After Losing His Leg at 10-years-old, Gavin Burns Joins High School Football Team and Inspires Others
His prosthetic didn’t stop him—Gavin Burns became a symbol of strength for all
After losing his leg, Gavin Burns felt discouraged. But after bravely joining his high school football team, he became an inspiration to his entire community. Here, he shares his story with Woman’s World.
“There’s another deep infection…I’m afraid we’re going to have to amputate your son’s leg,” the doctor explained to Jackie Burns as she fought back tears of devastation.
In June of 2018, her 10-year-old son Gavin was in a horrific lawn mower accident. He had been care-flighted to a local children’s hospital, where he underwent several surgeries trying to save his left leg and foot. But nothing had worked.
Gavin ultimately had to have his leg amputated from the knee down. After 17 days in the hospital, the boy was finally able to go home. I’ve got to stay strong for him, Jackie thought, her heart breaking.
The following year, Gavin was homeschooled as he juggled physical therapy, doctor’s appointments, adjusting to a prosthetic leg and another surgery. When he was able to return to school, he had to rely on the aid of a wheelchair in addition to his new leg, so he was nervous about blending back in with his peers.
“You’re still the same Gavin inside even though you may look different to other kids,” Jackie said, hugging him tightly. “You can still do anything you put your mind to. I believe in you!”
As the years rolled by, Gavin held on to his mother’s words, and by high school, he had become stronger, more confident and more agile using his prosthetic leg.
A new dream
One day, the 17-year-old came into the kitchen with a smile. “Mom, I want to play football.”
Jackie froze and blinked nervously. “Are you sure?”
Gavin raised his chin with confidence and answered loud and clear, “I am. After all, you said I could do anything!”
With the love and support of his mom, his father, Jason, and his brothers, James and Jason — who agreed to join the team with him — Gavin tried out and went on to play safety at Lewiston-Porter Senior High School in Youngstown, New York. Soon, Gavin amazed everyone as soon as he stepped on the field.
“So many kids are looking up to you,” Coach Derek Tracy told him.
Before long, people started to come forward to let Gavin know how much his courage meant to them. I guess Coach Tracy was right, Gavin thought.
Even adults told Gavin he’d inspired them to do something they never thought they’d do. And with every new encouragement, Jackie’s heart filled with joy.
“Gavin never ceases to amaze me,” she says. “He believed he could, so he did!”
“We can do anything we put our minds to,” Gavin says again with a smile. “I hope others see me and begin to believe that too!”
This story originally appeared in the February 23, 2026, issue of Woman’s World
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