Celebrity Achilles Tendon Injuries

Brendan has been keeping an excellent list of Achilles Tendon Injuries:

Brendan’s Recognizable names to have torn Achilles tendons

65 Responses to “Celebrity Achilles Tendon Injuries”

  1. daveleft, on May 15th, 2008 at 2:21 pm Said:

    Add another basketball related one to the list:

    Christian Laettner ruptured his Achilles’ tendon in a pickup game at Duke University and could face up to nine months of rehabilitation.
    (September 11, 1998)

  2. matts, on May 16th, 2008 at 12:23 pm Said:

    Missy Elliot-Famous Rapper had a tear in her Achilles Tendon as well.

  3. matts, on May 16th, 2008 at 2:05 pm Said:

    Here are some more- Greg Ellis, Dallas Cowboys and was the 2007 NFL’s Comeback Player of the year. Takeo Spikes, Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl Plaeyer, Bryant Westbrook-Detroit Lions, Cornerback…Kevin Frandsen of Baseballs San Francisco Giants, with his injury occuring on 3-25-08. I think if Greg Ellis can comeback and continue to play Professional Football with the same injury we all share, well that is all the motivation that we all need.

  4. annieh, on May 29th, 2008 at 3:41 pm Said:

    Here are a few names of athletes over here in England who have suffered with achilles tendon ruptures:

    Sufferers of the condition include Scottish downhill skier Finlay Mickel, who sustained the damage during a training accident, Liverpool defender Fabio Aurelio, England rugby player Lewis Moody and Aston Villa football defender Curtis Davies.

    But the most successful by far was Dame Kelly Holmes, double Olympic Gold Medal runner at the 2004 Olympics. Dame Kelly retired because of her injury in 2007.

  5. j211, on June 1st, 2008 at 4:38 pm Said:

    Elton Brand - LA Clippers

  6. damacar, on June 5th, 2008 at 5:47 pm Said:

    Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Ruptured his achilles during the filming of “The Game Plan”.

  7. Matt D., on July 5th, 2008 at 11:20 pm Said:

    Dan Mario torn his achilles during a game in Cleveland in 1993. Had surgery in Oct of 93 and was quoted in the Miami Herald in Dec on 94′ as having to have his achilles re-examined becuase his calf-muscle was not progressing as well as he had hoped. This has been the toughest injury I have ever expirenced. Dan M. gives me the motivation….great guy, class act and sports player of our time.

  8. rich, on July 20th, 2008 at 4:16 pm Said:

    VP Al Gore ruptured his AT in 1994 while he was playing a game of pick-up basketball at the gym. He was 46 at the time.

    Also . . .

    WBA Russian heavyweight “champion in recess” Ruslan “white Tyson” Chagaev ruptured his achilles tendon sparring in Germany as he trained for a title fight scheduled for July 5. He was 29 at the time. He is rescheduled to fight for the title next year.

  9. craig, on August 9th, 2008 at 9:04 pm Said:

    Bad week for professional athletes this week.

    Jose Contreras, pitcher for the Chicago White Sox ruptured his achilles today.

    Stanley Wilson cornerback for the Detroit Lions ruptured his this past Thursday.

  10. dave, on August 10th, 2008 at 12:40 pm Said:

    And for Olympians:

    One of the best Bulgarian competitors, world and European freestyle wrestling vice champion Anatoly Guidia ruptured an Achilles tendon during a training session and had to be taken to a local hospital in Beijing for surgery.

  11. Jonas, on August 19th, 2008 at 1:25 pm Said:

    Isiah Thomas of NBA fame and Tameka Catchings of the WNBA both suffered ATRs. Tameka just started back with her team this season.
    Elton Brand did his in training last August and actually played the last five games of the season this past April. Count’em…..seven months. He’s a big guy too.

