A team is as strong as its weakest player, but when Varsity wide receiver Eduard Shmandura was injured during his first game of the season, he stayed strong. Eddie’s passion for football started five years ago when he joined the flag football team and found that he had a natural gift. Then, when he came to Charter and joined the JV football team, he immediately knew that he was going to be at home.
He has made memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. He explained how close the bond is between teammates, specifically explaining how close the connection is between a QB and WR. Eddie has been playing alongside our QB Ralph Diaz for 3 years. “Eddie will always have my back and I will always have his,” said Diaz. You have to be able to communicate with each other without words. Such a skill takes hard work and perseverance, but even through the challenges, Eddie never gave up. “You have to focus on what you can control instead of what you can’t,” said Shmandura.
This belief was truly tested at his first varsity game this past September. Towards the end of the game, Eddie was being passed the ball and went up in the air to get it. Meanwhile, a player from the opposing team was also going up for the ball. When they hit the floor, the other player’s knee landed on Eddie’s ankle, fracturing in two different places.
The recovery has been long and hard. He spent five weeks in cast, during which he struggled having to rely on crutches. “Crutches are the worst thing ever. I hated it” said Shmandura. As soon as he got his crutches off he began weeks of tedious physical therapy. But even when he couldn’t play, he still was part of the team. “He was on the sidelines being a supportive teammate,” said varsity football coach Christopher Haire. He would attend practices and be at games as a water boy, always cheering them on from the sidelines.
Eddie was finally able to return to the field for the team’s last game of the season against Stoneman Douglas. Even with his clear disadvantage during the season, Eddie has still proven himself to be an asset to the team. It’s clear that he will go far, both within Charter and beyond.