WRIGHTSTOWN, WI -- A Wrightstown teen critically injured last year while crossing Highway 96 in Greenleaf has made an amazing recovery.
And, as he explains, it's happened just in time for the homecoming game.
It's been a long road of healing for Jacob Peters, with support from friends and family. And just this week, doctors cleared the junior to hit the football field Friday.
At Wrightstown High School Thursday, nearly one full year after the accident "as of Tuesday," explains Peters just before football practice, "when I did get cleared, it was 50 weeks to the day."
Peters, now a junior, has worked tirelessly to prove he's made a recovery that, for some, is hard to believe.
"Show that I could still lift, still be able to run," explains Peters, "still compete."
Last year, Peters and his teammates were getting ready to toilet paper a friend's home just off Highway 96, which is a popular homecoming tradition.
That's when a car struck him at 40 miles per hour, sending him airborne for 39 feet. Peters broke his arm, leg, and fractured his skull, among other injuries.
But he says what scared him the most is not knowing whether he'd play football again.
"The first thing that I asked the flight nurse when I was in the helicopter was.. was I going to be able to play on Friday," recalls Peters, "and she said I wasn't going to be able to play for a long time. So.. it really scared me, and made me think that I wasn't going to play ever again. But, I'm happy that I got to prove some people wrong, and myself wrong."
Junior James Hansen was with Peters that night.
"He played varsity as a freshman, you know," explains Hansen. "He's a very great kicker.. great player."
He, along with hundreds of students and neighbors, rallied around Peters immediately after the accident, using "#PeteyStrong" and selling t-shirts with the logo.
Hansen says he never doubted peters' recovery.
"He'd be working hard, getting back out here. I had no doubt in my mind he'd be back out here at this time," says Hansen.
Peters isn't out of the woods entirely.
"If I get hit in the head, or have any type of head injury, I'm in the E.R. immediately," explains Peters, "and I can't play ever again."
During Friday's homecoming game against Marinette, he says he'll play smarter to avoid injury.
As for toilet papering houses this homecoming week, Peters says it's best to leave some traditions on the bench.
"I'm not doing that one again," adds Peters, laughing.
