In today’s episode of This Hits Different, Shelby Cassesse tells the story of a Sunny Anderson, who is still recovering from a gun shot wound suffered last year, and is inspiring teammates with his mission to get back on the field this season.
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Aliquippa’s Anderson overcoming shooting, inspiring teammates
During a summer football practice at Aliquippa High School, senior Sunny Anderson watches from a chair on the sideline. His love for football over the last 15 months, not any different than if he was playing.
But the reality is, life has been dramatically different for Anderson since May 26, 2021. The night sports were ripped away from a star athlete, the life of a child nearly taken.
Anderson was driving his car in Aliquippa that night, when bullets started flying around him. He was shot in the back and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, the feeling in his legs gone.
Even 15 months later, there are few answers. Anderson and his family don't know why, or who.
What Aliquippa head coach Mike Warfield knows is the impact it had on his team.
"I was devastated," Warfield said. "I think the whole team was devastated. Right after that we had a team meeting, and everyone was in tears because they knew what Sunny meant to the team."
Not entirely sure what the future had in store, Anderson got to work. Thanks to a rigorous therapy schedule and determination, he began to see progress.
"My therapists and stuff, I want to thank them too," Anderson said. "They got me here. When I get fully recovered, I really want to thank them because they really helped me. And I can see it."
And in the process, felt the power of the Aliquippa football family.
"The knew that fundraisers, stuff like that, that it would be real helpful," he said. "They do a lot for me, I ain't going to lie. They do a lot."
While the community supported him, his dedication to the team never wavered. He started showing up to practices and games as much as he could, aside from conflicts with therapy or days that just got particularly tough. His presence, a huge lift for the eventual PIAA champions.
"Just having him around brings some encouragement to the team," Warfield said. "It gives us a sense of 'we can't really take anything for granted because you never know.' But we all love him, and we know he loves us."
Anderson transitioned from a wheel chair, to crutches, and is now generally walking without assistance.
And the latest major victory -- working out again with his teammates from time to time. There's still work to be done, but the progress made a clear sign of perseverance in the face of unthinkable adversity.
"My right leg, I've got to get my ankle movement back," Anderson said. "And it'll go from there, because I'm already walking."
Football one of the driving forces in that effort. Though beginning high school as a member of the class of 2022, Anderson will complete his senior year this academic year, and with it, have another fall with his team. Last month, the WPIAL approved a rare extra year of eligibility for him.
It's not a given that Anderson will get time on the field this season, but that's the goal that keeps pushing him.
"I kept thinking like, I couldn't go out like that, without playing again," he said. "So I got to at least try to play again."
And a commitment that deeply moves his head coach and his team.
"We're probably, what, 15-16 months removed from him not knowing if he was going to live, not knowing if he was going to be able to walk again," Warfield said. "For him to continue to work shows you his mental toughness, shows you his mental strength, shows his family support that' he's received from his family, especially his mom.
"The whole community, really, has supported him."