Ahmad Hardy shares excitement for return to football after May shooting
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Ahmad Hardy isn’t sure yet when he’ll be back on the field for the Missouri Tigers, but when that time comes, he’ll be ready.
At a Sunday NIL event, Hardy spoke to reporters for the first time since he was injured in a May shooting in Mississippi. He was asked about the support he’s received and his reaction to head coach Eli Drinkwitz announcing that the MU running back was medically cleared.
“I think it was a great feeling,” Hardy said when asked about Drinkwitz’s update. “You know, I’ve been waiting on that feeling, so, you know, it’s just another obstacle… so just steady going through things, trying my best to get back on the field.”
At SEC Media Days, Drinkwitz explained that Mizzou is still dealing with some uncertainties when it comes to Hardy. While many football players deal with injury, not many are from a bullet.
“We anticipate that he will make a recovery,” Drinkwitz said on July 20. “What that recovery will look like after having a bullet strike you is still to be determined. We do not know exactly what the return-to-play progression is because there’s not a lot of literature on this. We are utilizing our medical team, along with our athletic performance team and nutrition, to approach this at a very good pace.
“We do anticipate that this return-to-play protocol could take anywhere between five to eight weeks. At the end of the eight weeks, we still don’t know what his recovery will be from ‘Is he the same Ahmad Hardy that was last year?’ My anticipation, what I’ve seen, the way he’s attacked his rehab, he’s going to be a better Ahmad Hardy than he was before. I’m very proud of the way he’s approached his recovery.”
Hardy acknowledged that this kind of rehabilitation has been different.
“It’s a little harder than, you know, when you’re hurt,” Hardy told reporters Sunday. “There’s a lot of obstacles that you go through, so I think I’m handling them pretty well, and I’m trying my best to get back on the field.”
Hardy has received lots of support following the incident, and said that he appreciates everyone who has reached out to him.
“I appreciate everybody’s support, you know, wishing me to get back on the field and things like that, so I just thank them for that,” Hardy said.
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Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaign of Fred Taylor.
