Christian Bodnar's college football career was on the rise until he found himself in the emergency room, and then unable to walk less than a week later.
Before joining Oklahoma State as a safety this spring, Bodnar began his career at Liberty, where he redshirted as a freshman in 2023. Bodnar then became a rising prospect, playing in the first five games of his redshirt freshman season in 2024 and making 13 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss and an interception.
But the Monday after the Flames' fifth game of the season against Florida International, Bodnar's life changed. He was diagnosed with post-infectious encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain after a routine illness or infection. After battling back and continuing his football career, Bodnar has a new view of life and football.
"This game can be taken away from you at any moment," Bodnar said. "A lot of players could take it for granted being out here. Every day you get to come out here and play football and work out – and walk – it's a blessing."
Bodnar attended a Sunday practice in preparation for Liberty's game that Wednesday. The next morning, he woke up with a sharp migraine, and he said the right side of his body felt "heavy."
So, Bodnar rushed to the football facility to check in with the athletics trainers. They hold him he was having stroke-like symptoms and that they needed to get him to a doctor.
Bodnar was sent to the emergency room, where he underwent scans and was diagnosed with post-infectious encephalitis. He spent the next week in the ER.
One day, the severity of the situation really hit. With the impairments stemming from the condition, Bodnar had to learn some basic motor skills again. Bodnar watched as his physical therapist had to pick up his leg for him to take a step.
Bodnar paused and stared for a moment.
"I didn't want to give up on myself, but I had the thought of, you know, football might not happen again," Bodnar said.
"But I never questioned God's plan. Not at all, not one time while I was in that hospital bed did I be like, 'God, why?' I just put my head down, I put my trust in him and I knew he would make things right again."
One day, a couple days before Bodnar was released the hospital, he knew he was going to be alright. He jumped out of bed and walked himself to the bathroom without assistance.
"Right then and there, I knew I was gonna end up being OK," Bodnar said. "And once I got to make it to the game that Wednesday, I felt good just being around my team again and knowing that I can take steps."
Once the swelling in his brain went away, Bodnar said he was back to normal within a month. By the next season, he was back on the field.
In 2025, Bodnar made nine starts and appeared in all 12 games for the Flames. He was fourth on the team in tackles and recorded two sacks and two pass breakups. Bodnar was named one of three national winners of the 2025 Comeback Player of the Year Award.
"Once I got out of the hospital again, it gave me more of a drive, because I honestly did kinda grow into the complacency of, 'OK, I'm just a college football player,' just being at practice every day and living in the monotony," Bodnar said. "But once you have it taken away from you, it's like, boom, you've got to really put your head down and look at what you've been given."
It also reminded him of the skillset he had, and the dream he had to play in a Power Four conference. Bodnar entered the transfer portal and began looking for his new home.
Jordan Malone joined the coach Eric Morris' OSU staff as safeties in the offseason and pinpointed Bodnar in the transfer portal as someone he wanted to target. Something always stood out about Bodnar to Malone during the recruiting process.
"Every time I would FaceTime Christian – smile on his face," Malone said.
Malone met Bodnar's family and got to know them all better. At first, he wasn't aware of Bodnar's full story.
"And then when you hear his full story, and then you get to talk to him, you would never know he's been through some of the stuff he's been through," Malone said. "But I think that speaks to why he's always smiling and laughing, will joke with you, will be serious when he needs to."
Malone said Bodnar has been impressive in his first spring at OSU. Bodnar is always one of the top defensive backs in sprint yards at practice, and Malone said he is extremely coachable.
Bodnar always envisioned himself in Power Four football, and he's making the most of that opportunity.
"I always knew going into college that this is where I'd be," Bodnar said. "I'm meant for this level of ball."
Nothing is taken for granted in Bodnar's life. He gained perspective and a new view, and everyone around him sees it.
"Getting to know him as a player, you admire him as a coach," Malone said. "Because, again, he's one of those guys that you've got to say, 'Whoa,' to, not, 'Giddy up.' It's been a pleasure working with him."
