Archie says he “didn't want to betray his friends” at his beloved sports club
Bristol University student Archie Wills-Johnson suffered a serious spinal injury in 2022 which forced him to stop playing American football. Showing incredible dedication to his team, he has since returned to Bristol Barracuda as coach and team manager.
Archie enrolled at university in 2021 to study Biology and has started playing American Football, a club open to all students through the University of Bristol's Student Union.
But in the middle of a game in December 2022, Archie experienced a “huge electric shock” in his right arm. The “electric shock” turned out to be a herniated disc, meaning the cartilage between the vertebrae was pressing on his spinal cord. “It was really scary. I didn't know what was going on,” Archie recalled.
He described the stressful and frightening experience of being rushed to hospital: “The emergency medical staff were calling specialist operating theatres across the South West trying to find one that had space for me.”
Archie is still unsure what caused his serious injury: “We're still not sure what caused it. I had a slight nerve pain in my shoulder before I felt the shock, so it was probably wear and tear followed by the sudden impact, but it's difficult to pinpoint exactly.”
Archie was at risk of becoming paralysed if he continued to play contact sports and if his herniated disc was left untreated he would continue to receive electrical shocks which could lead to paralysis.
It was a dramatic change for Archie. Before his injury, he'd played contact sports at linebacker and safety and spent up to 20 hours a week playing them. Suddenly, he was battling chronic pain and losing both the sport he loved and his social life at the club.
Images from University of Bristol Barracuda Media Day – Bristol Barracuda Media Day – University of Bristol Student Union – 19th September 2023
Archie was released from hospital just three days before Christmas and, with the help of the NHS, the university's counselling team and the Student Health Service, has begun to recover both physically and mentally.
Archie was adamant that the injury would not force him to leave the Bristol Barracudas, saying he refused to “betray my friends or abandon my position as a committee member at the club”.
Archie returned to the Barracuda as a coach, helping with technique instruction and video analysis during sessions, as well as playing a key role in the behind-the-scenes management of the 60 players. Archie was subsequently elected Vice-President of the Bristol Barracudas and was instrumental in increasing female participation through flag football (a sport similar to tag rugby), including running well-attended tournaments.
This incredible dedication and perseverance earned Archie an 'Outstanding' PLUS Award from the university. The award recognises extracurricular activities such as volunteering, and of the 1,000+ students awarded each year, only eight are awarded at the 'Outstanding' level.
Via University of Bristol
Archie won in the 'Resilience' category – a well-deserved award given everything he has been through. Celeste Waller-Kerr, Bristol Plus Awards Manager, said: “We are really impressed with Archie and his determination to continue to give back to the club he loves.”
Featured image provided by University of Bristol.
Related articles recommended by this writer:
Ambitious start-up from Bristol University wins £100,000 prize after fierce competition
Bristol University student reaches Miss England final, promoting women in STEM fields
• “Green is my favourite colour”: What Bristol University students think about the recent election results
