Beau Rose, a third year starting defensive linebacker for Gibson Southern football, fell to the turf in pain after an injury against South Warren. The Gibson Southern Titans faced the Spartans on September 13, the team’s Homecoming game. During the second quarter, Rose went to plant his foot in order to change directions and pursue a tackle, while an offensive player was at top speed, hurtling towards his locked leg. They collided and Rose fell to the turf.
“I knew something was definitely wrong this time, by the way my leg felt when I walked,” Rose said. “I tore my ACL and a complex tear on my meniscus, with second degree sprains on my LCL and MCL.”
According to Rose, he went to the doctor the Monday after the game and had an MRI a week later. On October 9, Rose underwent surgery.
“Since my meniscus was a complex tear, it was not able to be supported when sutured, so it was snipped instead,” Rose said. “I still have most of it; however, it speeds up the process and increases the risk of a knee replacement much further down the road. Surgery went well overall. It was a weird experience since I have never had it done before, but the anesthesia was cool.”
These injuries have impacted Rose’s mental state just as much as his physical state, but he still tries to stay positive and remain involved with his team.
“It was hard not being able to play any more football my senior year, that really hurt; however, I still get to be a captain and leader for the team, so that is great,” Rose said. “I coach Colin [Scherer] who took my position and help around where I can.”
Rose still leads the traditional ‘IB’ chant the team participates in right before storming the field at the start of each game.
The injury of a key component of the team has affected Rose’s football family.
“Beau being out has really hurt the team,” Titan football senior Connor Wirey said. “We’ve had to work a lot harder on defense without another great player. Injuries suck, but we just have to continue to play for him, even if he isn’t on the field.”
Football, along with any contact sport, has the potential to see players hurt during the season.
“Unfortunately, in our game, injuries happen,” said Titan head football coach Nick Hart. “It is heartbreaking when it happens to a player during their senior season. It is even more heartbreaking when it is someone like Beau, who has poured everything he could into our program and himself as a player. He worked extremely hard to become a great football player.”
While Hart and the team never want anyone to lose playing time to an injury, Rose’s early end to his football career was even more disappointing.
“It was a difficult blow to our team, but, on a personal level, it bothered me so much more that he did not get to finish his senior year,” Hart said. “He had a great career at Gibson Southern, and one he should certainly be very proud of.”
Rose has been a competitor not only on the football field but also the wrestling mat and with Titan track and field. He will not be able to compete in those sports, but he has something new in his sights.
“Men’s golf has a lot less movement, possibly making it playable for me,” he said. “So, I will be trying out for that this year.”
After everything that happened, Rose was thankful to the Titan community for all of its support.
“I have received so many cards, texts and prayers, and I couldn’t feel more blessed for all the support,” he said.
