I try to inspire my patients to make the best of their recoveries. I try to impart some wisdom I’ve picked up over the years with the goal of making them better than they were before. Often, however, I find that my patients are the ones who are an inspiration to me, and I am better for having known them. That was certainly the case as I came to know and work with local sports star Michael Mauti. The thing that I find so inspirational about Michael is that he has faced more than his share of adversity and with heroic strength he has risen to the occasion and overcome the challenge time and time again.
The major hurdles in Michael’s early college football career came in the form of tears to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament playing linebacker for The Penn State Nittany Lions. This devastating injury occurred on his right knee costing him his entire 2009 sophomore season and on his left knee costing him most of his 2011 junior season. After making a full recovery, Mauti was poised for a tremendous 2012 senior season, however, just before the start of the season the NCAA issued sanctions against the football program at Penn State ultimately punishing players that had nothing to do with the incident in question. This was perhaps Michael’s most courageous moment. He led his team in making a stand and sticking with his beloved university for the sake of everything that the Nittany Lions stood for, the players, the students, the alumni, and the traditions. He and his teammates made history that year for the character they displayed in fighting through undue adversity.
Unfortunately, in that 2012 season that enshrined his legacy in Penn State lore, Michael suffered his third ACL tear and this one would have been enough to sideline even the best athlete for good. The most devastating part of this injury was the timeline. Mauti would be entering the NFL draft after his senior year and the window to have an operation and recover was incredibly narrow. After a very difficult surgery involving many of the structures in his knee, Mauti returned home to Mandeville to complete his rehab and prepare for the draft. It was at that time that I had the opportunity to work closely with Michael. I remember the hardest part of helping him recover was holding him back. He was absolutely chomping at the bit! Against all odds, Michael was prepared to participate in the NFL combine and was later drafted by the Minnesota Vikings.
Still, the adversity kept mounting. The stresses associated with his journey to the NFL were taking a toll on his body and he developed ulcerative colitis. Staying hydrated and keeping his strength became an issue, however, as is characteristic of his dedication and determination Mauti kept on fighting, after two seasons with the Vikings he secured a contract with the New Orleans Saints! This disease process eventually resulted in a series of major abdominal surgeries and the removal of his entire large intestine. Yet again I had a front row seat to watch Michael Mauti, with true grit on display, recover, train, and make another miraculous return to playing football for his home team.
For these reasons and many more I have a signed game jersey hanging on the wall in the treatment room at Moshen. It reminds me of what an inspiration my friend, Michael Mauti has been to me, and it serves as a conversation starter, so I don’t miss any opportunity to share Mike’s story with my patients and perhaps share a little inspiration, too.
