Photo: Chaiel Schaffel/WBZ NewsRadio
QUINCY, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The start of every new football season is always special for players and coaches, but none more so than this upcoming season for North Quincy's Cam Sampson.
The senior captain suffered a serious spinal injury last season making a tackle during an October game against Scituate.
After he was down on the field hurt, Cam remembered not wanting the injury to be his family's last memory of the game he loved. "I looked over at the sideline and I saw my Mom and my brothers' scared faces. I couldn't let that play be the last play they saw of me. I needed to get back on the field and play the full season."
He was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with an injury that doctors at Boston Children's Hospital feared would put him in a wheelchair for life. "They weren't telling me anything, but I knew the way they were doing tests that they didn't think I was going to be able to walk again," he said.
But after treatment, physical rehabilitation, and a miraculous recovery, on Aug. 9, Cam was cleared to play football again this season.
One week later, he was able to take part in the team's training camp. "In March they told me I had a chance (to play) because my back was healing in a certain way that they didn't think was going to happen," Cam said.
One of six brothers who all play football, Cam has a lot of people cheering for him including his teammates, coaches, and the entire community.
And he said his teammates have played a big role in helping his recovery. "The game means everything to me ... every season, football keeps me going."
Now that Cam's back on the field, this year's goals are to win the Patriot League and beat Quincy on Thanksgiving day.
WBZ NewsRadio's Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.
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