Alex Ruiz: From High School Quarterback To Athlete And Sports Journalist

Alex Ruiz: Choosing a New Path After Football Injury

Mariah Wyckoff

January 11, 2019

Blogs

In October 2017, Alex Ruiz was living his dream as a varsity quarterback at Linfield Christian High School in Temecula, California. Then, during a routine game, one play changed everything. A tackle left him with a dislocated knee and a severed artery. Blood flow was cut off from his leg for more than 11 hours.

The injury left Alex with two choices: keep his leg and live with a permanent limp—or undergo an amputation and embrace the possibility of returning to sport with a prosthetic. For a young quarterback whose identity was tied to movement, competition, and the field, the decision was life-altering.

Ultimately, Alex chose amputation below the knee, determined that losing part of his leg would not mean losing his place in athletics.

A Quarterback’s Hero Steps In

Recovery was long, and Alex faced both physical and emotional challenges. But in May 2018, his story reached someone who knew what it meant to lead under pressure: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

At a Football ’N’ America youth practice in California, Brees surprised Alex by presenting him with a custom prosthetic leg, gifted through Football ’N’ America and the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF).

The moment marked a turning point. Alex was no longer defined by the injury but by the opportunities that lay ahead. With his new prosthetic, he returned to the football field and even completed his first touchdown pass as an athlete with an amputation.

Building New Connections

Alex’s journey also connected him with other athletes who had faced similar circumstances. Around the same time as his injury, Chicago Bears tight end Zach Miller suffered a nearly identical knee injury. The two formed a friendship, bonded by shared experience and a drive to adapt to their new realities.

These relationships reinforced for Alex that sport is more than wins or losses—it’s about community, resilience, and the strength found in shared challenges.

Life Beyond the Field

While his playing career shifted, Alex found new ways to stay close to the game he loved. After high school, he enrolled at the University of Southern California, where he is pursuing a degree in sports journalism with a minor in sports media studies.

He also serves as a recruiting assistant for the USC football team, a role that allows him to contribute to the sport from a different perspective. His experience as a player and as a person with an amputation adds depth to the way he sees the game—and the stories he hopes to tell as a journalist.

CAF’s Role in the Journey

CAF was part of Alex’s turning point through the prosthetic gift presented by Drew Brees. That moment represented more than equipment—it was an investment in possibility. With the right resources, Alex was able to continue his athletic journey, return to the field, and pursue a new future in sport.

Stories like Alex’s highlight CAF’s commitment to ensuring athletes with physical disabilities have the tools to participate, compete, and discover new opportunities.

Looking Ahead

Now a junior at USC, Alex has shifted his goals from touchdowns on the field to making an impact off it. His focus is on storytelling, journalism, and using his platform to elevate the voices of athletes who, like him, have faced setbacks but continue to move forward.

Alex’s journey is proof that even when one path closes, another can open—sometimes leading to opportunities bigger than imagined.

Be Part of the Movement

Alex Ruiz’s career as a quarterback ended sooner than expected, but with the support of family, mentors, and CAF, he found new purpose in sport and beyond. His story shows how the right support can transform setbacks into stepping stones.

You can help more athletes like Alex find their next chapter—by supporting CAF programs, volunteering, or amplifying athlete stories that show what’s possible.

Further Reading & Media