Ocean City Soccer Player Recognized for Comeback From Horrific Injury

An Ocean City High School soccer player who recovered from a horrific leg injury and returned to the field in the fall received special recognition this week.

Ocean City High School senior George Meyers was recognized with the South Jersey Coaches Association’s Most Courageous Athlete Award. This recognition was highlighted during the school district’s awards night at its Board of Education meeting Wednesday night in the high school’s auditorium.

Meyers broke two bones and severed several arteries in his leg going after a ball during a game his junior year.  He was transported to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where he underwent surgery.

According to a Press of Atlantic City story on Meyers, doctors told him if he woke up from his surgery with a cast on, he could go home, but if there was no cast, he would be in the hospital for a while. When he woke up, there was no cast.

He underwent several surgeries and a lengthy rehabilitation at home. While at home, he maintained his status as an honors student. Doctors told him he would be lucky to walk again.

This fall, not only did he walk, he returned to the soccer field.

“He inspired his teammates when he returned to the field,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Taylor said during a presentation for Meyers Wednesday night.

He returned to the field 337 days after suffering his injury.

He not only returned to the field, he played aggressive soccer in his return, to the point where people were telling he “was crazy,” according to The Press of Atlantic City story.

When Taylor spoke of him Wednesday night, she referred to him as ““the definition of true strength and true grit.”

The Red Raiders went on a 10-game unbeaten streak, finished the season 19-5-1 and captured the NJSIAA South Jersey Group III championship.

He is now a commissioner with the Ocean City Summer Recreation Program Commissioner in Ocean City and will be attending Bloomsburg University in the fall. He hopes to someday be a nurse at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

For now, he’s finishing his senior year in high school.

Ocean City High School graduation is Friday, June 20.