The reverend who doesn’t want to be a footballer

There are mornings when Ryan Hollingshead (4/16/1991, Sacrament, USA) wakes up with nightmares from the previous night recalling the day he was practically bedridden forever. Every painful pinch in the neck or back and every pain suffered in silence is proof that he is still alive and playing professional football. And he acknowledges that “I remember that moment and thank God for what he did, but I also hope and know that I enjoyed the best years that I have experienced in life.” MLS after that accident. I am grateful for all of this.”

MLS champion

And he is definitely experiencing a resurgence in his sports career since becoming the champion of the American Soccer League last year, this season he managed to reach the final again with Los Angeles FC. Signing of FC Dallas in February 2022 and with the former realist in a dressing room Carlos’ candlethe ex-azulgrana Elie Sanchez and with Chiellini at his side in defense, Hollingshead He has played 37 official matches (30 starts) this season (30 in 2022).

It was a pity not to add another star to his record after losing last Saturday’s final match Columbus Crew (2-1), he is happy to continue feeling like a footballer. Unquestionably back in the team Steve CherundoloHe is also a goal-scoring defender thanks to his excellent free-kick shooting: 14 of the 15 goals scored in two seasons came from set pieces. In this season he has scored 7: one goal against Houston In the semi-final they opened the scoring to reach the final.

After being placed third in the general classification with 52 points (four behind St. Louis) in the Western Conference and see how their arch rivals from LA Galaxy sank to the 13th position (out of 14 teams), they reached the final after losing Vancouver (best of three, 5-2/1-0), Seattle (single match 0-1) and Houston (single match 2-0).

First faith and then football

But all these achievements cannot come true if Hollingshead I would not have succumbed to the temptation of a universal 11-on-11 game with a contested ball. While studying at UCLA He played as captain for the university team, was named the best player of the university and was selected in the first round in mid-2013 in the 2013 NFL Draft. MLS. He strongly asked not to be chosen because he was clear about his vocation and did not want football to distract him: he decided to search with his brother. Scott a Christian church outside of Sacrament.

However, the FC Dallas He took a risk anyway, using a second-round pick for the 2014 season. No one could tell him because he was with his future wife. Taylorin a rural area of Haiti, offline, volunteering at an orphanage. When back to California He declined the offer. By autumn, the congregation already had about 2,000 faithful and Scott was able to hire another pastor, released Ryan to sign FC Dallas before the season starts.

Due January 6, 2017

At the end of the 2016 season (starting in February and ending in December), Ryan He was at home when he received a call from a friend who had been in an accident on the highway while a terrible snow storm was lashing the area. Anyone would suggest a friend call the emergency services but Ryan He didn’t hesitate for a moment. He and Taylor They found a babysitter and were about to reach the scene of their friend’s accident when the car in front of them skidded on the ice and crashed into the highway median. Hollingshead He stopped and ran across the road to help the driver when a second car lost control and crashed into him, landing head first on the hood and windshield and landing him several meters later on the asphalt.

When he arrived, he was sure he had broken both arms, but doctors attributed it to loss of sensation from broken bones and pinched nerves in his neck. Rushed to the hospital, unable to move and afraid for his motor skills, Hollingshead He played 18 games in 2017. “I remember him saying he wouldn’t be able to fully rotate his neck for a couple of weeks,” he said. Scott in an interview, “but the recovery is a miracle.” Although subsequent tests indicated his perfect recovery and he was being monitored by medical services, his wife Taylor He added that he still gets dizzy when he goes on the swing with his children. What he doesn’t feel is regret for going out that night. “It’s natural to come out and help,” he said. Ryan adding “I’m excited to continue playing. For me it’s a gift to continue in life.”