Lucky Break: Rocklin High Football Player's Injury Reveals Tumor
ROCKLIN (CBS13) – Max O'Rourke spent most of Sunday in surgery and is still recovering.
But even though his injury has him out for the remainder of his senior year season, his parents are calling it a blessing in disguise.
"Nightmare, tears, emotions, everything in the world," said Michael O'Rouke, Max's dad. "It's hard for me to even talk about it now."
UPDATE: Rocklin High Quarterback Takes First Steps After Large Tumor Removed From Leg
Max was playing an incredible game Friday night against Rocklin's rivals, Del Oro High School, when a defender tackled him to the ground.
"[Max] went to throw a pass away so he didn't get sacked, and the kid – the defender – kind of jumped on his shoulder and kind of did a little step and turned, and went down on the ground," Michael said.
Max was taken to the hospital for a broken femur bone. But that's not all that showed up on his x-rays.
Doctors discovered a large tumor near Max's hip.
"At this point now we are going from 'he may never play again' to 'that's nothing.' Now we are dealing with a possible future life changing event," Michael said.
Max was rushed into surgery where doctors found the tumor was benign.
"Everything happens for a reason," Erin O'Rourke, Max's mom, said.
"A tragic moment to a blessing in disguise," Michael said.
Max's senior year season may be over, but his parents say that broken bone was his lucky break.
"His legs going to be that much stronger, he's going to be that much more driven and I think he has been a huge inspiration to his teammates," Erin said.
Doctors say that tumor is what caused his bone to weaken and then break. It could take several weeks before Max will be on his feet again. But he is expected to make a full recovery, and doctors say he will eventually be able to play contact sports again.