Football player loses part of leg after an on-the-field injury

By Stephen Spiewak Oct 6, 2010, 11:09pm

Kansas football star Trevor McRoberts has left leg amputated above left knee following compound fracture sustained in Sept. 24 contest.

A Kansas high school football player who had part of his left leg amputated, partially because of an injury he suffered on the football field, spoke to reporters for the first time on Wednesday.

Trevor Roberts from McLouth (McLouth, Kan.) sustained a compound fracture in his left leg in a Sept. 24th game against Sunrise Christian Academy (Bel Aire, Kan.).

The senior receiver broke his tibia and fibula after registering 193 total yards and three touchdowns in the first half. 

“It didn’t hurt so bad, but when I looked down, my foot was pointing off to the side. It was just, like, dangling,” Roberts told the Kansas City Star.

He had surgery that night, as doctors inserted a titanium rod into Roberts’ leg.

Roberts was allowed to go home just two days later, but soon began to run a fever. A visit to the orthopedist determined that Roberts' wound had become infected and was gangrenous.



There was a chance Roberts would not survive the surgery at all, according to Jerry Humerickhouse, Roberts’ guardian.

“I was definitely scared,” Roberts told Fox 4 Kansas City. "He said there was a slim chance I'd be able to come out with my leg."

Roberts endured the surgery on Sept. 29, and the amputation, just above the left knee, was deemed a success. He's now hoping to be released from the hospital on Friday, in time for McLouth’s homecoming game against Horton. He's a candidate for Homecoming King.

"I'm definitely glad I'm still alive and it was just my leg," Roberts said. "I've just got to make the best of it."