Attention football fans, Quincy Notre Dame Raider number 34 is back in the game!

“I know it’s going to be surreal,” 17-year-old Jordan Stickler said about his return to the football field for his senior season. He missed last season due to a knee injury. “Football means everything to me.”


Jordan Stickler - Quincy Notre Dame Football

A running back and defensive end for the Raiders, the last time Jordan played was April 10, 2021. 

“I got the ball and was running it up the sideline and it was a blind side hit,” he vividly recalls. “The other player just dove at my legs. My leg planted in the ground and I fell. I tried to get up, but I couldn’t.”

“It’s a mother’s worst nightmare,” said Jordan’s Number One fan and mother, Jennifer. “I’ve watched my son play football since he was in the first grade. In 10 years, I cannot think of a single time that Jordan could not get up and walk off the field after taking a hit.”

The hit tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus in Jordan’s right knee. The ACL prevents the shin bone from sliding out in front of the thigh bone and provides stability for rotation of the knee. The meniscus is cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between the shin bone and thigh bone.

“The pain was pretty bad,” Jordan admitted.

Jennifer received suggestions to take her son to Columbia, MO, to see an orthopedic surgeon. She called and was told the next available appointment was in a week.

“I couldn’t stomach having to wait that long for answers. So, my next phone call was to Blessing,” said Jennifer. “Jordan’s appointment was scheduled the next day with Dr. Acevedo. Prior to seeing him, I did my due diligence and researched Dr. Acevedo and his credentials, education, and experience. I was impressed with the information I found.”


Josue Acevedo, MD - Blessing Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Josue Acevedo, MD, is certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons. He completed a sports medicine fellowship at the University of Miami/Jackson Health System in Florida and trained medically with the University of Miami Hurricanes football team as part of his fellowship.

Dr. Acevedo reconstructed Jordan’s ACL using a technique he learned during his University of Miami fellowship that results in fewer complications than the traditional method, and repaired the meniscus.

Even more than the quality of medical care that her son received, Jennifer was impressed with Dr. Acevedo’s support of her son as a person and athlete. A few days before his surgery, Jordan was on the sidelines of a QND football game, on crutches, devastated that he could not play but supporting his team. Dr. Acevedo, who serves at times as team physician for the Raiders, was also on the sidelines. He sought out Jordan, put his arm around him and spoke to him.

“Though I could not hear their conversation, I could clearly see that Dr. Acevedo’s presence and encouraging words brought Jordan a great amount of peace that night. I was moved and became tearful after their exchange. I thought to myself, ‘Where else would we be able to experience this level of care? This demonstration of empathy and compassion? The answer is nowhere else but our hometown,’” Jennifer said.

“It meant a lot to me,” Jordan added about his sideline talk with the doctor. “It showed me that even outside the office, he really cares about each and every patient, like they are his own.”

“Dr. Acevedo’s simple gesture sealed the deal on our complete faith and trust in Jordan’s care during his surgery and throughout his recovery,” she concluded.

Jordan did his part, too.  He spent his junior season on the sidelines, rehabilitating his right knee and is now ready to rejoin his teammates.

Kick-off!

“It’s going to be just amazing,” Jordan said of his return to the field.

For more information on Blessing Health’s orthopedic care, go to blessinghealth.org/ortho.