It’s become common practice for Hudson Brock now.
The McCallie senior, who is a captain on the soccer team, knows all too well the feeling after breaking a leg. He suffered his third leg fracture in the past 13 months during a recent contest against Chattanooga Christian.
After starting as a sophomore, Brock sustained his first break in the first home game of the 2009 season against Murfreesboro Riverdale. He later decided to play club soccer and reinjured the leg. After about four months, the senior returned and played about half the season before his newest break.
“It was in the same spot,” he said. “The mid-shaft tibia. I know so much about that area now, I should go into medicine. I’ve kept my water shield that I have to use in the showers, and — with McCallie being all stairs — I’ve learned how to use the crutch kicks.”
Brock loves soccer. It was that passion and that desire to play his hardest at all times that led to his final break in the CCS game.
“I’m heartbroken, having to sit,” he said. “I just love to compete. That’s why I broke my leg, because although I’ll always play hard, I’m not always smart.
“It’s been a big learning experience for me, though. I’ve been able to appreciate the game more by listening to the coaches. I’ve watched film with them, and I’m able to see things a different way.”
McCallie coach Tony Meyers always leaves Brock with a quote when they depart from practices and games. After a recent game, while Brock was leaving, Meyers called out to him, “Reach the Ark.
“It’s a quote about perseverance,” Meyers said. “When Hudson hurt himself as a junior, I felt sorry for him, but I knew he had his senior year. He worked his tail off to be ready: I made him do additional lifting. He did all that, then tried to do more. You can’t replace that type of leadership.”
Brock did not travel with the team after the latest injury, until a call from Meyers one day.
“I told him I wanted him on the bench,” the coach said. “He’s been through the wars with us, and his influence is vital to this team. He’s so positive.”
Brock, who will attend the University of Georgia in a little over three months, said that might be only a temporary home.
“The love of the game is still there,” he said. “I might go to UGA for a year or two, then transfer.
“I just don’t feel that I’m done yet.”