West Bolivar player with prosthetic leg living his football dream
On Friday (Sept. 13) at Wilson Field at Leland Young stadium in Rosedale, West Bolivar High School sophomore Dallas Edwards entered the second half of the team’s football game with O’Bannon ready to play his position
The 15-year-old, who plays both linebacker and defensive end, moved into action on each play he was in the game. Edwards, who wears number 30, went about his night as a solid, hard working competitor would in a physical gridiron contest. Edwards being able to play football is a miracle in itself, as he has a prosthetic left leg.
Edwards, who is originally from Peoria, Ill, was born with a club foot which was amputated when he was three-years-old. Since then, he’s had to have a prosthesis to properly move. He first started playing football when he was seven-years-old.
Football is a sport Edwards has always loved and had a passion to play.
“I love football so much I decided to play it when I was young,” said Edwards. “I played pee wee and was actually good at it. I put my heart into it and practiced everyday. I did my best. I practice a lot to get myself better knowing I have a prosthetic.”
As Edwards matured, he had to have a second amputation on his leg at Shriner’s Hospital in Shreveport, La.
Susan Leslie, Edwards’ mother, said the way Edwards’ leg was growing was the deciding factor into getting a second amputation.
“They did a fixator to straighten his leg out to fit inside of a prosthesis to get more friction, but it didn’t work,” said Leslie. “He had to get a second amputation. Once he got that he was able to fit into a prosthesis.”
Edwards doesn’t have any regrets about the second surgery.
“It’s been a rough journey,” said Edwards. “In 2022, I had to get a surgery to try and keep the rest of my leg. I tried and tried, but it wouldn’t work. When 2023 came, I decided to amputate the rest of it. I feel like I made the right choice in doing that.”
Edwards didn’t play junior high football due largely to his recovery process. This is his first year of high school ball.
In Friday’s game, Edwards brought an O’Bannon player to the ground and almost blocked a punt. The biggest thing that’s helped Edwards in football is the development of his upper body strength.
“My upper body strength comes from me doing upper body workouts,” said Edwards. “I’ll do push ups, and I’ll lift weights. When I was in Houston over the summer, I was with my brother. He had a lot of weights in his gym. He’s big on working out and that’s how I would condition myself.
“As far as bringing people down, I know that my lower half is shifting over to the left half, so I use what I can at the top. I have a lot of strength and that’s what I use it for.”
Even though he isn’t a starter, Edwards has seen action in all three of West Bolivar’s games this year. The sensation Edwards feels every time he hits the field never gets old.
“It’s very exciting,” said Edwards. “I wouldn’t say it’s a hard thing. I work myself so it wouldn’t be hard. I push myself everyday. I have a great support system, and I try my best to be on the same level or above other people that have both legs.’
Edwards’ drive and work ethic are noticed in a major way by West Bolivar Head Football Coach Jeremy Banks.
“Dallas is a warrior,” said Banks. “I appreciate Dallas motivating our other kids to be out here. He’s got a prosthetic leg, and he goes harder than almost any of the ones I got out here. He’s never going to miss practice. He’s going to come to work everyday and bust his butt everyday. It motivates me to be out here with a kid like that.”
Leslie has been overjoyed watching her son play football.
“”Watching Dallas, who can sit down and complain about anything,” said Leslie. “This child has always been strong, positive, motivating and eager. Oh, my God! Nothing has stopped him. It just never ceases to amaze me. It’s a privilege and a blessing for him to be my child.”
Edwards has been living in the Mississippi Delta for five years. Leslie praised the school and the community for how they’ve treated her son.
“I really commend Rosedale’s coaching staff for giving him the opportunity,” said Leslie. “Rosedale has really utilized him and allowed him to live a teenage life. This is what he’s wanted to do and be able to evolve. The whole community stands behind him, and I think that’s great.”