had, the procedure wasn’t necessary.”

Tyler continued to see Cooper for follow-up appointments. The idea of returning to football came about on June 9. Cooper wanted to wait another two months to discuss his possible comeback. On Aug. 15, Tyler took a two-hour fitness test to determine whether or not he had a future in football.

“Basically the test compared the strength between what my right ankle could do with my left one,” he said.

Cooper said Tyler was physically able to play football.

“Most people didn’t want me to play,” he said. “They would say things like ‘Are you really sure about what you’re getting into?’, but I’m not scared to play again.”

Tyler’s parents support his decision, however, they continue to worry throughout every game.

“I hold my breath when he’s out there,” Teena Story said. “I just pray to God as each play continues.”

Kyle Story has a new perspective on varsity football games.

“I used to get upset about embarrassing defeats, but then I think about Tyler and how grateful we are that he’s even walking,” he said.

Tyler quickly returned to August two-a-days.

“Getting back into football is tough because I have a hard time accepting that I’m not as physically well as I used to be,” he said.

On the third game against Springtown, Sept. 7, Tyler played for the first time since his injury. Channel 8 WFAA filmed a segment on his recovery that same day.

“A friend of ours emailed Ted Madden (WFAA news reporter), and told him Tyler’s story,” Kyle Story said. “We got a call saying that he wanted to come out and tell his story.”

After high school, Tyler plans to pursue a career in aviation. For now, he is living a lifelong dream.

“I’ve grown up wanting to be a varsity football player my entire life,” he said. “I’m really grateful that I’ll be able to finally play.”