Sunday, March 31, onlookers of the nationally televised Elite Eight game between Coach Rick Pitino’s Louisville Cardinals and Coach K’s Duke Blue Devils bared witness to one of the my most gruesome sports injuries of recent memory when sophomore guard and sixth man Kevin Ware snapped his lower right leg in a routine defensive maneuver gone wrong.
Those in attendance immediately went silent, and his teammates and Coach Pitino alike burst into tears at the sight of what happened to their guy and the thought of how the injury could affect the young man’s future. That moment, if no other, reminded us that Ware was just a kid living a dream that may have come to a screeching halt.
The grimace-inducing instance was a betrayal to the holy sanctity of sports; one that happens only so often, but one that happens nonetheless. As we pray for Ware’s speedy recovery, we couldn’t help but to recall other athletes we’ve witnessed experience comparable injuries across the major sports.
A few involved arms, others were leg injuries similar to Ware’s, and some were so gut-wrenching that we relied on memories rather than the footage. Beware if you’re squeamish. See our top 10 most gruesome sports injuries after the jump below.
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Photo: ABC News
10. Rajon Rondo Dislocates Elbow
A routine tussle for the ball with the Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade turned to into something else completely.
9. Ryan Powdrell breaks his leg
Leg injuries are always horrible to watch. Powdrell’s is no different.
8. Napolean McCallum Shatters Leg
The tackle happened so fast, but the results were longstanding.
7. Djibril Cisse Snaps His Ankle
Announcers questioned Cisse for crying after breaking his ankle. What would happen if the shoe was on the other foot?
6. Allan Ray Almost Loses An Eye
How could you forget what happened to the Villanova two guard during the 2006 Big East tournament?
5. Willis McGahee Breaks His Leg
It’s a wonder how McGahee came back from this.
4. Shaun Livingston Shreds Knee
Before Kevin Ware’s injury, Livingston’s took the cake if you were referring to basketball.
3. Lawrence Taylor Tackle Snaps Joe Theisman’s Leg
The moment that ended the career of a two-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl winner.
2. Kevin Ware Breaks Leg In Freak Accident
We still can’t wrap our minds around how this happened. He closed out on a jump shot without tripping or getting tangled.
1. Goalie Clint Calarchuk Gets Throat Slit By Skate
This undeniably takes the cake. Watch at your own risk.
