‘It’s actually more than football’: Annandale athlete recovers from serious leg injury with community support

It was a moment of joy on the school gridiron.

“Even before the game started, I knew my brother was going to score,” said Isaiah Turner, running back for the Annandale Cardinals high school football team. “I just have this feeling.”

In the fourth quarter of the Oct. 22 game between Annandale and Spectrum, 14-year-old Josiah Turner, Isaiah’s brother, scored a touchdown.

He was wearing Isaiah’s No. 41 jersey.

“It was such a turning point,” says the boys’ mother, Joy. “Coach Walter allowed the kids to storm the field and took the penalty to bring joy to our family and community in this moment.”

“It took us by surprise,” smiled Mark Covall, Annandale’s head defensive coordinator. “Nobody on the coaching staff knew he was going to do it. And when that happened, and when they rushed onto the field, I still get goosebumps. It was a very important moment.”

16-year-old Isaiah watched online from his hospital bed.

“I was so proud of that moment because it was cool to see my brother be able to go in there and score a touchdown,” he told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS during a Facetime interview.

Isaiah is recovering from a serious leg injury he suffered when he was tackled during a game on October 11th.

He is currently being treated at CentraCare-St. Cloud hospital for the treatment of compartment syndrome, a painful condition caused by the pressure of internal bleeding.

“I think three guys grabbed him. At first he thought it was his left foot because his left foot kind of buckled under him,” explains Joy Turner. “It’s essentially a deep bruise that continues to swell through the muscle to the point where it’s so swollen that blood can’t get through it.”

Isaiah underwent six surgeries in about 12 days to heal the injury. His family hopes this latest procedure will be his last.

The 16-year-old learned lessons in teamwork on the football field. Now he is learning lessons about courage and positivity.

“I’m pretty sure if mom says so,” Isaiah says with a smile. “I always think on the positive side of things.”

Surgeons removed damaged tissue from the teenager’s injured right leg, but there is still a lot of physical therapy ahead.

“Honestly, I’m just looking at the end path. I know I have to do this,” Isaiah exclaims. “I just want this to be done so I can move on to the recovery process.”

His coaches believe it too.

“If given the chance, he’ll take it,” Kowall says. “This kid will do whatever it takes to get back to where he belongs.”

The community is rallying around Isaiah, including crowdfunding efforts.

His family says they are grateful.

“This is actually more than football,” says Joy Turner. “It’s about the community and the support they’ve given. And we couldn’t have asked for living in a better community and being where we are, so we’re very grateful.”

Isaiah is expected to return home from the hospital this week.

Hope and help for a young player on his path to healing who now knows he and his family are not alone.