Sports Injuries
This is a really hard post to make. I want athletes to take care of their bodies; it pains me to see somebody the same age as me hobbled by sports.
I also cannot deny the level of heroism and toughness it takes to be great. Tonight, I think about Anthony Edwards and Joel Embiid. One came back from an injury heroically early to fight for his team against all odds; one could not play because of an injury, which has often been the case in his career. I do not know the full depth of the medical situations surrounding these players as I suppose most sports fans do not.
I wouldn’t necessarily say we shame players for injuries, albeit some sports fans likely do—we’re a wild bunch, but we do exalt the invincible.
Plus I do know how American sports often define heroism.
“The best ability is availability.”
It feels inherent that some of the greatest moments come when athletes are at their weakest. You probably know the stories. Here’s a few:
Oct. 2, 1966: Sandy Koufax essentially says, while waiting on results from another consequential game, “The hell with it. Let’s win the goddamn game.”
He’s talking about not just the game, but the National League Pennant. He pitches a complete game gem on two days rest and the Dodgers win the pennant. This one is particularly harrowing, because, at age 30, it is the last game Koufax ever wins. He retires about a month from that date due to severe health problems.
June 11, 1997: Michael Jordan is severely ill. He still plays. He scores 38 over 44 minutes, while battling dehydration, exhaustion, food poisoning and the flu. It’s an incredibly night by any standards and especially considering what he was going through. Did I mention he hit the game-winning 3-point shot?
Probably the most remembered shot is not what he did on the court, but him collapsing into Scottie Pippen’s arms after the game. The Bulls take a 3-2 lead and beat the Jazz for Jordan’s fifth ring.
June 7, 2003: Paul Kariya, star Ducks player, is literally knocked unconscious on the ice by Scott Stevens of the Devils. A few minutes later, with the Stanley Cup hanging in the balance, he’s back.
“I didn’t think we’d see him until next season,” the announcer says.
Kariya pushes up the near side of the ice and beats the great Martin Brodeur on the stick side to essentially ice the game.
The sad part about these games is that players constantly get hurt. They shouldn’t be punished or questioned due to that, but at the same time there are few things more thrilling than putting it all on the line for the sport, regardless of the consequences.
I don’t have a good answer, but it’s something I think about.
P.S. I will note Kariya has no recollection of the game-winning goal he scored. As somebody that has also had a concussion; I can confidently say that checks out.
