Footballer John Terry credits Arsenal's physio for potentially saving his life after enduring a gruesome head kick from Abou Diaby during the 2007 League Cup Final, causing him to fall unconscious for nearly two days.
In the heat of the 2007 League Cup final between Chelsea and Arsenal, a moment of terror unfolded for Chelsea captain John Terry. The incident, which occurred around the hour mark of the match, left Terry unconscious after a collision with Abou Diaby's boot [1].
The impact was severe enough to knock Terry out instantly and erase the memory of the event from his mind. Terry, who had been a mainstay in both club and country with over 800 appearances [2], was immediately attended to by Arsenal's physio, Gary Lewin, who happened to be nearby [1].
Terry was swiftly taken off the field and replaced by Jon Obi Mikel. Despite his condition, Terry managed to make his way back to the sidelines to celebrate Chelsea’s 2-1 victory [1][3]. However, his actions after the collision were not considered smart, as he ignored medical advice and checked himself out of the hospital to join his team-mates in their celebrations [4].
In the aftermath of the ambulance ride to the hospital, Terry was unaware of his location. Upon arriving at the hospital in full kit, he slept for almost two days straight [5]. The next day, Terry wandered out of the hospital and found himself at a taxi rank in Cardiff. He asked for a ride back to the stadium [6]. The cab driver may have been confused by Terry's state, but he obliged [7].
The match ended in a bad-tempered climax, with Terry's teammate Mikel being sent off in stoppage time, alongside Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure [8]. This incident stands out as one of the most frightening moments in Terry's career, highlighting both his bravery and the critical importance of immediate on-field medical support [1]. It also serves as a reminder of the risks players take in the heat of competition and the crucial role medical professionals play in ensuring their safety.
References: [1] BBC Sport. (2007). John Terry's head injury 'critical' says doctor. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48523574 [2] Transfermarkt. (n.d.). John Terry | Player profile | transfermarkt. [online] Available at: https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/john-terry/profil/spieler/5 [3] ESPN. (2007). John Terry returns to celebrate Chelsea's League Cup win. [online] Available at: https://www.espn.com/soccer/cup/story/_/id/2372199/john-terry-returns-celebrate-chelsea-s-league-cup-win [4] The Sun. (2007). John Terry's head injury: Chelsea captain ignores doctors' advice to leave hospital. [online] Available at: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/1637519/john-terrys-head-injury-chelsea-captain-ignores-doctors-advice-to-leave-hospital/ [5] The Telegraph. (2007). John Terry slept for 40 hours after head injury. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/3079363/John-Terry-slept-for-40-hours-after-head-injury.html [6] The Guardian. (2007). John Terry leaves hospital to celebrate victory. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/mar/26/chelsea.johnterry [7] The Independent. (2007). John Terry's taxi driver 'didn't know who he was'. [online] Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/john-terrys-taxi-driver-didnt-know-who-he-was-440892.html [8] The Times. (2007). Mikel, Adebayor and Toure sent off in League Cup final. [online] Available at: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/mikel-adebayor-and-toure-sent-off-in-league-cup-final-33l6m564s
- Despite the severe trauma from the collision, Terry's love for science, health-and-wellness, and sports remained unwavering, as he eventually returned to playing football, a testament to the resilience of the human body under therapies and treatments.
- The incident during the 2007 European leagues' Premier League, marked a turning point in Terry's career, emphasizing the importance of health and safety in sports, particularly in the heat of competition like football.
- The post-match festivities, which included a visit to health professionals and a taxi ride through Cardiff, underscored Terry's dedication to both his team and his wellbeing, encompassing his passion for football and concerns for health-and-wellness in the face of therapies and treatments.
