Jordan Spurgeon
Tearing an ACL is one of the most difficult injuries for anyone to recover from. Whether they’re a world-class athlete, or an average gym goer, the process is similar.
For high school athletes, it can be scary for many reasons. But, trusting the process can reveal many new facts of life.
During his junior year, Chandler wide reciever Elias Gutierrez tore the ACL in his left knee in a game against rival Hamilton to close out the 2023 regular season.
“I ran a hitch and I planted wrong,” Gutierrez told me at CUSD Media Day. “It just popped. My leg went numb. After that it was just over with.”
Within three days he had an MRI, then underwent surgery two weeks later.
Smiling through the pain! 2025 is already locked in my sight #SOC pic.twitter.com/aWVEkkLiY3
— Elias Gutierrez (@E1ias14) November 18, 2023
He’s two weeks away from being cleared to play. Chandler opens its season in less than 30 days.
You’ll see the recovered knee, which he claims isn’t slowing him down at all.
“When I first started running, that was probably the fastest I’ve ever felt,” Gutierrez said when asked about the easiest part of his recovery.
90 days post acl/meniscus surgery…. #leaderofthepack #soc @SOC_CHSWOLVES pic.twitter.com/1eeSn38WyR
— Elias Gutierrez (@E1ias14) February 22, 2024
But, you won’t see the gruelling eight months of rehab, and the initial days of shock and hurt after his injury. Those were the days that shaped his life and athletic career going into the 2024 season.
“Honestly, I cried when I found out,” Guttierrez said. “Honestly I didn’t think I would be able to play football again. That was so hard in the first few days after getting hurt. But now I tell myself that my story is better because of what I went through.”
Luckily for Gutierrez, he had people to lean on. His mom and his teammates were his saving grace. His rehab work was done at Exos, with a great team of trainers every step of the way.
⏳⏳1 step closer.. @EXOSsports #sznseason #redemption #noexcusesjustresults @SOC_CHSWOLVES @chandler_wolves @GarretsonRick @TheBottrills @HIT4ATHLETES pic.twitter.com/A6sDqkb0FW
— Elias Gutierrez (@E1ias14) July 16, 2024
Of course, the downs were a lot to overcome. But the ups of overcoming this injury, have already offered new persepctive.
“My work ethic is better than ever, I used to have a way worse work ethic,” Gutierrez said. “This hasn’t been easy, nor uncomplicated, so it’s been a straight and narrow path to just grinding. I didn’t get to do anything, my summer was wiped out. I just spent time doing all the unnecessary but necessary stuff to get better, make my knee stronger than ever.”
Injuries are never fun to go through (obviously). But, as EG says, slowing down and taking them for what they are, is one of the most important things you can do in your life.
His ultimate goal this year: Help the Chandler Wolves win a title.
The process of tearing his ACL and now recovering from that, will help him be a vital leader who is mentally strong and an explosive playmaker for the Wolves.
