It was perhaps one of the worst injuries in the history of sports. It was a limb bending in an abnormal manner and it was displayed to a nationwide audience on November 18, 1985. The Washington Redskins and the New York Giants played on Monday Night Football. When Lawrence Taylor sacked Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann and shattered his fibula and tibia, it not only ended Theismann’s NFL career but also prompted a positive shift in Theismann.
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Joe Theismann Career Ending Injury
On Monday Night Football, as the Washington Redskins were facing the New York Giants, quarterback Joe Theismann’s career abruptly ended. In the second quarter, with the score at 7-7, Theismann passed the ball to running back John Riggins, who lateraled the ball back to Theismann using a ‘flea-flicker’ move.
Lawrence Taylor, an All-Pro linebacker, was not fooled by the play and sacked Theismann. Theismann’s leg snapped during the play, and Taylor instantly stood up and summoned the trainers to the field. Theismann recalled handing the ball to John, receiving it back, and then staring downfield in a 2005 Washington Post piece. I was unable to locate Art (Monk) deep, so I looked to my right for (tight end) Donnie” (Warren). The next thing I knew, I heard what sounded like a shotgun being discharged — Pow! Pow! — and felt this unbearable anguish. I was then on the ground.”
Theismann reported that the agony mysteriously subsided. “At that time, I also realized what a marvelous machine the human body is,” Theismann explained. “From the knee down, my right leg lost all sensation almost instantaneously.” Endorphins had taken effect, and I was no longer in pain.” Theismann’s fibula and tibia were shattered, and he never played in the NFL again.
Theismann Described The Injury As a Boon Rather Than a Tragedy
Joe Theismann had hoped to return to the Washington Redskins after sustaining a horrific injury. It never occurred. He recalls exercising at the complex in an attempt to impress people in attendance. He wanted to demonstrate that he could return. When he looked up a little while into his workout, he noticed that everyone had left. So, I returned inside and declared, “I’m not done with my workout yet!”
At that time, he was no longer the quarterback for the Washington Redskins. “That’s when I realized the gravity of what had occurred to me,” he stated. “When the Redskins dismissed me and I was no longer Joe Theismann, football player for the Washington Redskins, I became a man who had played the game of football and it was over.” He received a harsh dose of reality and realized he needed to change. He needed to shed his ego.
People would say that what occurred in my life was a tragedy, but it wasn’t. He stated that it was a blessing. “I had become a somewhat self-absorbed individual who cared little about many things other than myself. I looked at myself and desired to become a better individual. Since that day in my life, thirty-plus to thirty-three years ago, I have endeavored to be a better person.”
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