Rocklin High Quarterback Takes First Steps After Large Tumor Removed From Leg

ROCKLIN (CBS13) — A Rocklin High quarterback took his first steps on Monday after breaking his femur in last Friday's football game.

If not for that painful injury, doctors may not have discovered the large tumor in his right leg.

Doctors told Max O'Rourke the tumor they found growing inside his leg had weakened the bone, which caused it to break. They also told him that around one-in-three people have benign tumors in their body and are walking around completely unaware of it.

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"It helps out a lot knowing my recovery is already taking place," he said.

He may be laid up in a hospital bed as he heals from surgery, but he's still sporting his Rocklin High football pride.

Up until this point I had only missed one game, ever, my entire football career," he said. "It just sucks not being out there anymore."

The 17-year-old starting quarterback was injured after a relatively routine tackle from a defender during Friday night's football game. He was taken to the hospital for a broken femur where doctors made the troubling discovery from his x-rays.

"It's surprising just knowing that that's been in my body this whole time and I've been able to fully function without noticing it," he said.

Doctors discovered the tumor was benign, but the injury has Max on the sidelines during his senior season.

"I didn't expect to be in this situation, but here I am, and you can either live with it or you can just be angry at the world," he said. "And I chose to live with it and be positive."

His high-school football career may be over, and his future as a college football player is on hold, but he's not letting this break break him.

"God has a plan for me and, basically this injury happened for a reason," he said.

Max hopes to be out of the hospital by Tuesday and hopes to be active this Winter in time to get some playing time on Rocklin High's basketball team, where he's the starting point guard.