‘The best thing ever happened to me:’ Former Delta high school football player discusses his past injuries

When former Delta football player Palmer Samuels first hurt his right leg, he was optimistic because he was only a freshman at the time. The second time it happened, he was a junior and was concerned.  

“I knew how long that journey was going to be already and how hard it was,” he said. “So that was pretty upsetting there for a while.” 

The current DePauw junior and Tigers’ tight end and receiver now believes it was worth it and that the path helped him become who he is today.  

“I honestly can say that the second time around was probably the best thing ever happened to me because it changed my perspective on things,” Samuels said.  

Samuels was in a Delta junior varsity football game against Greenfield Central in 2018 when he attempted to scramble. When he tried to cut back across the field, he said his knee 'exploded.’ After getting an MRI, it was revealed he had detached his ACL and also had a lateral tear to his meniscus. This was his first injury, and he was told he would be out for nine to 10 months.  

“I knew it was a long journey, but I didn't know what it entailed,” he said. “I didn't know I'd not be able to walk for six weeks after surgery. I didn't know that stuff specifically, and I didn't know too much about [the process].  

The rehabilitation process was unlike anything he’d seen. After the surgery, he spent weeks trying to complete one task: lifting his leg.  

“That was the hardest thing for me to do for a couple of weeks after surgery,” Samuels said. “It was hard enough getting the strength to my quad to even lift my leg off the table.”  

But as time went on, he started to progress. First, he could stand, which turned into walking. Following that, he began jogging until he could run. All of this transpired in almost a complete year.  

He admits that he didn’t take the rehab as seriously because he knew he still had three years of high school to suit up for the Eagles. But after being injury-free his sophomore year, it happened again to the same knee. This time, he tried to plant his foot to make a pass when he felt a similar ‘explosion.’  

Though Samuels hoped it was just a sprain, the news of it being a complete ACL tear hit him hard.  

“It was pretty hard to just kind of accept the fact that it was going to be another year for me to do anything,” he said. “So yeah, it sucked to sum that up.”  

According to a peer reviewed “journal from the British Journal of Sports Medicine,” the rehab process can be tough on someone’s mental health. The study said things like irritation, sadness and lack of motivation all could happen with this process. But Samuels had to go through it twice.  

However, this time, he was determined to do a few things differently. One, he said he went into the recovery with a positive attitude. Jen Detweiler is the athletic trainer at Delta High School and has been in the position since 2019. She said Samuels was ready to go from day one.  

“Palmer was optimistic, and he always came in ready to work. He had a great attitude and was willing to do whatever was necessary,” she said. “Sometimes that meant taking a break or skipping some exercises to rest and not overdo it. Sometimes that meant being willing to be pushed to get to the next goal.” 

She said he was willing to do anything, and that kind of mindset is ‘vital’ for athletes who go through the rehab process. Though she said his attitude was the thing that kept him going, Samuels believed she was a huge key in his journey.  

“She was amazing, and she would push me every day,” he said. “She had the best workouts, and we built a really strong relationship that we still have today. Every time I go home, I always have a 30-minute-plus conversation with her.”  

Another thing he wanted to improve was his work ethic. Since he couldn’t do anything else due to the injury, he believed this would be the perfect opportunity to sharpen his mental attitude.  

“You don't take anything for granted for sure [after that],” he said. “You realize that everything can be taken from you in a matter of seconds. The first time around, I did everything I had to do. The second time, I did everything I had to do twice as hard.”  

Intending to become a college football player, he wanted to make sure he would be ready for the opportunity. So, he switched positions from quarterback to tight end and receiver.  

Though it did work out, there were times when the process was hard to handle. According to an article from Nebraska Medicine, a non-profit healthcare company, athletes who go through a serious injury can have anxiety or even a lack of motivation after the incident.  

There were some tough moments from Samuels. From having to let his knee heal overtime and missing out on playing the sport he grew to love, he said it was hard at times  

But according to Chris Overholt, Delta High School’s assistant principal and former head football coach and strength and conditioning coach, Samuels never let that show in his attitude or around the team.  

“From personal experience, it can be tough to be an injured player on a roster,” Overholt said. “Many times, you can feel like a ghost. You’re there but not involved in the same activities as the rest of the team. Palmer’s support for the team never waned. I think he sent us as many encouraging text messages as we sent him. He continued to invest in his teammates throughout the recovery process.” 

  Overholt said the former Eagle did everything he could off the field to be ready. Whether that was staying around the team or doing every exercise imaginable, he handled the process like a champion.  

“The physical pain, long recovery process and mental toll are already known variables the second time,” Overholt said. “Many players walk away from their respective sports after the second injury. That is why Palmer is so special.”  

To Samuels himself, the reason was that he knew what to expect after the first rehab stint.  

“Like anything, you just keep going,” he said. “You accept it, and you move on.”  

Samuels said his advice to anyone who’s going through this or is about to start the process is simple.  

“Keep your head up and keep moving,” he said. “ Life is hard and adversity is real, but it'll make you better.”  

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