Rams RB Faces Last Run Before Season-Ending Surgery: What It Means for the Team

Michael Barnett, a senior running back for the Maricopa High School Rams, experienced a career-altering moment during the team’s season opener against Trevor G. Browne High School in Phoenix on September 7. Despite being in a commanding position, Barnett’s day quickly took a turn that would affect not only his season but his entire football career.

On what started as a routine scrimmage play, Barnett was hit hard by a defender, bringing him to the sidelines. Initial assessments led trainers to believe he had merely strained his lateral collateral ligament and would return within a week. However, further evaluations confirmed a dire diagnosis: a torn ACL, a devastating injury in the sport.

“It hurt, but it didn’t hurt like it was season ending,” Barnett reflected, revealing his shock at the severity of the injury. His emotional response was palpable when he learned he needed surgery and would be sidelined for the remainder of the season. “I love everybody on this team,” he said, expressing his sorrow at not being able to finish the season alongside his teammates.

In a remarkable show of solidarity, Barnett was allowed to take the field for one last time during the MHS homecoming game against Gilbert’s Mesquite High School on September 27, a game the Rams won 42-14. With just seconds left on the clock, he took a knee, surrounded by teammates celebrating the moment as if it were a game-winning touchdown.

“Being able to take the field and know it was my last snap brought me a lot of closure,” Barnett shared, highlighting the emotional significance of that farewell. His bond with the team continues to flourish, as he remains an active presence at practices, offering unwavering support to his teammates.

By October 18, the Rams had found momentum, boasting a 4-2 record and ranking second in the 5A Sonoran Conference, perhaps influenced by Barnett’s encouragement. “They want me to keep coming to things,” he mentioned, noting that his teammates remind him he is still part of the squad.

Maricopa’s Head Coach Tevin Rutherford emphasized Barnett’s importance to the team’s spirit. “It has meant a lot to everyone to have Mikey supporting us despite being sidelined. He has always been a true team player,” Rutherford stated.

As Barnett approached his October 9 surgery, he grappled with anxiety yet remained optimistic. Plans for rehabilitation are already in place, aimed at facilitating a swift recovery. “There’s already a full schedule printed and a whole game plan,” he noted, determined to return to the field stronger than ever.

Football has long been Barnett’s passion, with family encouragement sparking his interest in the sport. “I tried it, I loved it, and it’s how I got here today,” he said, underscoring the significance of the relationships he built with teammates and the joy of victory.

Despite uncertainties about his college plans, Barnett is resolute about his future in football: “If I am given the opportunity to play, I’m going to take it. I hope to come back better than when I left and prove to everyone that you can recover from injuries like this and still play.”

Elias Weiss contributed to this report.