CAMP HILL, Pa. — The Camp Hill Lions football team is once again on the prowl, entering the back half of the 2024 season. At 3-2 (2-1 Mid-Penn Capital Division), the Lions are chasing another PIAA District III championship.
Senior leaders, like Jack Miller, are looking to leave it all out on the field.
“I just go 100 percent, do my job, and take care of everything," said Jack Miller, an offensive lineman and linebacker.
From the surface, Jack looks like any other kid playing high school football across Pennsylvania. But underneath his jersey, he is playing with an ostomy bag on his stomach.
“I treat it like it’s not even there; it’s like a part of my body," said Jack. "I don’t really worry about it too much when I’m playing sports because it’s tight and wrapped up.”
At six years old, Jack was diagnosed with Colonic Psuedo Syndrome—a rare colon condition that affects roughly 10 out of one million people. His parents, Dana and Adam, said he underwent 13 surgeries and lost several feet of his colon.
“That first surgery was great because we thought there was going to be an end and everything would be reconnected, and he would be on his way to a normal life," recalled Dana Miller. "That August, he went in for the reconnective surgery, and four days later, he went septic.”
“It was a point where we had to stick together as a family," said Adam Miller.
His parents said Dr. Domingo Alvear, a well-known pediatric and gastrointestinal surgeon, was the one who first diagnosed Jack. They credit him and his team for saving his life.
"Dr. Aviar’s team, and I keep mentioning his name, were insurmountable to Jack’s recovery," said Adam Miller.
Despite the obstacles, Jack was eventually cleared to play sports. He now contributes on the gridiron as an offensive guard and linebacker.
Jack also competes for Camp Hill's wrestling team during the winter.
“Can you imagine being told that you can’t play certain [sports] as a kid?" said Tim Bigelow, Camp Hill's head coach. "Just being told that saying, ‘I can’t play football or play other contact sports,’ and overcoming that fact to be able to do it is pretty amazing.”
Jack is now competing on the gridiron and tackling opponents the same way he's tackling life: going all out and letting nothing slow him down.
“Our motto was, ‘Your ostomy doesn’t define who you are, and it will never be your excuse,'" said Dana Miller.
“We’ve had really good seasons in the past and we’re going to have a good one this year, and hopefully go all the way," said Jack.