Community Rallies for Former Ocean City High School Football Player

By MADDY VITALE Tyler McDaniels has enjoyed playing sports all of his life, and he’s good at them. The former Ocean City High School student was a running back for the football team, and in his younger years he played lacrosse and wrestled. But Tyler, 18, of Upper Township, who was in top physical shape, suffered a rare condition for his age called a vertebral artery dissection. The condition led to multiple strokes and then a massive stroke on May 2. The stroke has severely impacted Tyler's speech and motor skills, and has left him unable to walk, write, or communicate effectively, according to a family helping him through his health crisis. He has a long road to recovery. His girlfriend, Angelina McMenamin, a senior at Ocean City High School, and her parents, Tom and Helen McMenamin, of Ocean City, want to make sure his medical bills are paid for. The McMenamins set up a GoFundMe page to help with Tyler’s expenses. To donate, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-tyler-mcdaniels-on-his-road-to-recovery. “He’s just a real good kid. And he is such a good athlete. He plays every sport possible. He is in such great shape,” Tom McMenamin said in an interview Monday. “It is so unfortunate that this happened to him and it was such a rare condition to affect someone his age. We want to do everything we can to help him.” Tyler McDaniels carries the ball during a game for Ocean City High School. The goal of the GoFundMe fundraiser was set at $5,000 and it was surpassed within days of it being set up. As of Monday night, it was up to $5,115. People may still donate to help Tyler as he continues his recovery, McMenamin said. “We are going to keep the GoFundMe page going,” McMenamin noted. “There has been great support out there from the community. Angelina is grateful. Tyler’s attitude has been great. He is very thankful for all the participation. It is definitely helping him during the start of his recovery.” The cost for the specialized care Tyler needs could be substantial, McMenamin said. He emphasized that the entire community has really rallied around Tyler. Tyler lives with his grandmother. His mother passed away when he was just five. During the two-plus years he has dated Angelina, he has become an important member of the family, McMenamin said. Angelina and Tyler attended Angelina’s junior prom at Ocean City High School in 2023. A photo of them shows them dressed for the special night. Just one year later, everything has changed. Angelina did not attend her senior prom on Saturday, because of Tyler’s medical condition, McMenamin said. The family just hopes and prays Tyler makes a complete recovery. And they are doing all they can to help Tyler with his road to recovery. “Tyler's doctors are hopeful for his recovery, estimating an 80 to 90 percent chance of improvement with intensive rehabilitation. However, the road ahead is long and demanding,” the McMenamins wrote in the GoFundMe page, set up by their nanny, Page DuBois, a week ago. Even though Tyler has insurance, he needs a lot of rehabilitation. “We want Tyler to get the best care possible. It is a very unfortunate circumstance he is in. I don’t know what his insurance will cover,” McMenamin pointed out. “Tyler will come to our home when he gets out of rehabilitation. Fortunately, I think we are in a good position to give him whatever he needs. I didn’t want any burden to be put on him. We just want him to get better.” From left, Paige Dubois, Tyler McDaniels, Angelina, Anthony, Helen and Tom McMenamin pose for a family photo in November of 2023.