Two summers ago, Mesa senior Andrew Steiner went out to play a harmless game of pick-up basketball. He was looking forward to his sophomore football season, and had a good shot at earning a defensive spot on the varsity. Late in the fall of 2021, varsity head coach Chad DeGrenier liked what he saw in Steiner, who was brought up from the freshman team.

"Andrew got into some games and he impressed me playing safety," DeGrenier explained. "He was a little skinnier then but he's an athletic kid and has a nose for the football."

But Steiner would never step on a football field in 2022. 

It turned out that 'harmless' pick-up game of basketball landed Steiner in the hospital with not one, but two broken legs. 

"I still dont' understand why or how it happened," Steiner recalls of that fateful day. "I went up off my left foot for a layup, but I felt something bad in both legs before I even came down. It was the front part of both legs just below the knee. The doctors figured I must have already had some major stress there or something already going on."

Broken Legs; Unbroken Spirit

It's not unheard of for football players to recover within the same season from a broken leg, depending on its severity and type of break. What is uncommon is breaking both legs simultaneously, Even more grueling and frustrating is the rehabilaitation process in such a scenario.

"What Andrew went through is a testament to his toughness and will," coach DeGrenier said. "First of all, I'm sure he wondered if he would ever play football again, I think we all did. He was in a wheelchair for a while before he could even attempt to use crutches or boots, he really had to learn to walk again."

As the 2022-'23 school year started, Steiner was forced to miss the first month back on campus. He was stuck at home while using a wheelchair to get around. He stayed current with classes online before getting back on campus in September. But that was no easy feat. Before he could even use crutches to get around, it took time to stand upright, and eventually it required a walker with wheels to help him start taking slow steps again.

 

                                               

No Pain, No Gain, No Football

Eventually Steiner was fitted with two walking boots along with crutches to help the process and a return to campus. But unlike common leg or foot injuries on one side, getting around on crutches with two broken, healing legs required perserverance and grit.

"Even when I could finally use the boots, it really was a learning process to walk again," Steiner explained. "When you're off both legs for a given amount of time, post surgery with screws in the bones, it was difficult process just to walk again."

After grinding through the fall and watching the foootball team win its first playoff game in over a decade, Steiner knew he still he had to keep battling. Rigorous rehabbing through the winter saw Steiner reach the point where he could walk on his own and rebuild muscle memory. All of this while trying to maintain the football weightlifting program as much as physically possible.

"It was a lot of work," Steiner admits.

It was late in the spring of 2023 when Steiner decided to try and run again.

"It was the end of my sophomore year, so I started going out to the football field and track, and with light jogging," Steiner said. "By early summer I had gotten a trainer and really started trying to get in shape again."

It was barely over a year that passed since Steiner had broken both of his legs, but by August of 2023 he was able to suit up and get back with his teammates going full contact.

Andrew Steiner (#80) in action vs. Mountain View in 2023. Then a junior, he returned to the starting lineup just over a year after breaking both legs. (Photo by Daniella Trujillo/BJ Media)

Junior year: Playing through Pain

Steiner's return to the team and and winning a starting position testified to coach DeGrenier's earlier description of Steiner's tenacity as a player and a person. "He had to overcome alot, and he's done it while maintaining a GPA near 4.0," DeGrenier added. He's going to have a chance to play college football. It might be on a lower level but his skill and academic success is helping that process."

The tackle football season is a physical test of endurance and toughness for nearly everyone playing. In 2023, Steiner endured the wear and tear of the season while still fighting to get back to full strength. It's nearly impossible to over the course of the season, but Steiner battled through it. 

"There was a lot of pain at times and during certain games, especially when there was any contact below the knees," Steiner said. "They'd have to pull me out alot, but it was still great to start and contribute."

In nine games, Steiner finished with 52 total tackles, four sacks and even caught a few passes. This year Steiner is finally feeling like himself again legs included.

"I'm back to where I can say I'm at 100%, so I'm excited for my senior year and having the best season possible.

                                        Another Bad 'Break' for Jackrabbitts 

DeGrenier will not make excuses out of injuries, but the last week has not been kind to Mesa. Senior quarterback and leader Nico Fitzgerald suffered a broken leg during a pratice last week. It is likely he will miss the entire season. This is a big blow for Mesa, as Fitzgerald stepped in halfway through the season and performaed at a high level. In six starts he threw for nearly 1,000 yards with an incredible 80% completion rate. This included a 'perfect game' by quarterback standards, when Fitzgerald completed all 24 pass attempts for 250 yards against Mountain View. 

"I feel for Nico," DeGrenier said. "He played so well last season and became extremely accurate. Having that skill and experience at quarterback is huge. But we have to do the best with the rest of our QB's keep going."

 

Ben Stapley is a staff writer for AZPreps365. For human interst story suggestions and other related news, contact him @ bstapley@azpreps365.com or 480 295-9125.