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5 great NFL players who overcame major injuries

By Dylan Schmittler

FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 29: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shakes hands with Los Angeles Chargers Philip Rivers after they defeated the Chargers 21-13 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on Oct. 29, 2017. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 29: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady shakes hands with Los Angeles Chargers Philip Rivers after they defeated the Chargers 21-13 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on Oct. 29, 2017. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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Injuries have often derailed some of football’s best players. Luckily, some athletes can overcome major injuries and continue their excellent careers.

In the National Football League, injuries are a common occurrence in every season. Some athletes cannot return to their former selves after a serious injury. Luckily, the best NFL players can be equal or better after a major injury.

With Tiger Woods winning his fifth Masters green jacket after back, knee, and neck operations throughput his golf career, it’s a good time to look at five NFL players who have successfully come back from their major injuries.

Tom Brady

When Brady tore his ACL in the 2008 season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, this looked like the end of the Patriots dynasty.

Instead of this injury ending a Hall of Fame career, Brady has since been the leader for five Super Bowl appearances, added three Lombardi trophies, two MVPs and established himself as the best quarterback ever.  New England’s last non-playoff season also occurred in 2008, when Brady basically missed the whole year. In the last decade, New England has won its division 10 straight times.

Peyton Manning

Like Brady, Manning also dealt with multiple neck surgeries and operations during his tremendous career with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos. After missing the 2011 season, Indianapolis released Manning, which led him to Denver.

Despite the surgeries and diminished arm strength, Manning showed his passing repertoire with Denver, where his NFL–record 5,477 yards and 55 touchdowns threw the Broncos to Super Bowl XLVIII against the Seattle Seahawks. In Manning’s final season, he fought through a foot injury and inconsistent play to a Super Bowl 50 triumph over the Carolina Panthers.

Adrian Peterson

Since 2007, Peterson has been a freak with his talent and his injury recovery. In Dec. 2011, Peterson tore his ACL and MCL in a game against the Washington Redskins, ending his season and put his career in question.

Less than nine months after his knee injuries, Peterson was ready for the season. That year, he actually came within nine yards of breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record. Peterson beat Manning for the 2012 MVP. In 2018, Peterson rushed for 1,042 yards and seven touchdowns with the Redskins at age 33.

Ray Lewis

Sometimes, an injured player’s presence is sorely needed. During his career, Lewis was one of the best and most determined linebackers. In 2012, Ray Lewis almost saw his brilliant career end with a torn triceps in a Week 6 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Baltimore lost five of its remaining 10 games with Lewis out. Lewis came back for the playoffs, where playoff-high 51 tackles and toughness led the Ravens to an improbable Super Bowl XLVII win over the San Francisco 49ers.

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Philip Rivers

Over his 15-year career, Rivers has been one of the NFL’s toughest quarterbacks. Every Sunday, Rivers is taking shots after throwing his passes. In the 2007 AFC Divisional round against the Colts, Rivers tore his ACL.

Despite the ACL, Rivers played one week later in the 2007 AFC Championship, where the Patriots beat the Los Angeles Chargers, 21-12. Rivers threw for 211 yards, but his toughness was never lost for risking his entire career for a shot at the Super Bowl. Since 2006, Rivers has a 13-year streak starting every game for the Chargers.