Shocking Sports Injuries

Janos Baranyai of Hungary screams in pain after dropping the weights during the Men's 77kg weightlifting competition event at the University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Gymnasium during Day 5 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 13, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)

There’s no denying that sports are physical and injuries are common and inevitable. There are some injuries that are so unbearable, so gruesome, so shocking that you have to tear your eyes from the screen.

These injuries look so horrible you can almost feel the pain in your body and you know that if looking at an athlete in that much pain hurts you, the pain for them must be excruciating.

Still, there’s something about these injuries that intrigues us and makes these athletes, who often times recover and come back for more, seem untouchable.  

This list encompasses some of the most shocking injuries in sports. Some of these were nearly fatal, where others were just down right gross, but all of these are so horrible they almost can’t be watched.

WARNING: The videos that follow are gruesome, sickening and shocking. They may not be suitable for everyone and aren’t recommended for those that are grossed out easily, sickened by blood or have trouble watching limbs turn in ways they shouldn’t.

10. Tennis Star Mary Pierce Tears Her ACL
Pierce ruptured her ACL, but underwent surgery in December 2006. Although she missed all of the 2007 season, she has been rehabilitating her knee. She was scheduled to appear in the 2008 Olympics, but because of injury had to pull out.


9. Tyrone Prothro From University of Alabama Fractures Tibia and Fibula
Tyrone Prothro broke his leg on October 1, 2005, during his junior year at Alabama. Although he underwent surgery and extensive rehabilitation, Prothro was unable to continue his football career. In 2007 he was taken off the football roster and placed on a medical hardship scholarship at the school. The coach, Nick Saban said there was no way Prothro could ever play again.


8. Idong Ibok of Michigan State University Dislocates His Elbow
Idong Ibok, who is originally from Nigeria recovered from the dislocated elbow he sustained in the game against Marquette and only missed a few games. He went on to continue his successful career at Michigan State.


7. Wrestler Sid Vicious Breaks His Tibia and Fibula
Sid Eudy (AKA Sid Vicious) underwent surgery to repair his leg. A 17-inch rod was placed in his leg and he underwent intense rehabilitation. He returned to wrestling, but never reached the height or popularity he had before the surgery.


6. Richard Zednik of the Florida Panthers Has Neck Sliced By Skate
After teammate Olli Jokinen's skate accident cut the external carotid artery in Zednik's neck he was able to skate to the Florida bench. He was alert and on the way to the hospital he was stable and talking. He lost five units of blood, but doctors said his live was not in jeopardy. He underwent surgery to repair the artery, which had not been severed. He fully recovered and has returned to Florida for the 2008-2009 season.


5. A Kick Boxer Breaks His Leg During a Match
This is a video I found. I have no idea who it is, or what happened to this person, but it looks painful. Ow.


4. Mike Tyson Bites Evander Holyfield's Ear
The fight, which took place on June 28, 1997, later became known as "The Bite Fight." Tyson had two points deducted, for the first bite on Holyfield's ear. Officials originally wanted to disqualify him, but Holyfield and his doctor wanted to continue the fight. The fight continued and Tyson big off the top of Holyfield's ear, known as the helix. Tyson was then disqualified. Holyfield recovered and continued to box. Tyson's career spiraled and soon came to an end.


3. Olympic Weightlifter Janos Baranyai Dislocates Elbow
Baranyai was attempting to lift 148 kg in the men's 77kg snatch at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. After he dislocated his elbow, he was taken off stage and treated. He planed to undergo rehabilitation and hopefully return to the world of weightlifting.


2. Villanova Basketball Player Allan Ray Has Eye Poked Out
Ray's eye was surprisingly OK. Although he lost his vision for a short period of time, and his eyeball actually came loose from its socket, the injury turned out to be only minor soft tissue damage. His vision returned and he returned to the court less than a week later. In 2006 he was signed as a free agent with the Boston Celtics and in 2007 he pursued a contract with a professional team in Italy.


1. Buffalo Sabres Goalie Clint Malarchuk Has Jugular Sliced by Skate
Although Malarchuk's injury looks similar to Panther's player Richard Zednik, Malarchuk's was actually far worse. His jugular vein or carotid artery was actually severed, which caused the mass amount of blood loss. Malarchuk said later he was sure he was going to die, he even asked for a priest. The team's athletic trainer can be credited with saving the goalie, he reached into Malarchuk's neck and pinched off the bleeding, he didn't let go until doctors arrived to begin suturing the wound. He received over 330 stitches to close the wound and returned to practice four days later. A week later he was back in net to defend against the Quebec Nordiques. He retired, and now is a goalie coach for the Buffalo Sabres.