The National Football League (NFL) is a high-impact sport where injuries are an unfortunate reality. Over the years, players have suffered some of the worst NFL injuries imaginable, altering careers and lives forever. Below, we explore the ten worst NFL injuries of all time, detailing the games in which they occurred, their duration, and the opponents involved.
10 Worst NFL Injuries
1. Joe Theismann’s Broken Leg (1985)
- Game: Washington Redskins vs. New York Giants (November 18, 1985)
- Opponent: Lawrence Taylor, New York Giants linebacker
- Duration: Career-ending injury
Joe Theismann suffered a compound fracture of his right leg when sacked by Lawrence Taylor during a Monday Night Football game. The gruesome injury ended his career and remains one of the most infamous moments in NFL history.
2. Darryl Stingley’s Broken Neck (1978)
- Game: New England Patriots vs. Oakland Raiders (August 12, 1978)
- Opponent: Jack Tatum, Oakland Raiders safety
- Duration: Lifetime paralysis
During a preseason game, Darryl Stingley was hit by Jack Tatum while attempting to catch a pass. The collision left him paralyzed from the chest down and led to significant changes in NFL safety rules.
3. Alex Smith’s Compound Leg Fracture (2018)
- Game: Washington Redskins vs. Houston Texans (November 18, 2018)
- Opponent: Two Houston Texans defenders
- Duration: 20 months recovery; eventual retirement
Smith endured a compound fracture of his tibia and fibula during a sack. Complications included a life-threatening bacterial infection that required 17 surgeries. He made a miraculous return but retired soon after.
4. Tim Krumrie’s Broken Leg (1989)
- Game: Super Bowl XXIII – Cincinnati Bengals vs. San Francisco 49ers
- Opponent: Roger Craig tackle attempt
- Duration: Full recovery; returned for six more seasons
Krumrie broke his lower leg in four places during the Super Bowl but defied odds by returning to play without missing a season.
5. Napoleon McCallum’s Knee Injury (1994)
- Game: Los Angeles Raiders vs. San Francisco 49ers (September 5, 1994)
- Opponent: Ken Norton Jr., San Francisco linebacker
- Duration: Career-ending injury
McCallum suffered extensive damage to his knee, including torn ligaments, ruptured arteries, and nerve damage during Monday Night Football. He underwent emergency surgery and never played again.
6. Ryan Shazier’s Spinal Contusion (2017)
- Game: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals (December 4, 2017)
- Opponent: Collision during tackle attempt
- Duration: Career-ending injury; ongoing rehabilitation
Shazier sustained a spinal contusion that left him temporarily paralyzed. Though he regained mobility after intensive therapy, he retired from football4.
7. Johnny Knox’s Fractured Vertebrae (2011)
- Game: Chicago Bears vs. Seattle Seahawks (December 18, 2011)
- Opponent: Kam Chancellor and Anthony Hargrove
- Duration: Career-ending injury
Knox’s body contorted unnaturally after being hit while recovering a fumble, resulting in fractured vertebrae that ended his career.
8. Willis McGahee’s Knee Injury (2003)
- Game: Miami Hurricanes vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (BCS National Championship Game)
- Opponent: Will Allen tackle attempt
- Duration: Full recovery; successful NFL career
Though not in the NFL at the time, this injury is notable for its severity—a torn ACL, MCL, and PCL in McGahee’s left knee during college football’s championship game1.
9. Bo Jackson’s Hip Injury (1991)
- Game: Los Angeles Raiders vs. Cincinnati Bengals
- Opponent: Tackle by Kevin Walker
- Duration: Career-ending injury in football; limited baseball career thereafter
Jackson dislocated his hip during a routine tackle, leading to avascular necrosis and ending his football career.
10. Damar Hamlin’s Cardiac Arrest (2023)
- Game: Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals (January 2, 2023)
- Opponent: Collision during tackle attempt
- Duration: Full recovery; returned to play within months
Hamlin collapsed on-field after suffering cardiac arrest during a routine tackle attempt—a chilling moment that sparked widespread discussions on player safety and medical readiness.
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Conclusion
The NFL has seen its fair share of devastating injuries that remind us of the physical toll players endure for the game they love. While many have made miraculous recoveries, others have had their careers tragically cut short.
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