Even elite athletes suffer serious injuries;
why do so many people think they won’t?
By Ian Comandao – Sep 29, 2022
On a regular basis, we hear about another star athlete whose career has been cut short by injury. This happens in every sport, from football to baseball to soccer to tennis. This can be incredibly frustrating for the athlete, their fans, and their families. But it’s also a reminder that no one is invincible – even the best athletes in the world are susceptible to injury.
But then, professional athletes are lucky in that they will get the best that modern medicine has to offer. They will have access to the most skilled doctors, the most up-to-date treatments and the finest rehabilitation facilities.
The rest of us, however, are not so lucky.
This is why it’s so important for everyone, not just athletes, to have quality health insurance. No one knows when an accident will happen, or when they’ll get sick. But having insurance can help to ease the financial burden that comes with these unexpected events. It’s easy to think that this couldn’t happen to us – after all, we’re not paid big bucks just to play a game. But the truth is, anyone can be injured at any time. And whether it’s a sports injury or something else, the aftermath can be devastating.
Without insurance, you may be facing tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills. Even if you’re lucky enough to have short term insurance that covers some or all of the immediate costs, you’ll still be left with long term repercussions involving physical therapy and rehabilitation. If your injury or illness prevents you from working, you could quickly find yourself in a very difficult financial situation.
Here are just a few examples of athletes whose careers were cut short by injury or illness:
Here are just a few examples of athletes whose careers were cut short by injury or illness:
Jay Williams
Jay Williams was at the top of his game when he was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 2002. He was the National Player of the Year and looked like he had a very promising future in the NBA. However, his career was cut short just one year later when he suffered a horrific motorcycle accident. He severed the main nerve in his leg, fractured his pelvis, and tore three ligaments in his left knee. He was unable to return to basketball and ended up having to retire from the sport.
Yao Ming
Yao Ming was one of the most dominant players in the NBA during his short time with the Houston Rockets, and bridged the gap between the NBA and China. He was a seven-time All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Team five times. However, his career was cut short by injuries. He suffered multiple fractures on his left foot, a broken right knee, and a stress fracture on his right ankle. He was forced to retire in 2011 at the age of 30 and is still unable to walk without pain.
Andrew Luck
Andrew Luck was the number one overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and was considered to be a once-in-a-generation talent. He led the Indianapolis Colts to the playoffs in his first three seasons and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2014. However, his career was derailed by injuries – he suffered multiple concussions, a lacerated kidney, and a partially torn abdomen muscle while playing the previously undefeated Denver Broncos. He was forced to retire in 2018, after seven seasons in the NFL.
Sandy Koufax
His name might not be familiar to people who didn’t grow up in the US in the 1950’s, but Sandy Koufax is considered to be one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. He was a seven-time All-Star and won three Cy Young Awards. He was also named the National League MVP in 1963. However, his career was cut short by injuries. He developed arthritis in his throwing elbow and was forced to retire at the age of 30. Yes, arthritis, one of the most common conditions in the world, the sort that your granny complains about, ended the career of one of baseball’s all-time greats.
Monica Seles
Monica Seles was one of the most dominant players in tennis during the early 1990s. She won nine Grand Slam singles titles and was the youngest person to ever win the French Open. However, her career was cut short when she was stabbed by an audience member during a match in 1993. The man, who was a Steffi Graf “fan,” stabbed Seles in the back with a nine-inch knife. Seles was able to return to tennis but was never able to regain her previous level of play. She retired in 2003.
Eduardo Da Silva
Perhaps one of the most gruesome injuries on this list (there should still be some video on the internet showing the open dislocation that was broadcast on live TV), Eduardo da Silva’s injury occurred during a match between Arsenal and Birmingham in 2008. Da Silva had his ankle dislocated and his fibula broken when he was tackled by Birmingham defender Martin Taylor. The injury was so bad that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said it was “like looking at a murder scene.” Da Silva was able to return to soccer but was never the same player. He retired in 2011.
Conclusion
These are just a few examples of careers in sports that have been cut short by injuries. It just goes to show that no matter how talented or skilled you are, injuries can happen to anyone at any time. This is why it’s so important to have health insurance, whether you’re an athlete or not. No one knows when an injury or illnessmight strike, and it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
You may not be a professional athlete, but at least with good health insurance you won’t have to worry about your career (or normal day to day life) being cut short.
Make sure you’re properly protected by getting insurance today. It could be the best decision you ever make.
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