Middle school sports can seem like a joke to some. But for others this is the time where  you’re working as hard you can to prepare for high school.

Kenneth Molano,an 8th grader at Red Oak Middle School was just like any other “All-American” boy playing football.He was a wide receiver for A team.During the third game of the season he suffered a very gruesome injury. After going up for a catch and landing wrong, Molano broke his wrist in two places. Life since that night has not been anything like what this football player expected.

Some of the things people take for granted such as carrying a lot of stuff and helping around the house became harder for him.He also explained that people started treating him more delicate, almost as if the injury had changed who he was.

How was he able to handle this injury?

”It was really weird at first,” Molano said. “I had to get used to only using one hand.” He couldn’t do easy things like play video games or even write with his predominant hand.

Now Molano has to carefully consider when, or if, he’ll continue with sports.

This injury took its toll on the student athlete and he claims his football days were behind him.

”I’ve broken my wrist twice,” Molano explained. “I don’t want to not be able to use my hand for another three months.”

Although he has chosen to give up football, Molano has some advice for ROMS sixth graders.

”Don’t ever underestimate yourself. You can do things you didn’t even know you could.”

Seeing his teammates make it to the championship level this year was bittersweet for the wide receiver.

“It hurts a little bit,” Molano explained. “Things were just starting to get good. But after some time I realized I had to support my team regardless of if I could play or not.”

Athletics issues aren’t the only problems Molano has had to deal with.

“I had to overcome my mom and dad getting a divorce,” he shared. That was probably the hardest thing I’ve gone through in my 14 years of life. Although dyslexia was a close second because it meant I had to work twice as hard as other students.”

Then there’s something all students face: trying to balance school and personal life. “Normally I try to do all of my work I need to do then I talk to my friends.,” Molano said. “This usually keeps me in line.”

Molano has even considered his long term future. “I want to be able to set up my family and make them proud, leave some type of legacy behind.”

Kenneth Molano’s journey shows that no matter what type of challenges you face in your life, you can overcome it with hard work and dedication.