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Pray for Kevin Ware
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krux Offline
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Post: #1
Pray for Kevin Ware
I just had to come here and brag on my team tonight. Not for the win. While it was awesome, I think tonight showed why we Louisville fans are so passionate about our team. They truly are a family and the world saw that tonight. Pure human emotion and spirit.

[Image: 392624_10102333973330668_732782559_n.jpg]

This was written by Bob Valvano, Jimmy V's brother. I think it sums it up nicely. It's a little lengthy but worth posting IMO.

Quote:Robert Valvano
Okay violating my self imposed Facebook abstinence here just one time before June 1, but I hope you will understand...
Today was that exceptional...

I have broadcast games for 17 years, 12 on radio with Paul Rogers for the University of Louisville games. Only one other time, of a much more personal nature, was I moved to tears on the air. In Albeuquerque, the same site as my brother Jim's national championship, Louisville came from 20 points down in an Elite Eight game to go to Rick Pitino's first Final Four with the Cards. For various reasons, including a tremendously generous gesture by then assistant coach Kevin Willard, I was so moved...but that was more personal...

Today, Kevin Ware suffered one of the most gruesome injuries you'll see on basketball court, or anywhere. In the first half, he jumped to challenge a shot, simply landed wrong and his leg was grotesquely broken and twisted.
What followed was unlike anything I have seen at a game, coaching or broadcasting. Louisville players began crying on the court; a few vomited at the sight, as the injury was right in front of the bench. Duke players and Coach K were obviously moved as well...
Making it more surreal was how it happened. No one could see from the outer reaches of this vast arena what exactly occurred. Even our viewpoint, courtside right opposite Louisville's bench was difficult to see, but players on the court, who could see it in detail, started dropping to the court. Paul and I thought there might have been a collision we missed. A few broadcasters in the further points actually thought someone took a shot at the players; in this day of terrorism that may be sad, but not illogical.
Three players dropped to the court. Peyton Siva dropped to a knee to pray...clearly not business as usual...

As the time stretched on, it became apparent the injury was awful. In today's instant media,pictures were quickly transmitted. The players looked stunned, sad, bewildered...
Kevin Ware asked his teammates to gather around before going off on a stretcher and told them, "I will be fine. Now go out and win this game..." which only added to the emotional impact...

What transpired after halftime was almost overwhelming to witness. The emotion etched on the players' faces was unlike any I had ever seen at a game. I can't even describe it, truly...pain over their friend, effort to refocus on the game, determination to win, in many ways for Kevin Ware.
It seemed like little happened to make people forget the injury. As Louisville improbably pulled away to a 22 point win, the crowd started chanting "Ke-Vin, Ke-Vin..." The game ended without the Cards cutting the nets down, and Rick Pitino urging the crowd to honor Kevin by chanting again as he stood on the podium.

There was a play very late with the game essentially over, where Luke Hancock--who started the year so bumpily and was the subject of fans' wrath-- taking a leadership role, waving everyone away so he could create a shot for walk on Tim Henderson, who proceeded to nail a three point shot, and receive an exuberant hug from the normally stoic Hancock.
All game we saw that emotion from players who rarely show it. It is one of the times sitting courtside gives a vantage point I am not sure TV could capture...although I know many simply watching at home were moved to tears...

And so my broadcast partner was moved to tears as well...and I was unable to do much to help him...overwhelming...

It was incredible...and I thought about why? Players get hurt all the time...why was this so emotional?

Of course it was gruesome. That is undeniably a big part. But to watch the unique bond that is a team, and how much pain these kids had to play through, and how they rallied together...AND rallied to play for their fallen teammate...again, overwhelming...

I was moved at the emotion by the Duke players and coaches as well.That was a reminder again how blessed you are when the outcome of a game can be so important to you. It IS important; that's fine, but in moments like that you realize how fleeting it all can be and how it can all go away. Even young bullet proof players at that moment can't help but be reminded, "There but for the grace of God go I"...

It makes anyone watching feel the same about their own lives. How fragile it all can be; you must embrace the moments, pull those dear to you near, and don't waste the time you have with them...it all can go away so fast...

Yes, all that from basketball game. So I was very moved, and know I wasn't alone...

After the game I got a hug from Russ Smith who was devestated at the injury. I got to share a moment with Gorgei Dieng and Peyton Siva, emotional and spiritual leaders in many ways on this team. It is different, a bit subdued, but they are happy and proud, and maybe in many ways, more meaningful than just a usual post game congratulations...

I wander around for a bit, pass a closed training room and hear what sounds like a player laughing hysterically. I ask, "Is that someone laughing?". Somber subdued voices tell me, no those sounds are from one of the players crying, wailing, the sounds now gut wrenching as I realize what the reality actually is...

i won't mention the player's name, as i am not interested in violating his privacy, but i am reminded again...they're people, not X's and O's,and in so many meaningful ways, just kids at that.

Every once in a while the game transcends the sport, and the sport transcends itself, sending life lessons and creating human drama of the highest order.

Today was one of those days, and I was humbled to try and help Paul find the words to describe it on radio.
That's probably impossible, when you are asked to describe some things you've never seen before.

