TYLER, Texas — An East Texas student is getting a second chance to be part of the sport he loves.
In 2021, Tyler Legacy sophomore Samuel Blas experienced a life-changing event in the blink of an eye.
"It just felt like a light switch, it just … completely turned off," Samuel said when describing when he lost feeling in his legs.
Blas was the victim of a shooting at a quinceañera. His injury led to permanent damage to his vertebrae.
"When we went to see him in the hospital, it hurt. Cause we knew he couldn’t be with us at school or on the team," said Jeferson Perez, Blas' friend and teammate who was also at the quinceañera.
After two years of therapy and homeschooling, doctors informed Blas and his family that he could return to the classroom. Once he arrived at school, head soccer coach Marty Germany wasted no time getting him back on the team.
"I know some people are making a big deal about us putting him in soccer, but the thing is he’s a soccer kid, and this is where he belongs," Germany said.
Germany even took things one step further, presenting Blas with his own locker and practice jersey to really be a part of the team.
Blas said one thing that was constant throughout his injury and recovery process was his positive attitude. And that’s something that his family really admires about him.
"And Sammy always told me, ‘Mom, why are you crying? Hey, I’m alive! And I’m going to take whatever it takes me until we can go home. So, he always told me that, so I said ‘Well that’s a good thing.' But you’ll never see Samuel cry, and he never complains that he’s in a wheelchair either," said Blas' mother, Rosalva..
Now, people can see Blas on the sidelines during morning practice every Tuesday and Thursday. He was given another chance to be a part of the sport he’s loved since he was 3 years old.
"Yeah, I was very excited to go see my friends, a little nervous. But now that I’m at school, it feels really good to come back," Samuel said.