T.J. Ford Taken Off Court on a Stretcher

[crewcrazy]

Link here: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=271211001

 

While T.J. is no longer with the Bucks, it's sad to see him like this again. His head banged off the floor following a flagrant foul from Atlanta's Al Horford and he didn't appear to be able to move as he was taken off the court. He already missed the '04-'05 season with his last neck injury, and if I recall correctly, he has a medical condition that makes him prone to these types of injuries. I hope he's able to pull through this with full functionality of his limbs, but I have to imagine this is the type of scare that may end a career even if he's okay.

[iluvlamp]

I wish him the best. I thought it was stupid for him to come back from the first injury considering his style of play. Hope it turns out well.

[TooLiveBrew]

Oh dear. My heart sank when I read this thread title. TJ, I hope you pull out of this one ok. Please don't try to make a comeback again - for your own good.

 

His spinal cord narrows toward its base - that's the medical condition to which crewcrazy referred.

[PrinceFielder28]

I wish him the best...I think it is time for him to retire!

[bobbledude25]

wow that video makes me cringe! ouch!

[bball123h2]

Wow. Horford must feel pretty horrible right now. Hopefully things turn out ok.

[Point Beer Is Best]

Oh dear. My heart sank when I read this thread title. TJ, I hope you pull out of this one ok. Please don't try to make a comeback again - for your own good.

 

His spinal cord narrows toward its base - that's the medical condition to which crewcrazy referred.

Doesn't he have that "Spinal Stenosis" or something like that (which is the technical name for what you are describing, I think)? If so, its the same thing that Terrence Murphy has (which ended his career).

 

[bball123h2]

ESPN just reported that TJ has feeling in all his extremities, so thats a pretty big positive.

[GAME05]

I hate watching those videos, i think i'll pass. so happy he's got feeling back. glad he's made some good money already that he can leave the sport and be comfortable.

[jlau20]

It's good news that he's got feeling in his extremities, but I still feel terrible for the guy. He is an exciting guy to watch play, hustle and everything. It's just too bad that he gets beat up so bad when he goes down in the paint with the big guys.

 

My Dad used to work for the company that prints the Bucks programs and one time he was taking something down to the Bucks practice facility and got to meet TJ because TJ parked his car right next to my Dad. He said TJ was really cool, and he signed some stuff for us.

[Chio151]

I say this with total empathy towards TJ -- he should retire. The fact is, he is at such a risk for permanent spinal cord damage that he should start to look at the rest of his life.

[JJHardy7]

He should probably retire. I've always been a big TJ Ford fan, but some of this goes back before his pro days even. I believe he got hurt in a practice or pick up game before he was a pro when he started having these problems.

 

I was shocked watching this on SportsCenter because they showed how well he was playing and then the injury. I thought it was just going to be a huge night by TJ -- not a horrible night. Best of luck to him and he has plenty of money to retire and maybe get into coaching if he wants.

[endaround]

This is why the Bucks had to trade him. You judt can't hold onto a guy who should retire

[Samurai Bucky]

I don't what I can say that hasn't already been said. The image that sticks out for me is him on his back crying on the floor. The flood of emotions that he must have been (and probably is) going through has to be tough.

 

Is this the same type of injury / condition that forced Sterling Sharpe to retire?

[TooLiveBrew]

TJ has feeling in all his extremities, so thats a pretty big positive.

 

Phew! Best of luck to T.J. I hope he can get back to 100% healthy. I think it's time to prepare for life after basketball, sadly.

[sgtcluels]

I hope it was just a nasty bump on the head that made him seem to be in so much pain and not another spinal injury. I do believe he had problems in the lower back around S1 and not in the upper C section of the spine. So here's to a knee jerk reaction by coaching staff, us and the media.

 

And I believe Sharpe fractured 2 discs in C section of his spine and resulted in a fusion of the discs. The problem with fusions is that more stress is placed on the discs above and below the fusion, ohhh and limited mobility. Not cool, I have bad discs in my lumbar (required surgery) and I hope it doesn't continue to progress and I eventually do not need fusion.