The footage is grainier than you'd expect for something that sparked a national firestorm. It’s a standard high school gymnasium setup—bright lights, squeaky floors, and the rhythmic thwack of a volleyball being warmed up. Then, it happens. A spike comes across the net with a velocity that looks out of place for the division. Payton McNabb, a junior at Hiwassee Dam High School at the time, doesn't even have time to put her hands up. The ball catches her square in the face.
She drops. Instantly.
Watching the Payton McNabb volleyball injury video today feels different than it did in 2022. Back then, it was a local news story about a scary sports accident. Now, it’s the cornerstone of a massive legal and cultural debate regarding biological sex in athletics. But if you strip away the politics for a second, the raw data of the injury is actually pretty terrifying.
The 30 Seconds That Changed Everything
Most people focus on the hit, but the "fencing response" is what doctors point to as the real red flag. In the video, after Payton hits the floor, her arms stiffen and lift into the air involuntarily. It’s a neurological phenomenon that happens when the brainstem is significantly jarred. She was unconscious for about 30 seconds.
Honestly, the aftermath was a mess.
Initial reports from the scene were a bit chaotic. Her trainer allegedly told her to try and get back in the game—a suggestion that seems wild in hindsight given she had two black eyes and a massive concussion. It wasn't just a "stinger." Medical evaluations later confirmed a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a brain bleed.
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The Long-Term Fallout
Payton didn't just walk this off after a week in a dark room. Even now, years later, she’s dealing with the debris of that single second. She’s been open about the fact that she still suffers from:
- Partial paralysis on her right side.
- Persistent, "unremitting" headaches.
- Impaired vision and balance issues.
- Significant cognitive "blank spaces" and memory retention problems.
She was a three-sport athlete with college softball ambitions. Those dreams basically evaporated the moment that ball made contact. Instead of scouting reports, she spent her senior year navigating "accommodations" just to finish her schoolwork because her brain couldn't process information like it used to.
Why the Video Went Viral (and Stayed Viral)
The reason the Payton McNabb volleyball injury video didn't just disappear into the archives of local North Carolina news is because of who hit the ball. The opponent was a transgender athlete.
This turned a sports injury into a lightning rod.
On one side, you have advocates like Riley Gaines and organizations like the Independent Women’s Forum who used the footage as "Exhibit A" for why biological males shouldn't compete in women's sports. They argue the sheer physical force—estimated by some to be significantly higher than the average female high school spike—created an unsafe environment.
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On the flip side, groups like GLAAD have pointed out that volleyball is inherently a high-injury sport. They note that thousands of female athletes are injured by cisgender opponents every year without those videos being used to push for legislative bans. They see the focus on this specific video as a way to "weaponize" a freak accident to target a vulnerable minority.
Legislation and the "Fairness in Women’s Sports Act"
The video did more than just rack up views; it changed the law. In April 2023, Payton stood before the North Carolina General Assembly. She didn't just talk about the pain; she used the footage to lobby for House Bill 574.
It worked.
The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act passed, effectively banning transgender girls from competing on female sports teams in middle schools, high schools, and colleges across North Carolina. The legislature even overrode a veto from the Governor to make it happen. Since then, Payton has become a fixture in the national conversation, even appearing as a guest of Donald Trump at a joint address to Congress in 2025.
What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a common misconception that this was a "hostile" act or an intentional hit. If you watch the full, unedited sequence, it looks like a standard, albeit very powerful, volleyball play. The controversy isn't about intent; it's about the physics of the impact.
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The "Kill Shot" documentary, which chronicles her story, dives into the biological metrics. It's not just about height; it's about bone density and muscle explosive power. Payton's argument has always been that she didn't "sign up" for that level of physical risk when she joined a girls' team.
Critical Insights for Athletes and Parents
Whether you're following the legal battle or just worried about player safety, there are real takeaways here:
- Recognize the Fencing Response: If an athlete’s arms go rigid after a hit, do not let them move. It is a sign of serious brain trauma.
- TBIs are Cumulative: A "brain bleed" isn't a bruise. The recovery timeline for a TBI is often measured in years, not weeks.
- Know the Rules: State laws regarding sports participation are shifting rapidly. In 2026, the landscape looks very different than it did when Payton was a junior.
The reality is that Payton McNabb’s life is divided into "before" and "after" that video. While the debate over the Fairness in Women's Sports Act continues to rage in courtrooms and on social media, the girl in the video is still just trying to get through a day without a headache.
If you're looking for the footage, you'll find it easily on platforms like YouTube or X, but it's worth remembering that for the person on the floor, it’s not a political talking point—it’s the moment her childhood ended.
Next Steps for You:
If you are a coach or parent, ensure your school has a strict Return-to-Play protocol that includes a mandatory neurological clearance after any loss of consciousness. You can also research your specific state's current legislation on the Fairness in Women's Sports Act to understand how local athletic associations are handling biological sex requirements in 2026.