Kevin Ware Broken Leg: 4 Other Horrifying Athlete Injuries

Injuries in sports come and go on a regular basis. Many times athletes play through pain such as a quarterback suiting up with a sore throwing arm or a basketball star battling run-down knees. In Sunday's NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional final between the Louisville Cardinals and Duke Blue Devils however, sports fans around the globe witnessed an injury many thought unimaginable. An injury no one could have played through.

Louisville sophomore guard Kevin Ware, a highly-recruited athlete out of high school, suffered a gruesome broken leg on a relatively routine play when he went up to defend a three-pointer by Duke guard Tyler Thornton with 6:33 remaining in the first half. Fans attending the game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis were left stunned while players and coaches from both teams broke down in tears and disbelief from what they had just seen. Ware's teammate Chane Behanon, a key contributor to Louisville's second-consecutive trip to the Final Four, had perhaps the most detailed explanation of the injury saying, "The bone was literally out. I saw white, it was literally out." Ware had successful surgery that same night and some reports even say he could be playing basketball again in less than a year.

With that terrible injury in mind, let's take a look at some other awful injuries that have taken place over the years in sports.

1. Nov. 18, 1985 - Joe Theismann Gruesome Sack vs. New York Giants

A legend to Washington Redskins fans because of his play, Joe Theismann may be remembered more-so because of the comminuted compound fracture he suffered while being sacked by New York Giant greats Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson. Upon climbing off Theismann after the hit, Taylor screamed for the trainers to come to the aid of the agonizing quarterback. Theismann's lower leg bones broke between his ankle and knee in such a way that the Super Bowl-winning QB was forced to retire at the age of 36. With an injury that compares so closely to that of Kevin Ware, Theismann reached out to the student-athlete to offer words of encouragement.

2. March 22, 1989 - Clint Malarchuk Survives Life-Threatening Injury on Ice

Regarded as one of the worst in-game injuries in the history of professional sports, former Buffalo Sabre goaltender Clint Malarchuk suffered a severed carotid artery after Steve Tuttle, formerly of the St. Louis Blues, sliced him with his skate while chasing down a loose puck. While Malarchuk was able to eventually skate off the ice, the artery needed 300 stitches to repair the open wound and the scene of blood on the ice caused many in attendance to faint and vomit.

3. Sept. 16, 1993 - Moises Alou Injures Left Leg and Ankle

In what started out as a routine run up the first base line, Moises Alou suffered one of the most memorable injuries in baseball. While rounding the bag at Busch Stadium in St. Louis as a member of the Montreal Expos, Alou's cleat got stuck in the turf, forcing his leg to snap. The injury also caused Alou to dislocate his ankle in what was a very vivid image for those in attendance. Alou went on to have a solid career following successful surgery to repair the injury.

4. Oct. 1, 2005 - Tyrone Prothro's Leg Snaps Coming Down From Catch

With the ability to catch anything thrown his way, former Alabama Crimson Tide wide out Tyrone Prothro is perhaps better known for the injury he suffered in 2005. Following a catch in a 31-3 win over rival Florida, Prothro landed so awkwardly that he fractured both his tibia and fibula bones. The injury ended his junior season and despite many attempts to get back on the field, that catch against the Gators was his last.

As you can see there have been many terrifying injuries seen throughout the wide world of sports. Does Kevin Ware's injury stand out to you as the worst you've ever witnessed? Maybe it's another painful moment you have in mind. Feel free to chime in and tell us about the worst sports accident you've seen!