We’re not talking about an eye gouging or a weak punch, we’re talking about the most brutal sports injuries that forced athletes into retirement, that snatched dreams and killed years of hard work. Of course athletes know the risks and often the fear of a career-ending injury lurks in the back of their minds but its the love of the game, the roar of the crowd, the surge of adrenaline that keeps them coming back, yearning for more. Take a look at the list we pulled together of the worst career ending sports injuries in history.
Reggie Brown – Detroit Lions
We kick off our list with a doozy. This was the sports injury that stunned a stadium filled with 77,000 roaring fans into eerie, dead silence. Reggie Brown was a former college footballer at Texas A&M now playing as the second-year linebacker for the Detroit Lions. It was his 26th game when he and fellow Lions linebacker, Antonio London, tackled the Jets running back Adrian Murrell after a 2-yard gain. The other players popped right back up, but Brown didn’t. Brown laid on the ground, not moving, not breathing; he laid unconscious for almost 17 minutes. Doctors determined he had sustained a spinal cord contusion but after a few months of physical therapy, Brown was mobile and active, although he never returned to the field. He’s now a manager for a motor vehicle dealership group in Austin, Texas.
Reggie Brown – Detroit Lions
Scott Stevens – New Jersey Devils
Defensive master? Check. Stanley Cup Finals winner? Check, (three times in fact). Conn Smythe Trophy winner? Check. Hockey Hall of Famer? Check. There’s no doubt about it, Scott Stevens was a wizard out on the ice, his defensive play was top notch and heavy body checks were bar none. Sadly though his career came to an heartbreaking end after a slapshot hit his head, causing post-concussion syndrome. He’s currently with the Minnesota Wild as an assistant to head coach Bruce Boudreau.
Scott Stevens – New Jersey Devils
