Milton takes part, throws in spring practice non-contact drills

UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton dropped back, leaned on his surgically repaired right leg, planted and fired a pass during a spring football practice.

Video of the pass was shared on the UCF football team’s social media account and immediately inspired warm responses from fans grateful to see the quarterback back in action after suffering a catastrophic leg injury during the 2018 season finale.

Milton met with doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota in January, getting clearance to remove a bulky brace that forced him to walk with a limp.

After painful physical therapy sessions designed to break up scar tissue around the areas where he had multiple surgeries, he gained enough strength to use a lighter brace that allowed him to participate in more athletic activities. He referred to the milestone as one that allowed him “feel more like an athlete.”

The difference has been remarkable during spring workouts, with Milton first shocking fans by walking with a normal gait on the practice field and now firing throws to his teammates during non-contact drills.

UCF coach Josh Heupel said in February the transformation was thrilling once Milton was cleared to take off the heavier brace that was protecting his leg but heavily restricting his movement. Milton went from doctors in Tampa worrying they might have to amputate his leg the night of his injury during the Knights’ game against rival USF to enduring multiple surgeries and physical therapy sessions to reach this point in his recovery.

“I’m so excited for him,”

Heupel said of Milton. “You get the news and you’re able to talk with him over the phone and he comes back from the visit and the next day he’s doing squat jumps; those hurdles are phenomenal. … Those are great moments in the mountains he’s had to climb from where this whole thing has started. I don’t think any of us can appreciate how far he’s actually had to come — the mental toughness to just get up and fight every day.”