Wounded Warrior: Chris McGinnis
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CHENANGO COUNTY – Growing up as a part of the Bainbridge-Guilford athletic world, Chris McGinnis was an outstanding athlete in every sport he participated in. I would always read his name in the paper, whether it was a fall Monday morning, or the day following a game during basketball season.
When Chris graduated high school, he contiuned his football career in Rochester at St. John Fisher College, a highly respected program at the NCAA Division-III level. I looked for him after games as I went to an Empire 8 Conference rival, Alfred University.
Chris moved on from college and enlisted in the military in 2010, when he became a member of the United States Army.
“I decided to join the military because my mom was always a giving person I can remember growing up and still is today; she would give the shirt off her back to anyone whether she knew you or not. So, for me I didn’t want to be average and wanted to follow in my moms footsteps and give back to not only her and my family but others. What better way to do that than to pledge myself to defend this country and everyone in it?” said McGinnis.
In 2013, McGinnis was deployed to Afghanistan and spent eight and half months there. It was on this tour that is knee injury occurred.
McGinnis ended up damaging his knee significantly. “Due to indirect fire (IDF), insurgents lobbing mortars at us, it blew out my knee,” said McGinnis of his injury.
In order to fix the damage to his knee, McGinnis endured five surgeries that required a metal plate and seven screws. McGinnis was told by doctors that he would most likely never run again.
But knowing Chris’ determination, I wasn’t surprised when he said he’s continuing to prove them wrong as each day passes. They have told him that he is a candidate for a knee replacement, but is currently too young for one.
McGinnis spent three and half years at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, MD as he was stationed for his recovery. There, he rehabbed his injury in an adaptive sports program. That’s where he first heard about the Department of Defense Warrior Games.
“I started to get involved with [the games] and eventually went to regional trials.” said McGinnis. “I made the cut to final trials and was selected for Team Army.”
From June 30 to July 9, the 2017 Department of Defense (DOD) Warrior Games were held in Chicago, where more than 250 wounded, ill, and injured military service members and Veterans competed in the 8th Annual Warrior Games.
The games are held to help military members and Veterans continue to fight through their battles and injuries sustained from war and continue to pursue their competitive nature.
Organized by the United States Department of Defense, the Warrior Games brought together teams from the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and U.S. Special Operations Command, with teams from the United Kingdom Armed Forces and Australian Defence Forces making an appearance as well.
Seven adaptive sporting events were featured in this years Warrior Games. Chris partcipated in hand cycling, seated shot put and discus, seated volleyball, and wheelchair basketball.
I know it was a dream of Chris’ to appear on the number one sports network in the world, ESPN, as it is any athletes’.
Before the event, McGinnis and other members of the game had an opportunity to be on the ESPN campus in Bristol. It was there that he went to the set for an interview with former Comedy Central talk show host John Stewart, who hosted the Warrior Games, as well as sitting down for an interview on ESPN program, Outside the Lines.
“It was an incredible experience,” said McGinnis. “They covered our gold medal rounds for volleyball and wheelchair basketball. Provided great publicity for the event and the athletes.”
Chris, competing just like the days when I knew him, placed silver in shot put, bronze in discus. The Army team placed silver in volleyball and took gold in the United Center, also known as “The House that Jordan built,” as McGinnis called, it for wheelchair basketball. In thrilling fashion, Army topped military rival Navy, 56-55.
“This was an absolutely humbling experience for me, to see athletes from all over come together and showcase their talents from all they’ve overcome is amazing,” McGinnis said, when asked about his time. “I believe they are the true athletes. Yes there’s professional sports such as the NFL, NBA and NHL, but all these men and women have overcame adversity and are still go out in their respective sports and perform the way they do...it’s incredible.
“I’ve been blessed to have been selected to represent team Army in this years Warrior Games, and I have an eye on returning next year as well. I found a new passion for the same sports I use to play, just in a new light.”
When I asked McGinnis to offer a piece of advice for anyone who is going through some type of adversity, McGinnis said, “For anyone out there battling through tough times, I relate it to sports. Life is about highs and lows––you must find that balance. Learn to ride those highs and lows and you’ll be just fine.
As far as Chris’ progression with his knee, he said “I’m back moving around again almost like old times.”
Congratulations to you, Chris, and thank you for your service.
