It’s a staggering thought to think it’s possible to be paralyzed in an NFL game. Just recently, I’ve heard people talking about it and it got me thinking: has anyone actually been paralyzed in an NFL game? It’s surreal to imagine that much force and the potential for trauma. Fortunately, the answer is – mercifully – no.
The closest anyone has come to paralysis on the gridiron was when Kevin Everett, a special team player for the Buffalo Bills, sustained a spinal cord-level injury during a game in 2007. Everett collided in a violent manner with Denver Bronco’s Domenik Hixon and was immediately rendered motionless. When first responders tried to move Everett’s neck, his arm and leg flexed involuntarily, which is a positive sign for spinal cord injury victims. Doctors were even more encouraged when Everett showed slight movement a day later.
The doctors diagnosed Everett to have fractured the third and fourth cervical vertebrae in his spine. While this usually spells instant paralysis, the fact Everett had movements in his limbs suggested he could make a comeback. He had to relearn how to walk, talk, and feed himself. It couldn’t have been easy, but Everett was determined. He was even able to get up and do some squats in the hospital, further confirming he was on the mend.
At his nine-month checkup, Everett amazed his doctors and family by standing up and walking without a walker, brace or any support. Everybody cheered and applauded for him. It was an emotional moment, and it was clear Everett was benefiting from the exercise and rehabilitation he was receiving. Everett began to feel a lot more capable after this milestone—and now he was fully determined to keep pushing hard.
Toward the end of his recovery, Everett was working out three times a day and finally running at full speed. Everyone was amazed at his dedication and hard work as well as his impressive progress. By once again accomplishing what were thought to be impossible feats for him to do, he had now essentially re-mastered basic motor skills. It was a comeback nobody could have foreseen.
Everett is just one example of someone who faced an extremely serious spinal injury and managed to defy the odds. With ongoing physical therapy and an iron will, Everett is now walking without support and doing nearly all the activities he was able to do prior to the injury. Doctors even went so far to say Everett’s comeback was “miraculous”.
It’s incredible to think that, while the NFL can be an incredibly rough sport with numerous casualties, a brutal injury isn’t one of them. I much prefer seeing a Kevin Everett making his way back from near-paralysis than cradling a paralyzed player on the field. It’s a sobering reminder of how careful teams need to be looking out for each other when it comes to the game of football.
Now, despite its dangers, I certainly don’t believe football is a ‘deadly’ sport. Even so, it’s encouraging to know that players are actively developing ways to mitigate injury and make the game safer. This is especially true for those suffering from a neck or head injury, as improved helmets and other protective gear can help reduce the risk of injury.
What’s really fascinating, however, is the way the NFL has reacted to Kevin Everett’s miraculous recovery. The league has created a Kevin Everett grant, which provides medical aid to former NFL players who have been injured. And Everett has even gone on to become a vocal advocate for brain and neck injury prevention. He even joined a Motorcycle Safety Program and visits schools to educate children on head trauma and proper helmet use.
The recovery of Kevin Everett is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of a professional athlete in the face of danger. It’s an incredible story of how, even when faced with a seemingly-impossible challenge, it’s possible to make a miraculous comeback.
On top of Everett’s story, it’s also become apparent that the NFL is working hard to make the game safer and reduce the risk of spinal injuries. However, that’s not to say there isn’t still much more that can be done. Though not many deep-dive analysis into long-term effects of the sport have been conducted, it’s is almost certain that more can be done to further mitigate injury.
The NFL has taken an impressive step by taking a public stance on protecting player health. This is a shift from their long history of turning a blind eye when it comes to player safety. Now more than ever, teams are set on developing more sophisticated technology to detect and minimize head and neck injuries which, over time, should reduce the chance of paralysis for any player in the league. It’s a positive step in the right direction that provides more hope and security for players everywhere.
These days, it seems like the NFL is taking more and more steps to ensure player safety. There’s an increasing emphasis on creating healthier game rules, such as increasing penalties for dangerous, after-the-whistle hits. Furthermore, teams are developing innovative protective apparel tailored to both the players and position they play.
Though Kevin Everett’s case was an extreme example of what can happen from a neck or head injury in contact sports, it’s remarkable to realize that, since his injury in 2007, no other serious paralysis has occurred on the field. That’s not to say perhaps the most extreme cases of head trauma have been prevented, but research on long-term effects is still developing.
Above all, it’s encouraging to see how much Kevin Everett’s story has galvanized the NFL and caused a driving force—slowly, but surely—toward the prevention of further tragedy. And with the evolution of protective gear and increased attention on the seriousness of injury, teams are coalescing to create a safer and healthier form of play for millions of Americans.