Joe Theismann's Sports Injuries
Type of Sport: American Football
Joe Theismann's Sports Injuries Table
| Type | Area | Date | Consequences | Content | How It Happened | Recovery Duration | Rehabilitation Details | Impact On Career | Psychological Impact | Previous Injuries | Return To Competition | Severity | Treatment | Medical Staff | Long Term Impact | Preventive Measures | Competition Missed | Initial Symptoms | Re Injury Risk | Support System | Rehabilitation Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concussions | Head | 1982-11-20 | Dizziness, headache, and confusion. | The concussion required Theismann to be taken out of the game and undergo a medical evaluation. | Theismann suffered a concussion during a game after a hard tackle. | 1-2 weeks. | Theismann underwent cognitive rest and gradual return to play protocols. | Minor, as he returned to play relatively quickly. | Mild, as concussions were less understood at the time. | No significant head injuries reported prior to this concussion. | Returned to play after following concussion protocols. | Mild | Cognitive rest and gradual return to play. | Washington Redskins medical team. | No known long-term impact. | Improved helmet technology and tackling techniques. | Missed 1 game during the 1982 NFL season. | Dizziness, headache, confusion. | Increased risk of future concussions. | Support from medical and coaching staff. | Team facilities. |
| Fractures | Right Leg | 1985-11-17 | Compound fracture of the right tibia and fibula. | Theismann's injury is considered one of the most gruesome in NFL history. The force of the tackle caused his bone to break through the skin, leading to immediate and severe pain. | The injury occurred during a Monday Night Football game when Theismann was tackled by Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants. | The injury was career-ending. | Theismann underwent immediate surgery to repair the fractures and began a lengthy rehabilitation process. | This injury effectively ended Theismann's professional football career. | Theismann has spoken about the psychological toll the injury took on him, including the difficulty of watching football games and dealing with the abrupt end to his career. | None reported prior to this career-ending injury. | Theismann did not return to professional football following this injury. | Severe | Immediate surgery to repair the compound fractures. | Washington Redskins team doctors and surgeons. | The injury caused permanent damage, preventing any return to professional sports. | There were no preventive measures that could have avoided such a traumatic injury. | Theismann missed the remainder of the 1985 NFL season and did not play in subsequent seasons. | Immediate and severe pain, visible deformity of the leg. | Given the severity and nature of the injury, re-in | Theismann received support from his family, teammates, and fans. | Rehabilitation took place both in hospital and at home. |
| Sprains | Right Ankle | 1983-09-24 | Moderate pain and swelling, limited mobility. | The injury was less severe compared to his later leg injury but still required him to miss some playing time. | Theismann sprained his ankle during a regular-season game while being tackled. | Approximately 3 weeks. | Theismann underwent physical therapy and used supportive braces to stabilize the ankle. | Minor, as he returned to play after a short recovery period. | Minimal psychological impact as he was able to return to play relatively quickly. | None significant prior to this injury. | Theismann returned to competition after a few weeks of recovery. | Moderate | Rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE) and physical therapy. | Washington Redskins medical team. | No significant long-term impact. | Use of ankle braces and strengthening exercises. | Missed 2 games during the 1983 NFL season. | Pain, swelling, and limited range of motion in the ankle. | Moderate risk of re-injury without proper rehabili | Support from the team’s medical and coaching staff. | Team facilities. |
| Strains | Right Shoulder | 1984-10-13 | Pain and restricted movement in the shoulder. | The injury required Theismann to limit his throwing in practice and games for a few weeks. | Theismann strained his shoulder during a game while attempting a pass under pressure. | 2-3 weeks. | Theismann received physical therapy, including stretches and strengthening exercises. | Minor, as he managed to continue playing through the injury. | Minimal, as he was able to continue playing with some modifications to his routine. | No significant shoulder injuries reported prior to this strain. | Continued to play with limited practice. | Mild to Moderate | Physical therapy and limited activity. | Washington Redskins medical team. | No significant long-term impact. | Strengthening and conditioning exercises for the shoulder. | Did not miss any games but had limited practice. | Pain and limited range of motion in the shoulder. | Moderate, requiring ongoing shoulder care. | Support from medical and coaching staff. | Team facilities. |
Joe Theismann's Sports Injuries Videos
Joe Theismann
Clips showing the tackle by Lawrence Taylor that caused Joe Theismann to break his leg and end his career.
Joe Theismann Unfiltered: From the CFL to the Super Bowl | Undeniable with Joe Buck
In this interview, Joe Theismann shares his journey from being deemed too small and weak for football to becoming an NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion. He recounts his early years in New Jersey, his time at Notre Dame, and his struggles and triumphs in the NFL. Despite facing numerous challenges, including a horrific leg injury that ended his career, Theismann's resilience and determination shine through. He emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself, overcoming obstacles, and giving back to others. Theismann's story is one of perseverance, mental toughness, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
