Central Florida QB Milton to attend Fiesta Bowl
Nearly two weeks after Central Florida quarterback McKenzie Milton was released from the hospital following a gruesome knee injury, his mother said on Thursday her son would attend next month’s Fiesta Bowl against LSU.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Teresa Milton said her son was undergoing another surgery Thursday “to get him more comfortable” She also wrote: “He will be at the Fiesta Bowl to cheer his teammates on to Victory!"
Milton was injured in the second quarter in a win over South Florida on Nov. 23 and watched his teammates beat Memphis in the AAC Championship game at his home in Orlando, Fla.
ESPN reported that Milton already has undergone three surgical procedures on his right leg and will have reconstructive knee surgery in four to six weeks.
Shortly after undergoing surgery, Milton’s parents released a statement updating the results of an emergency surgery on their son’s leg. According to the statement, the blood flow in his leg was restored and a nerve was injured but intact.
Milton was hit while scrambling and his leg was bent in an unnatural direction. It was such a gruesome injury that ESPN did not show any replays of the play.
No. 8-ranked UCF (11-0) takes a 24-game winning streak into the Fiesta Bowl. The Golden Knights have not lost a game since Arkansas beat them 31-13 in the Cure Bowl on Dec. 17, 2016.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Milton completed 166 of 279 passes (59.5 percent) for 2,577 yards and 24 touchdowns with five interceptions in his first nine game this season. He had 71 touchdown passes in his career, including 37 last season.
“Mckenzie and our entire family are so touched and grateful for the prayers, support, and well wishes,” said the statement from the quarterback’s parents shortly after the injury. “McKenzie is in good spirits and has a very positive attitude. He looks forward to cheering on his teammates in their quest for another conference championship this Saturday.”
