Athletic trainer gets Thomasville High School linebacker back in action

When Thomasville High School sophomore and outside linebacker Elijah McNeair, 15, fractured his right ankle and tore some surrounding ligaments in the second quarter of a Friday night football game, athletic trainer Kaila Nyepon was one of the first people at his side.

“Miss Kaila helped carry me off the field. She was there, telling me it was OK,” McNeair said. “She helped me rehab both physically and mentally.”

Nyepon is there for student athletes like McNeair because of Novant Health’s sports medicine program that provides athletic training services to area high schools. She works with students competing in all sports, all year long.

“I’m here to help all students whether they are athletes or not,” she said. “The kids have grown to accept me and understand me and know they can come by the training room for help.”

McNeair suffered the horrific injury in September 2023 when a teammate fell on his leg during a play that went awry. Nyepon popped his ankle back into place and put his leg in a splint for stabilization. He was transported to Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center’s emergency department. An X-ray revealed the break and ruptured ankle tendons. The next day he went to see Dr. Steven Potter, a surgeon at Novant Health Orthopedics & Sports Medicine - Thomasville.

Potter explained that McNeair’s fibula – the small bone on the outside of the ankle – was fractured, requiring surgery. “The fibula was fixed by putting a metal rod inserted through the middle of the bone, holding the fracture in place,” he said. “I then used a device called a tightrope, which is like a cinch, to stabilize the torn ligaments. There have been scientific studies that show some athletes are able to return to activity faster when the rod is used instead of a plate and screws to fix the fracture.”

A faster recovery and return to sports – especially football – was definitely what McNeair wanted. He’s a four-sport athlete who has dreams of earning a football scholarship to a home-state school. His season was over, but he still wanted to be there for the team.

"I was trying to get back – I wanted to be back playing football,” he said. “We were already in the playoffs, and I was like, ‘I gotta help my team.’ Even though I wasn’t on the field during playoffs with my team, I was still on the field with them every day at practice, working, trying to get back on the field with them.”

Nyepon’s support made all the difference. She helped McNeair with strengthening his calves because they were different sizes after being in a support boot for so long post-surgery. She gave him exercises and stretching bands to use at home. Besides the physical recovery, McNeair had a mental battle to win, said Nyepon.

“He was just down on himself. He didn’t think he was going to be able to come back the same because now he has metal in his foot so he was questioning whether he would be as strong or as fast,” she said. “And I’m telling him, you can be all of that plus more if you put in the work. It’s easier said than done to go to rehab and do all the exercises and come back better than ever because of the mental block you build up in your mind, but Elijah worked hard.”

After staying dedicated to his rehab, McNeair wrestled in the winter but skipped track – running hurdles was his specialty – when Nyepon suggested giving his healing ankle the continued rest it needed. His right ankle, the one that was broken, is the one he lands on when he clears a hurdle. He’s been on the baseball field this spring playing centerfield and pitcher.

While McNeair acknowledges his commitment to recovering was critical, he credits the athletic trainer and the support she provides, on and off the field. “Without Miss Kaila, I wouldn’t be as strong as I am, and my injuries would have been a big setback for me,” he said. “She’s a big help. She’s a big part of my life – her, my coaches, my mom – I just appreciate them all helping me.”