When you read that headline a few questions probably come to mind. Who is Thomas Davis? How can anyone possibly be better than Adrian Peterson? What has Thomas Davis done?
The answer is quite a simple one.
Adrian Peterson is Canton bound, a freak, an MVP and great role model for any sports fan. His comeback last year was nothing short of spectacular – the ability to recover from a torn ACL injury to win the Associated Press MVP will be remembered forever.
Nevertheless, what Thomas Davis has accomplished is three times Peterson’s feat.
Thomas Davis, a linebacker for the Carolina Panthers, came back from his third torn anterior crucial ligament on his right knee in 2012 – something no player in NFL history had done before.
Tearing an ACL almost always puts an end to a player’s season and can possibly end their careers. An ACL injury has claimed the careers of former NFL greats such as Super Bowl XXXII MVP Terrell Davis, ex-Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb and three-time Pro Bowler Daunte Culpepper.
The treatment and rehab stage of an ACL injury often takes between six and 12 months, and is physically one of the most demanding things an athlete can go through. You just have to look at how tough it has been for NBA superstar Derrick Rose to comeback from his ACL injuries.
Davis did this three times, and in his comeback year finished second on the team with 105 tackles and a career-best 10 tackles for a loss.
Despite his great play, there was no mention of him at all in the Comeback Player of the Year award race. That award was given to a player with a lot more profile than him – Peyton Manning.
Taking nothing away from Manning’s comeback season, it was truly remarkable, but Davis’ comeback is something that had never been done before. His omission was inexplicable.
Davis himself said it was “definitely disappointing” to be overlooked for the award.
By looking at his numbers in 2013, being overlooked for awards and Pro Bowl selection fuels his fire.
Davis has stepped up his play even more in 2013 and is one of the many reasons the Carolina Panthers defence is ranked in the top five in both passing and rushing yards.
Through ten games, Davis already has 83 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, three sacks, one interception and one forced fumble.
His tandem with legitimate defensive player of the year candidate Luke Kuechly has Carolina rolling toward its first playoff berth since 2008.
Davis’ story is nothing short of amazing. Three gruelling comebacks make him the poster boy of toughness. Davis is quite frankly the definition of ‘keep pounding’.
While the Comeback Player of the Year award is what he truly deserves, unfortunately the majority of his comeback was last year.
Still, Davis deserves some recognition for what he has achieved. A Pro Bowl selection would not be out of reach – remember, he is three times the player Adrian Peterson is.
Josh Wye
Roar Pro
Thanks a lot Eric, really appreciate the feedback. Smaller NFL teams in smaller NFL cities are neglected all too often in the media. You watch teams like the Browns and Tampa Bay and although they are loosing often, there are still players with great stories and great play. Look at Josh Gordon at the Browns who after his suspension has come back and is thriving despite average quarterbacks throwing him the ball. In Tampa Bay, a player like Gerald McCoy who has come back from similar injuries to Thomas Davis and is currently ranked first in pass rush productivity for defensive tackles (according to Pro Football Focus). Your 100% correct re: Davis. It should be a national headline but luckily he got some national attention when Jon Gruden announced him as his "Gruden Grinder" for his great game against the Patriots on MNF. Hopefully Davis will get some attention with a pro bowl selection, he is deserving of it.
Josh Wye
Roar Pro
It's crazy when you think about the Panthers trading Jon Beason to the Giants but when you see how good Davis is playing with Luke Keuchly, it makes perfect sense. Davis is fast becoming a favourite player of mine just because you know what he has endured.
Eric C.
Guest
Well written! I'm a lifelong Panthers fan born and raised in NC, and I have to say it's a sad reflection of the neglect the Panthers have in the US football media when an Australian website writes an article about this first. No offense to you Aussies of course (it's awesome you even report football, let alone the Panthers!) but this should be a national media story in the states and it isn't. Keep up the good journalism guys, maybe you should give some pointers to stateside papers like SI or ESPN - they need it. :)
Dominic Davies
Expert
Completely agree with you Josh. What a great story. The Panthers defence is phenomenal and he's a major part of it.