CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Watching Cole Hooker in practice, you'd never know the North Mecklenburg High School senior suffers from ulcerative colitis.
- Ulcerative colitis seemed like it would derail Cole Hooker's football career
- He has been able to return to the field thanks to a treatment called Remicade
- Hooker will now be participating in the first Queen City Senior Bowl in an effort to gain attention from college recruiters
The inflammatory bowel disease kept him off the football field his junior year. He was hospitalized again in March when his illness flared up.
"My chest felt like it was caving in on me, " Hooker said. "I felt my heart beat get a little faster. I don't think I even told my parents this but I actually felt like one of the times I went into the ER, I actually felt like I was on my way up out of here."
At that moment, Hooker wondered to himself if he was ever going to live to see his senior year in high school. He didn't divulge whether that fear of death was founded or just perceived, but one can imagine any teenager would be scared in that moment. Fortunately, his doctor prescribed a drug called Remicade.
Hooker now takes an infusion every six weeks.
The treatment allowed him to return to the football field where he was one of the team captains and starting cornerback.
"He led our team in interceptions," North Meck Coach Eric Morman said. "He was one of those kids excited about the opportunity to play. When you have to sit out you start to miss the game a little bit. So he appreciated every opportunity."
Hooker agrees.
"I took this (football) for granted when I had it, " Hooker said. "It just felt good to be back this year."
On Saturday, December 21, Hooker has one more chance to play football and possibly open the eyes of college coaches.
He will take part in the first-ever Queen City Senior Bowl at the Sportsplex in Matthews. The game features 80 of the top players in Mecklenburg County. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.