But I will never forget having the opportunity today, to try...
03-31-2013 09:28 PM
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bearcat29 Offline
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Post: #2
RE: Pray for Kevin Ware
I hope the kid is ok. I'm not an expert, but the way it looked like it
broke, it was clean. As long as the bones did not do any major damage to the muscles etc during the time of the trauma and subsequent fall to the ground, I think he will have a fairly quick recovery.

To UofL's teams credit, they pulled their disbelief and emotions back to win the game. Good luck to the young man and I hope he is hooping it up soon.
03-31-2013 10:10 PM
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krux Offline
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Post: #3
RE: Pray for Kevin Ware
He's supposedly already out of surgery. Pitino called it Michael Bush-esq. Hopefully he can bounce back like Mike.
03-31-2013 10:18 PM
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Frog in the Kitchen Sink Offline
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Post: #4
RE: Pray for Kevin Ware
I would think he has a good long term prognosis unless there was nerve or vessel damage or it is a pathologic fracture (i.e. underlying disease process like a tumor). Sometimes the gruesomeness is greater than the long term impact on those type injuries.
03-31-2013 11:09 PM
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AntiG Offline
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Post: #5
RE: Pray for Kevin Ware
(03-31-2013 11:09 PM)Frog in the Kitchen Sink Wrote:  I would think he has a good long term prognosis unless there was nerve or vessel damage or it is a pathologic fracture (i.e. underlying disease process like a tumor). Sometimes the gruesomeness is greater than the long term impact on those type injuries.

Yeah other than something like bone necrosis like Garrison Hearst and Bo Jackson had, he should be fine. As gruesome as it looked, its usually better to break bones than to tear ligaments.
03-31-2013 11:22 PM
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hburg Offline
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Post: #6
RE: Pray for Kevin Ware
Who was the Kentucky player that fractured his leg back in the 80's-Sam Bowie, right? I know his injury wasn't as gruesome, but I bet the player will be out all next year. I seriously doubt his NBA hopes are over, but I guess it could be. Just don't rush it.
03-31-2013 11:44 PM
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Vewb1 Offline
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Post: #7
RE: Pray for Kevin Ware
what does this have to do with conference realignment?? This should be in the UL area. The young man will be ok. According to Pitino at the end of the game, he will take a year to recover and most likely be ready to play after that.
(This post was last modified: 04-01-2013 08:21 AM by Vewb1.)
04-01-2013 08:20 AM
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CK42NC Offline
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Post: #8
RE: Pray for Kevin Ware
Your heart has to go out for Kevin, his Family and his team. At this point we can only pray that we see him back at full strength one day in the future! I'm still shocked at what happened. Praying and wishing the best for him.
Good Luck #5
04-01-2013 09:33 AM
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krux Offline
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Post: #9
RE: Pray for Kevin Ware
(04-01-2013 08:20 AM)Vewb1 Wrote:  what does this have to do with conference realignment?? This should be in the UL area. The young man will be ok. According to Pitino at the end of the game, he will take a year to recover and most likely be ready to play after that.

A lot of well wishes have poured in from multiple fan bases so I thought this conglomerate of fans would be interested. My apologies.
04-01-2013 09:35 AM
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VA49er Offline
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Post: #10
RE: Pray for Kevin Ware
(04-01-2013 09:35 AM)krux Wrote:  
(04-01-2013 08:20 AM)Vewb1 Wrote:  what does this have to do with conference realignment?? This should be in the UL area. The young man will be ok. According to Pitino at the end of the game, he will take a year to recover and most likely be ready to play after that.

A lot of well wishes have poured in from multiple fan bases so I thought this conglomerate of fans would be interested. My apologies.

No need to apologize.

I'm no fan of Louisville, but his injury transcends basketball. Best of luck to Ware and hopeful for a speedy recovery.
04-01-2013 10:06 AM
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Maize Offline
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Post: #11
RE: Pray for Kevin Ware
(04-01-2013 10:06 AM)VA49er Wrote:  
(04-01-2013 09:35 AM)krux Wrote:  
(04-01-2013 08:20 AM)Vewb1 Wrote:  what does this have to do with conference realignment?? This should be in the UL area. The young man will be ok. According to Pitino at the end of the game, he will take a year to recover and most likely be ready to play after that.

A lot of well wishes have poured in from multiple fan bases so I thought this conglomerate of fans would be interested. My apologies.

No need to apologize.

I'm no fan of Louisville, but his injury transcends basketball. Best of luck to Ware and hopeful for a speedy recovery.

It was pretty much one of the leadoffs on the Morning National News...
04-01-2013 11:23 AM
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bitcruncher Offline
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Post: #12
RE: Pray for Kevin Ware
Seeing that put me in mind of Joe Theisman and Ed McCaffrey. It's hard to watch something like that...
04-01-2013 11:40 AM
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krux Offline
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Post: #13
RE: Pray for Kevin Ware
Didn't want to start a new thread but here's an update/interview with Kevin. Kinda got me when he talked about waking up and seeing that trophy and knowing his brothers won it for him.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketba...ft-my-mark
04-03-2013 11:51 AM
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Jeffkills Offline
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Post: #14
RE: Pray for Kevin Ware
Pray for a broken leg?

Jesus Christ...
04-06-2013 10:00 PM
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arkstfan Away
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Post: #15
RE: Pray for Kevin Ware
Yeah cause broken legs are no big deal, right Neil Parry?
04-06-2013 10:38 PM
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