Told not to play, Halls TE/DE Avery Robertson chose the hard path to play football

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Avery Robertson cherishes every football game he plays.

The Red Devils senior could be playing his final game Friday night if the Halls football team loses to visiting Seymour in the regular-season finale.

It’s not how Robertson wants his Halls career to end. Not after what he’s been through. He wants a playoff run.

Time after time in his career, Robertson’s patella – commonly known as the kneecap – became dislocated while playing football.

In other words, it popped out.

Left knee. Right knee. Left knee. Right knee.

Robertson estimates it happened eight to 10 times, starting during a game in the sixth grade.

“A lot of people told me not to play,” he said. “The doctor said I could keep playing. I figured I’d keep playing because I don’t know what I’d do if I wasn’t.”

There was a catch.

Robertson needed surgery on both knees to have his patella realigned, but it couldn’t be done until the growth plates in his knees closed.

He had the first surgery on his left knee shortly after Christmas of 2017 by Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic’s Dr. Gregory Mathien.

Not until he completed rehabbing his left knee could Robertson have surgery on his right knee. It was performed in spring of 2018.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13 All about the process. (Part 1) pic.twitter.com/hgdbsUhkdF

— Avery Robertson (@avery80_) August 27, 2018

Robertson started practicing midway through the summer – although he didn’t take part in scrimmages – and was ready for the Aug. 17 season opener against Powell.

The 6-foot-2, 250-pound tight end/defensive end started on offense and defense for every game of the 2018 season, and he’s started every game both ways this season.

Robertson often thinks of his long journey through knee problems.

“I have a lot,” he said. “(Dr. Mathien) just told me it was how I was born. Thankfully I had surgery and it hasn’t happened since.”

A couple of times when his patella became dislocated, it did damage to other parts of his knee.

Like the first time it happened. Robertson was playing for Halls Middle School when he was in the sixth grade, and when his patella dislocated, it broke another bone in his knee.

Another time when it happened, a tendon was torn in his knee.

“I’d probably have to miss half the season almost because it damaged other stuff in my knee,” Robertson said.

Other times when his kneecap dislocated, trainers would re-set it, and Robertson would go to KOC the next morning to have it X-rayed and evaluated.

It became unheard of for Robertson.

“I’ve heard of kneecaps popping out of place, but I’ve never heard of it happening to both knees multiple times,” he said.

Halls coach Scott Cummings said Robertson’s successful surgeries and recovery couldn’t happen to a better person.

“Avery’s that quiet guy. He doesn’t say a lot, but he leads by example,” Cummings said. “Those are the type of guys you want in your program. You know he won’t miss a rep in the weight room or at practice. He does the right things on and off the field and makes good grades. He’s just all-around good people, besides being a good football player.”

Robertson would like to play college football if he gets an opportunity, but for now, his focus is Friday night’s game.

Halls (6-3, 3-2 in Region 2-5A) can secure a No. 3-seeding for the playoffs with a victory over Seymour (5-4, 2-3).

There is one scenario in which the Red Devils could be left out of the playoffs – if they lose to Seymour and Gibbs (6-3, 3-2) beats Central (8-1, 4-1).

“Hopefully we win,” Robertson said. “I’d rather just win and not worry about if Gibbs wins or loses. Plus, it’s Senior Night. That means a lot.”

Especially after what he’s endured.