SUMMARY
- There have been several NFL players who suffered the worst injuries on the field.
- Some of the players even had to retire from the sport.
The NFL is one of the most challenging sports on the planet. Continuous body contact among the players causes severe injuries. Since the beginning of the NFL, fans have witnessed several heartbreaking injuries. The injuries have either cost the players’ careers or, even after recovering from the deadly injuries, they never seemed to get their form back.
In this context, we will look at some of the most dangerous injuries on the field. The top five agonizing injuries in the game’s history are listed below.
1. The horrific broken leg injury of Joe Theismann
The former Super Bowl champion, Joe Theismann, was the victim of the most heartfelt injury. During his time with the Washington Redskins, the quarterback had a game against the New York Giants on November 18, 1985.
At the fixture, the quarterback suffered a fracture on his right leg while Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor sacked him. That day is still captured in the minds of the fans as one of the most horrible moments of the game’s history.
2. Dislocation of the knee of Napoleon McCallum
Napoleon McCallum played as a running back in the NFL for the Los Angeles Raiders. The running back was forced to retire from football after a tackle from San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ken Norton Jr. Due to the tackle, McCallum’s knee was dislocated.
Despite the surgery and treatment, the running back felt uncomfortable and was never able to come back. Hence, the Raiders’ former running back retired from the game in 1994.
3. Spinal injury of Dennis Byrd
The most terrifying injury in the history of the NFL is probably suffered by Dennis Byrd, the former star for the New York Jets, who used to play as a defensive end. The late defensive end sustained a lethal spinal cord injury during the fixture against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Unfortunately, Byrd collided with his teammate, Scott Mersereau. At first, the question was raised about whether he would ever be able to walk again. But after going through prolonged treatment, he could finally walk again, although he would never be able to return to the field. After Byrd’s premature retirement, the Jets retired his number 90 jersey as well.
4. Darryl Stingley’s neck injury on the field which made him paralyzed
Darry Stingley had a nightmare injury during the 1978 preseason game with the Oakland Raiders. Stingley’s match against the Raiders had a disastrous knock, which made him paralyzed from his neck. The cause of being paralyzed was the collision with the Raider’s safety, Jack Tatum.
The wide receiver’s career ended at the age of 26. Despite being paralyzed, the late Patriots star remained a football community member and used to advocate for the player’s safety.
5. Mike Utley’s neck injury forced him to premature retirement
Mike Utley’s career is just like a carbon copy of Stingley’s. Just like the Patriot’s former number 8, Utley also suffered a devastating spinal cord injury, which made him paralyzed and forced him to retire early.
During the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams fixture, the guard was paralyzed due to a chest down. While he was taking off the field, the Lion’s former number, 60, gave a thumbs up to the crowd, which later became the symbol of his foundation, focusing on curing individuals of paralysis.
The dreadful injuries took away the stars of the game too early, and they were unable to fulfill their dream. These legends will forever remain in the golden history of the NFL.