CHENANGO COUNTY – Growing up as a part of the Bainbridge-Guilford athletic world, Chris McGinnis was an outstanding athlete in every sport he participated in. I would always read his name in the paper, whether it was a fall Monday morning, or the day following a game during basketball season.
When Chris graduated high school, he contiuned his football career in Rochester at St. John Fisher College, a highly respected program at the NCAA Division-III level. I looked for him after games as I went to an Empire 8 Conference rival, Alfred University.
Chris moved on from college and enlisted in the military in 2010, when he became a member of the United States Army.
“I decided to join the military because my mom was always a giving person I can remember growing up and still is today; she would give the shirt off her back to anyone whether she knew you or not. So, for me I didn’t want to be average and wanted to follow in my moms footsteps and give back to not only her and my family but others. What better way to do that than to pledge myself to defend this country and everyone in it?” said McGinnis.
In 2013, McGinnis was deployed to Afghanistan and spent eight and half months there. It was on this tour that is knee injury occurred.
McGinnis ended up damaging his knee significantly. “Due to indirect fire (IDF), insurgents lobbing mortars at us, it blew out my knee,” said McGinnis of his injury.
In order to fix the damage to his knee, McGinnis endured five surgeries that required a metal plate and seven screws. McGinnis was told by doctors that he would most likely never run again.
But knowing Chris’ determination, I wasn’t surprised when he said he’s continuing to prove them wrong as each day passes. They have told him that he is a candidate for a knee replacement, but is currently too young for one.
McGinnis spent three and half years at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, MD as he was stationed for his recovery. There, he rehabbed his injury in an adaptive sports program. That’s where he first heard about the Department of Defense Warrior Games.
“I started to get involved with [the games] and eventually went to regional trials.” said McGinnis. “I made the cut to final trials and was selected for Team Army.”
From June 30 to July 9, the 2017 Department of Defense (DOD) Warrior Games were held in Chicago, where more than 250 wounded, ill, and injured military service members and Veterans competed in the 8th Annual Warrior Games.
The games are held to help military members and Veterans continue to fight through their battles and injuries sustained from war and continue to pursue their competitive nature.
Organized by the United States Department of Defense, the Warrior Games brought together teams from the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and U.S. Special Operations Command, with teams from the United Kingdom Armed Forces and Australian Defence Forces making an appearance as well.
Seven adaptive sporting events were featured in this years Warrior Games. Chris partcipated in hand cycling, seated shot put and discus, seated volleyball, and wheelchair basketball.
I know it was a dream of Chris’ to appear on the number one sports network in the world, ESPN, as it is any athletes’.
Before the event, McGinnis and other members of the game had an opportunity to be on the ESPN campus in Bristol. It was there that he went to the set for an interview with former Comedy Central talk show host John Stewart, who hosted the Warrior Games, as well as sitting down for an interview on ESPN program, Outside the Lines.
“It was an incredible experience,” said McGinnis. “They covered our gold medal rounds for volleyball and wheelchair basketball. Provided great publicity for the event and the athletes.”
Chris, competing just like the days when I knew him, placed silver in shot put, bronze in discus. The Army team placed silver in volleyball and took gold in the United Center, also known as “The House that Jordan built,” as McGinnis called, it for wheelchair basketball. In thrilling fashion, Army topped military rival Navy, 56-55.
“This was an absolutely humbling experience for me, to see athletes from all over come together and showcase their talents from all they’ve overcome is amazing,” McGinnis said, when asked about his time. “I believe they are the true athletes. Yes there’s professional sports such as the NFL, NBA and NHL, but all these men and women have overcame adversity and are still go out in their respective sports and perform the way they do...it’s incredible.
“I’ve been blessed to have been selected to represent team Army in this years Warrior Games, and I have an eye on returning next year as well. I found a new passion for the same sports I use to play, just in a new light.”
When I asked McGinnis to offer a piece of advice for anyone who is going through some type of adversity, McGinnis said, “For anyone out there battling through tough times, I relate it to sports. Life is about highs and lows––you must find that balance. Learn to ride those highs and lows and you’ll be just fine.
As far as Chris’ progression with his knee, he said “I’m back moving around again almost like old times.”
Congratulations to you, Chris, and thank you for your service.
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