When Navy fullback Matt Hall took the ball in the second quarter of Saturday?s 28-23 win over East Carolina and rushed for four yards, it represented much more than just his first carry of the season. The play marked the official return to the football field for the 5-foot-10, 210-pound Hall after he suffered a severe, season-ending knee injury on Nov. 12 against Notre Dame.
In that contest, Hall tore his anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament and his meniscus. He had six touchdowns and rushed for 493 yards before getting hurt.
There were some thoughts that Hall may never play football again, but he is used to proving any doubters wrong. The Cape Coral, Fla., native has had seven surgeries through his football career, including one in high school, which led to an infection and almost forced him to have his leg amputated.
“I think those surgeries ended up turning out to be best for me because it made me a stronger person,” Hall said.
Hall added that past adversity helped him keep everything in perspective as he dealt with his most recent setback. Within five months of the surgery, he was sprinting and cutting and getting anxious to get back on the field.
“It?s amazing when I think about it,” Hall said. “I?m just blessed to have the great training staff and doctors that have helped me get back and weren?t afraid to push me along the way.”
One thing Hall hasn?t been able to do since coming back is move back to the top of the depth chart at fullback. That title goes to junior Adam Ballard, who racked up 489 yards in the final three games and finished with 668 yards last year.
Ballard further proved his worth during spring practice and during the two scrimmages during the preseason. At the same time, Hall was slowed during practice by a hamstring injury, which kept him off the field even more. Still, he is prepared to fill whatever role the coaching staff asks of him.
“Adam?s done a lot of great things and really stepped up his game after I got hurt,” Hall said. “I?m feeling great now, and I think we both have a lot to contribute.”
The Hall file
» Age: 22
» Height: 5-foot-10
» Weight: 210
» Hometown: Cape Coral, Fla.
» Did you know? He ran for a career-high 109 yards on 22 carries and had a touchdown in last season?s win over Tulane ? He had four carries for 27 yards, including a 19-yard run in Saturday?s win over East Carolina.
