Tylin McDowell
Defensive Lineman, Mount Pleasant High School
The Thomas Davis Comeback Player of the Year Award is presented annually to a senior
football player who has excelled on the gridiron while also overcoming medical adversity. The
2024 recipient is Tylin McDowell, a defensive lineman for Mount Pleasant High School.
The day after McDowell’s last game of his sophomore season, a blood clot formed and traveled
from his neck through the carotid artery to his brain resulting in a stroke. Following immediate

surgery to remove the clot and treatment involvin anticoagulants, he remained unable to speak
or move the left side of his body.
While hospitalized for over a week, McDowell worked with the physical therapy staff on
overcoming his loss of speech and ability to walk. Before leaving the hospital, he was speaking
clearly with only a slight inability to enunciate and was walking without assistance.
Over the next several months, McDowell met regularly with speech and physical therapists. As
a precaution, he was prescribed blood thinners to avoid further clots. Because of the extensive
treatments and rehabbing, McDowell missed his entire junior season, but he was determined to
return to the team for his senior season.
Thanks to McDowell’s hard work and his incredible medical team, he was able to return to play
in August of 2024. Through the first six games of the season, Tylin played in 50% of the team’s
defensive snaps and recorded twelve tackles and 2 tackles for loss.
McDowell has been a true inspiration for the team throughout his journey returning from a
stroke. He leads by example every day through his actions and work ethic. McDowell continues
to be evaluated and treated to ensure he will have no long-term medical effects.
The Charlotte Touchdown Club and Novant Health Sports Medicine are proud to present this
year’s Thomas Davis Comeback Player of the Year Award to Mount Pleasant High School’s
Tylin McDowell.