Teddy Denver’s high school football career ended in one of the worst ways possible. A broken leg in Salisbury’s season finale left his football career in doubt.

But Denver wasn’t ready to give up his passion on the gridiron. The former Falcon, who committed to play football at Lebanon Valley College, finally cracked the field during his junior season with the Dutchmen.

“When I broke my leg during the Southern Lehigh game, I thought I was not going to have the opportunity to keep playing,” Denver said. “It was great to get this opportunity and I don’t know what I would do without football. I’m glad I was able to come back from that injury.”

After that injury a little over three years ago, Denver spent his first two seasons at Lebanon Valley College playing a key role in practice, but did not see actual game action until this past fall. He understood his role in his freshman and sophomore seasons as he worked back from the injury.

But Denver got his chance in 2017 and played a key role for the Dutchmen. He saw time on the field goal block team in seven games and kick return in five for Lebanon Valley this past fall as the Dutchmen went 5-5.

“It was great to be able to contribute to my team this year,” Denver said. “As a competitor, you always want to be on the field and helping out. My first two years I understood my role was to help the team out in practice. I always wanted to give my teammates the best look to prepare them for game day. It was tough to not be on the field, but it was still great to be a part of the team.”

For someone whose career was in jeopardy just a short while ago, getting on the field once again was already a win for Denver. It’s even a bit more satisfying after he injured his hamstring in 2016 and missed four weeks due to that injury as well.

Denver was a part of a Lebanon Valley team that finished 5-5 and two of its losses were by eight points or fewer. The Dutchmen also went 5-4 in MAC play this season.

“My junior year went well,” Denver said. “I played on special teams for most of the year on kick return and field goal block. We had a great season and were competitive in most of our games.

“We were happy with how our season played out. As a team we are always wanting more. We believe we are a championship team, and we are always looking for more. The MAC was very competitive this year and I enjoyed fighting for postseason play.”

Denver, a junior fullback, played behind a strong core of fullbacks throughout his first three seasons. While it kept him off the field at that position, he was able to learn from those leaders to hopefully prepare him for a strong upcoming senior campaign.

“We have some great fullbacks ahead of me,” Denver said. “Our starting fullback was a first team all-conference player. I love my teammates and all the fullbacks are great guys.”