Mississippi State’s Quarterback Nick Fitzgerald suffered a gruesome leg injury during a rushing attempt on November 23, and he was carried off the field. You can watch the video above and see photos of the injury below, but be aware that it’s a disturbing injury. The injury occurred in the first quarter of the Mississippi State-Ole Miss game on Thanksgiving Day.
Here’s a longer video that includes the aftermath:
Here’s another view:
“Ole Miss players were all kneeling out of respect for Fitzgerald, and some players even cheered when he was put on the cart to show respect,” reported SaturdayDownSouth.com. According to SBNation, “The play happened on the Bulldogs’ second possession, and both Ole Miss and Bulldog players knelt down on the field as Davis Wade Stadium and the ESPN broadcast watched in silence. Fitzgerald, a junior, threw for 1,770 yards and 15 touchdowns so far this season. In 2016, he threw for 2,423 yards and 21 more touchdowns.”
Some people thought the injury resembled the injury suffered by Boston Celtic star Gordon Hayward. Hayward suffered a horrifically twisted and fractured ankle, and it was season ending, although he’s already back in the gym. In the moments right after the injury happened to Fitzgerald, it was not yet clear how serious it would be in terms of his career, but the images didn’t look good at all, to say the least. The Sporting News also noticed the comparison, and said Fitzgerald’s wound appeared to be to his ankle: “The collision appeared to dislocate his right ankle, similar to the injury Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward suffered on the opening night of the NBA season,” the site reported.
Here’s a comparison photo of Hayward’s wound:
https://twitter.com/IslaAbsorb/status/929194314973855744
According to ESPN, “The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Fitzgerald was running the ball when he was tackled and his leg bent awkwardly. Athletic trainers immediately ran onto the field and tended to the QB for several minutes before he exited on the cart with his foot in an air cast.” 247Sports reported, “Mississippi State came in ranked No. 14 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings.” Here’s video of the moment that Fitzgerald was carted off the field:
Photos showed that Fitzgerald’s foot was twisted into an unnatural position. Fans filled social media with well wishes for Fitzgerald. “Praying for Nick Fitzgerald. Good gracious. Hate to see anybody go through an injury like that,” wrote one. Wrote another, “Ugh just saw Nick Fitzgerald’s injury. D*mn I hate that for him. Great person and player. Really hope he has a speedy recovery.” Others offered prayers. “Injury suffered by @HailStateFB’s Nick Fitzgerald looked awful. He’s one of CFB’s top QBs. Hoping for a speedy recovery,” wrote one.
Fitzgerald maintained a positive attitude, even giving a thumb’s up as he was taken away from the field. Here’s another view of the horrific foot injury:
Some fans responded with memes and GIFS, expressing horror:
According to Mississippi State, “Freshman Keyaton Thompson is Fitzgerald’s back-up. Fitzgerald had been having a terrific junior season for the Bulldogs.” Some fans tried not to watch: “I’m pretty sure I’m glad I didn’t see Nick Fitzgerald injury. I’ll be avoiding the replay,” wrote one fan on Twitter.
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