McKenzie Milton surgeon, father weigh in on improbable comeback

After almost three years away from football, McKenzie Milton led Florida State on a comeback to force overtime against No. 9 Notre Dame.

Milton was the starting quarterback for UCF during its undefeated season in 2017. The quarterback passed for 4,037 yards, 37 touchdowns. He played 10 games the following season and won all of them before suffering the leg injury.

Before Sunday’s return, the last time Milton played football was November 23, 2018. That day he suffered a leg injury that caused artery and nerve damage, a dislocated knee and torn ligaments. He nearly had to have the leg amputated.

On Sunday, Milton led the Seminoles down the field on his first drive after entering late in the game, handing the ball to running back Treshaun Ward for the score. On his second drive, Milton made plays to bring them into field goal range. In a 10-play, 46-yard drive, Milton ran on his surgically repaired leg for nine yards on two plays.

Florida State ultimately fell 41-38 in overtime, but the return of Milton made the game a must-watch event.

An emotional return

“It was emotional, surreal. I keep thinking, ‘Did this actually happen?'” Dr. Bruce Levy told ESPN’s Andrea Adelson.

Levy is one of the surgeons who helped Milton return to the field. He recalls the discussions he had with the Milton family following the injury.

“We had that conversation the first day I met him,” said Levy. “I said, ‘Even if you miraculously get back and do what no one has ever done before, you’ll have to ask yourself, do you want to?’ What was amazing is there was never a hint of a hesitation. He said, ‘Doc, I know I’m playing football again. I just know it.'”

The fact he has a chance to play football again is nothing short of a medical miracle.

“I remember the day when we cleared him [last year] and I was looking through every single report, from his triple jump, crossover jumps, vertical heights, isokinetic testing — everything you can imagine we test athletes to return,” Levy said. “He didn’t just pass, he passed with flying colors. [They were] incredible numbers, and I said to him, ‘I have no reason to hold you back. You’ve done everything we’ve asked you to do. Now it’s just a matter of do you want to do this?'”

Milton did not just want a comeback, he wanted to earn it. As he worked his way back last year, Milton got an opportunity to take a snap but declined former UCF coach Josh Heupel’s offer. He decided that if he was going to play, it would come at a meaningful moment.

“He never had any doubt, and that was the most important thing,” McKenzie’s father Mark Milton told ESPN. “We never stopped encouraging him to realize whatever dreams he has. We told him to go for it.”