The game of sports is quite an intriguing one. Being a sports superstar in the 21st century is like getting a ticket to fame and influence. The amount of architecture facilitating these champions has become unreal; everything from huge stadiums to new forms of public transportation. Sports have become a way for people to get their minds off things, relax, and be reminded of their youth. An injury can quickly change the odds, leading to some differences in sports betting. Every point for the other team is a potentially nerve-wracking experience.
But what happens when things don go as anticipated? What happens when there is an injury that prevents your favorite sports star from saving the day?
These are the 10 most remarkable sports injury recoveries.
Dak Prescott
On the 11th of October 2020, Dak Prescott seemed to bite off more than he could chew. That night, he suffered an ankle injury that kept him on the bench till 9th of September, 2021 – a long break for this Dallas Cowboy football superstar. Now that he is back, he has a new 4-year contract and is ready to change the game!
Ben Hogan
Ben Hogan was one of the greatest golfers the world has ever seen. Until a dark night in 1949. Hogan was in a horrific car accident in which he went head-to-head with a bus. The accident was so nasty; people thought he had died in the wreckage. Luckily, he survived with a broken collarbone, 2 fractures in his pelvis, a broken ankle, and some cracked ribs. Doctors thought he would never play golf again. Shortly after being classified as “crippled,” he went on to win the 1950 US Open.
Bobby Hurley
Just like Ben Hogan, Bobby Hurley is no stranger to gruesome car accidents. In 1993, he was in an accident that flung him from his truck. The impact of him landing in the ditch was so intense that it ripped his windpipe out of his lungs. Everyone thought that after this tragic event, this man’s life would never be the same again. In some ways, they were right. However, surprisingly, Hurley was still able to play basketball and became one of the best point guards in the league. Hurley left Duke University as the leader of assists. This means he had the most passes that directly led to a point.
Kerri Strug
No amount of pain can take away the taste of victory. This was proven by Kerri Strug at the 1992 Olympics. At the time, the US gymnastics team had their eyes set on gold. They could already taste it. Then Strug tore two ligaments in her ankle during a warm-up vault. With this, the hopes for gold slipped away. The team needed Strug to score well in the finals in order to claim their place at the top. So, she did what any sane person would do; she went on with her routine, despite the torn ligaments. After landing, she flips on one leg and remains balanced for long enough to get a judge. Her team claimed gold, and she had to be carried to the podium on a stretcher.
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods makes this list twice. The first was in 2008 when he suffered a double fracture on his tibia, also known as the shin bone. Many people thought he would never play professionally again, let alone while injured, yet he continued to play for five days and 91 holes, proving that he was the best with an astounding performance.
Although this wasn the only time Woods proved the critics wrong, in September 2018, he was dealing with back pain and complications from two years prior, yet somehow managed to snag a win. Despite everyone, yet again, thinking his career was at an end. This win was really unexpected, not only because of the injuries but also because it was Woods first win since 2013. After this win, he also claimed the 2019 championships. It seems like all he needed was some painful motivation to unlock his true potential.
Sports are a wonderful world, usually reminding us of our good times. There is something about watching people make a living playing a game that they love that inspires us. However, sometimes it goes wrong, and things aren that easy. It’s in these moments when these champions show their true colors.
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