Julian Howland, Quarterback of Freedom High School has played football nearly his whole life. He always understood the risk of serious injury but he did not let that deter him from giving 100% on the field each and every game.
It was during the first game of his Junior year against Apopka High School that Julian would be faced with the most daunting of challenges that a football player will face…a significant knee injury. A night that was supposed to be filled with the excitement of the start of a brand new year ended all too quickly for Julian. As he was returning a punt, Julian tore the Anterior Cruciate Ligament in his knee, commonly known as the ACL. Julian immediately knew he had a pretty severe injury as he was unable to put any pressure on his knee and could not walk on it under his own power.
A few days after the initial injury, an MRI exam confirmed that Julian had indeed torn his ACL and he would require an operation that would quickly end his Junior season, just as it had been getting started. Julian had the ACL repaired and then would embark on a 5 month rehabilitation process that hopefully allow him to return for his senior year.
“It was extremely difficult not to be around my teammates, I missed some of our biggest games that year and that is what made it so tough,” said Julian. His love of the game and commitment to his teammates helped push Julian so he could return
3 days of rehabilitation a week for 5 months helped Julian regain the necessary strength in his knee that he would need to compete as the necessary level. He was medically cleared to resume practices in May of 2008. “It was great to get back on the field,” said Julian. “I worked out a lot so I could get to that point and to be out on the field was just amazing.”
Julian is glad to be back on the field with teamates especially Alma Vaiaoga, who is rallying the troops before a big game.
When Freedom High School took the field against Bishop Moore to open up the 2008 Season, Julian Howland was back under center for the Patriots. “The support of my family and my teammates is what allowed me to get back to playing ball my Senior year,” said Julian.
Playing in one of the toughest districts in Central Florida, Julian led the Patriots to a 5-5 record this year, just narrowly missing the district playoffs. Julian hopes to continue his career in college playing football at the collegiate level. “I have been playing this game nearly my whole life, I just want to keep playing as long as I can,” said Julian.
Continue to check the “Florida Hospital Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation High School Connection” for more high school athlete player profiles.
