Forrest senior Ryan Hill tees off during a practice round prior to the start of the 2025 season. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
When Forrest senior Ryan Hill became the starting quarterback for the Rocket football program as a freshman three years ago, he stepped into a role people can only dream about.
But after injuries during his sophomore and junior seasons and a diagnosis of a chronic illness, Hill made the difficult decision to step away from the sport he loved throughout his life.
Although he made the decision to step away from football, Hill leaned on a different athletic avenue and will be a key component of the Forrest Rocket golf team during his senior season.
“My sophomore year, I tore my ACL and meniscus in my left leg. It took seven to nine months to get fully healed and cleared from that. We got a new coach and everything changed. I just remember I was on defense at Marion County and went to tackle a guy and tore my meniscus in my right leg. I got healed from that pretty quick. Tried to do everything I could and ended up just playing defense and a little bit of offense,” Hill said.
Even persevering through injury, something just didn’t feel right with Hill and after the season ended, a chronic kidney diagnosis changed his outlook for his own personal health, but also his athletic career.
“After football season, during Thanksgiving week, I got diagnosed with IgA neuropathy, which is a kidney disease. I was in the hospital for a week and lost 20 pounds. After I got cleared, I was on a ton of medicine and just didn’t feel the same. It took me a couple of months to fully decide on everything. I thought it would be better for my body and safety if I stepped away,” Hill said.
Even as a teenager in high school, making the mature decision to step away from the sport he’s hung his hat on throughout his childhood took a lot of maturity and class to medically retire.
While giving up a sport he had loved throughout his childhood was undoubtedly a difficult decision to ultimately come to, the competitive spirit within Hill was too wild to tame.
In addition to playing football, Hill also has spent years playing golf.
Although unable to officially join the Rocket golf team because of the scheduling conflicts with football season, Hill made the decision to still compete at the varsity level with the Rockets.
And nobody was happier to have Hill trade the pigskin for the irons than Rocket golf coach Andy Burkett.
“ I’ve known Ryan for a long time now and watching him play football was always really fun for me. His passion and work ethic have carried him a long way in life and in sports. So when I found out that he was making the decision to medically retire from playing football, I really felt for him. When he came to me in the spring and told me he was interested in joining the golf team, we sat down and had a really great conversation about be in able to find that competitive fire on the golf course and so far this summer, he has exceeded my expectations,” Burkett said.
“Coach (Andy) Burkett always wanted me to come play, but I’ve always had football and couldn’t. I figured I’d change something up since I didn’t feel safe playing football, to go play golf—something else I love,” Hill said,
While no longer the field general on the gridiron, Hill hopes his experience at the most important position on the football field can help carry over in a leadership role during his senior season with the Forrest golf team.
Although he’s new to the golf team, he’s not new to the players, coaches or community.
“I’m close to everyone on the team. It’s not like I’m coming into a new place and with new people. I know everyone and they know me,” Hill said.
Though his experience with team sports is linked to his time playing football, Hill said joining the golf team isn’t a huge adjustment in terms of environment, but more along the lines of a change of pace in competition.
“Just having fun with friends and everything like that and doing something that I really do love. Like football. I really did love it, but everything didn’t work out with it. Golf isn’t as impactful on my body,” Hill said.
“He has carried that same drive and determination that I once saw in football and has taken it to the links. I’m very excited to see what this fall has in store for him and how he can contribute to our team’s success this season,” Burkett added.
