Dual-sport high school athlete makes comeback after being hit by drunk driver
On Erin McDonell’s 14th birthday, he never thought he’d spend the year learning to walk again. McDonell, a freshman at Cardinal Newman High School, was hit by a drunk driver while riding his bike in May 2021. Another cyclist died in the accident. McDonell broke several bones and lost most of his left leg.
OAKLAND Calif., – On Erin McDonell’s 14th birthday, he never thought he’d spend the year learning to walk again.
McDonell, a freshman at Cardinal Newman High School, was hit by a drunk driver while riding his bike in May 2021.
Another cyclist died in the accident.
McDonell broke several bones and lost most of his left leg.
But the multisport high school athlete didn’t let that stop him from pursuing his goals.
“Sport didn’t really cross my mind,” McDonell said. “I wondered how I would live my life and how it would affect me.”
McDonell, was forced to shift his focus away from sports and toward recovery.
After numerous operations, he was fitted with a prosthetic leg.
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“I had a lot of problems with my leg,” he said. “I had to learn to walk without pain, get my body used to it.”
After months of painful rehab, McDonell made a shocking return to the football field.
“I was very excited to be out there and couldn’t have been enjoying myself more,” McDonell said.
He’s also on the high school wrestling team and a force to be reckoned with on the mat.
McDonell even got advice from one of his wrestling heroes, Anthony Robles.
Robles was an NCAA wrestling champion who was born with one leg.
McDonell said Robels told him to increase his physical strength, never give up and never give up.
McDonell hopes to continue to excel on the field and mat and to make his coaches, friends and family proud.
“He hasn’t given up on the circumstances he’s faced, he’s mentally strong and I just couldn’t be prouder.”
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