Louisville basketballer Kevin Ware this morning suffered one of the most brutal broken leg injuries in recent memory, leaving his teammates in tears in the aftermath.
With his Cardinals team coming up against Duke in the Elite Eight stage of the NCAA men’s basketball final tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Ware leapt to block a shot in what was a seemingly innocuous attempt.
By the time he had hit the court it was clear that Ware was in serious trouble.
The incident occurred directly in front of the Louisville bench, with coach Rick Pitino and fellow players immediately recoiling away in horror.
Several of Ware’s teammates fell to the court in tears, and reports indicated that Louisville players were seen vomiting on the bench.
The injury, which occurred in the first half, proved no obstacle for the Cardinals as they went on to win the game 85-63. They will go on to face the giant-killing Wichita State in the Final Four.
The graphic break has been described as one of the worst sports injuries in history, and drew comparisons to Joe Thiesmann’s broken leg for Washington Redskins in 1985, and Djbril Cisse’s dual horrific broken leg injuries for Liverpool and France.
Is this the worst sports injury of all time, or simply the latest in a long line of athletes having absolutely no regard for their own physical wellbeing?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os7HP7F60vo
mushi
Roar Guru
I'd have thought ones where people died (skiing, motorsport, boxing, spear tackles etc) would be considered slightly more nasty?
micka
Guest
The team trainer was a medic in Vietnam. Just dug his fingers into Malarchuks neck and pinched off the artery. It was so cloase that if the rink access gate was at the other end of the rink he wouldn't be here (the gate is normally half way along the rink from memory).
sledgeandhammer
Guest
Relax guys, he'll be up and about on crutches in 3 weeks and back into training in a couple of months..
Planet Football
Guest
I won't watch it either. However, David Buust, Coventry City v Man United in the 90s, is the worst I have seen.
Jerry
Guest
Go on youtube and search for Sid Vicious leg break (pro wrestler, not the Sex Pistol) and Corey Hill UFC leg break. Both equally horrible.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Worst leg break I've ever seen. I was nearly sick when I saw what happened. I hope Kevin Ware makes a full recovery as he is/was an fantastic prospect.
WoobliesFan
Guest
Refuse to watch it.....not into it....poor guy.....sounds aweful
RebelRanger
Guest
That would be insanely awesome as a Syracuse fan. To get a decider between 2 Big East teams in the national championship in their final year there. Plus that Orange/ Cards game at Louisville was the best game I've seen this season.
dasilva
Guest
Actually it was the carotid artery (Veins don't spill out blood out that quickly and is less life threatening). The fact that it was a burst artery and he still lived is pretty miraculous. People with burst artery can die in a few minutes without treatment. It's because arteries are high pressure vessels and have high blood flow and the carotids supply blood to the brain (so if the carotids burst no blood to the brain and hence death if untreated).
Tom
Guest
+1
sledgeandhammer
Guest
I had the exact injury several years ago playing indoor soccer - broken tibia and fibula half way up the leg. Made a huge crack sound and freaked a few people out. The guys dragged me to the side of the court on my arse and kept on playing while I watched and waited for the ambulance to arrive. Meanwhile a guy who had just done his first aid course offered me a plastic bag full of ice. Pretty funny to look back on. Also funny how injuries in amateur sport don't get much sympathy compared to professional sport, where play actually stops and people actually try to help. Same thing happened when I broke 3 metacarpel in my hand playing rugby - coach tried to send me back on, and I had to make my own way home (luckily broken hands don't hurt).
Dave Webb
Roar Pro
David Busst playing for Coventry against Manchester United in 1996, broke both his tibia and fibia. The injury ended his career. Also I saw a kickboxer on YouTube who broke his Tib/Fib and then stood on the break. Vomit!
ryan
Guest
this is the worst leg break i have seen, but like william said nothing will ever be worse then Clint Malarchuk, well hopefully nothing will
Worlds biggest
Guest
That is absolutely gruesome, worse than the Theismann tackle. The reaction by the players says it all.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Cisse's was terrible. I also remember Glen Lazarus had a shocking broken ankle/leg playing for the Broncs I think. Hope Kevin recovers in full.
Renee Matey
Roar Rookie
Whilst not strictly injuries, two of the most gruesome incidents for me: Paul Carozza's nose belting Richard Loe's elbow and Tony Lockett re-arranging Peter Caven's face. Don't see how this can be classed as an athlete having no regard for their own well-being - looked like a pretty innocuous attempted block.
Thunder
Guest
That too is a bad one, but the break / dislocation was at the joint. Ware's injury is half way up the tibia, and is the worst I have seen by far.
Malcolm Dreaneen
Roar Pro
I can't even bear to watch it.
Thunder
Guest
I have never seen anything like it. A snapped leg half way up the shin, it broke like a match stick. Very innocuous accident, which are often the worst. My thoughts go out to this young man. And Alfred, I think Witchita St are a chance at rolling On to the final - Any of of the final four can win the Dance, there is just no dominant and consistent team this year.
clipper
Guest
Wouldn't even come close (although still gruesome). He's still living - far more horrific accidents in car racing and boxing. Ray Mancini so battered Duk Koo Kim that he died four days later and both his mother and the referee committed suicide, and Max Baer knocked Frankie Campbells brain away from his skull and he died later that day.