2026 Male Comeback Athlete of the Year: Kylan Combs
UK HealthCare Sports Medicine is proud to present the 2026 Male Comeback Athlete of the Year Award. This award is given to a student-athlete who returned to play after overcoming adversity and injuries that limited their participation in KHSAA competition.
This year’s recipient is Kylan Combs, a junior at Breathitt County High School.
In May 2024, Kylan was involved in a car accident and spent several days on life support at UK’s Albert B. Chandler Hospital. Kylan suffered multiple skull fractures and needed surgery to save one of his eyes. His pelvis was crushed, and doctors didn’t know if he would ever walk again.
Through faith and work ethic, as well as the support of UK HealthCare’s expert care team and a community of loved ones around him, Kylan defied the odds. He didn’t just play football for the Bobcats this past fall — he led a dominant defense that helped Breathitt County reach the region finals for the first time in three years!