  12. Craig, on October 2nd, 2008 at 1:17 am Said:

    Kevin Frandsen of the SF Giants suffered an ATR in March. He came back in the final game of the season for a single at-bat in the last half of the eighth inning. He hit a sharp grounder to the hole between third and short. Angel Berroa made a nice play and threw him out by half a step. Made me wonder if Frandsen would have beat out the throw 8 months ago pre ATR…

  13. Chrissy, on October 8th, 2008 at 8:25 am Said:

    Add Misty May-Treanor to the list…poor girl. The good thing is that she said she was planning some time off the court anyhow, so I guess it happened at a good time…

  14. bernardhg, on October 10th, 2008 at 11:08 am Said:

    I do believe that Brad Pitt tore his achilles tendon (possibly not full rupture) whilst filming Troy…..playing Achilles

  15. tiancai17, on October 15th, 2008 at 8:55 pm Said:

    Incubus Singer -> http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1484489/20040121/incubus.jhtml

  16. maestro, on October 18th, 2008 at 1:45 pm Said:

    NFL players Lawrence Taylor & Vinny Testaverde

  17. marianne, on February 28th, 2009 at 6:58 pm Said:

    Gabe Kapler, 2005 Boston Red Sox
    here’s a story and a video someone posted:

    http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2005/09/15/kaplers_injury_will_leave_the_sox_scrambling/

    http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=726908836840

  18. Craig, on March 4th, 2009 at 12:38 pm Said:

    Jose Contreras of the White Sox ruptured last August and is now throwing bullpen sessions in preparation for the 2009 season. Apparently, he is 3 months ahead of schedule in his recovery!

    http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap;_ylt=Ave3PygNnljwPM37D3U1IqMU0bYF?gid=290302104&prov=ap

    Hope everyone is healing!

  19. Marianne, on April 10th, 2009 at 1:09 pm Said:

    Jose Contreras is scheduled to pitch tonight (Friday, April 10) for the Chicago White Sox. ATR in August 2008. I’m a Red Sox fan, but tonight, I’m all about the White Sox! Go Jose!

  20. ep1977, on April 10th, 2009 at 2:24 pm Said:

    Lets go Yankees!!!!

  21. Nils, on June 17th, 2009 at 11:25 am Said:

    The Bulgaria and Manchester City striker Valeri Bojinov. I know Darren “sicknote” Anderton was troubled by his Achilles, but not sure whether it was a rupture or something else

  22. tommo21, on June 18th, 2009 at 7:28 am Said:

    Australian Rugby Union Player Matt Dunning ruptured his Achilles on the dodgy Wembley surface in December 2008. He returned for his Sydney club side in May 2009.

    NZ All Black and QLD Reds flanker Daniel Braid had an ATR in April 2009 and subssequently had his lucrative Welsh rugby contract for 2009 torn up - poor bugger! Good news for the Reds though, he has resigned for the 2010 season - great player.

    World’s best five-eight Dan Carter has also suffered a partial ATR playing in Eurpoe and had to miss the Super 14 and likely international seasons this year - FAIL!

  23. trisportgirl, on July 30th, 2009 at 10:58 pm Said:

    To add to the list…NFL middle LB Ed Hartwell (Atlanta Falcons) ruptured his right Achilles in October 2005 and missed the rest of the season. After rehabbing for a couple of years, then being signed but quickly released from the Raiders, he never reached his earlier potential and did not return to play in the NFL. He was also beset by knee injuries, which I’m sure added to this inability to regain his prior strength and ability.

  24. ultidad, on October 26th, 2009 at 12:53 am Said:

    Antwan Odom, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end 10/18/09

  25. ultidad, on January 3rd, 2010 at 2:19 am Said:

    Some good news from the recovery standpoint: Baron Batch, Tx Tech running back, had an ATR mid-season 2006, sat out entire 2007 season and was Tech’s leading rusher in the Alamo Bowl tonight.

  26. chana7, on February 20th, 2010 at 2:40 pm Said:

    Thought I would add some to this list that I’ve heard about whilst reconvering:

    1) Brad Pitt ruptured his achilles whilst filming the film Troy. The character he was playing at the time (this is the good bit) was called Achilles and was shot in the heel by an arrow in the films climax. Crazy but true!! Achilles heel! More info on IMDB.

    2) Edge (from WWE) ruputured his achilles atnd recently returned to the ring after 7 months out to win the Royal Rumble! How about that for a comeback! There are videos on youtube of his surgery etc

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtqaJALUka0

    3) Darren Campbell (UK 100m and 200m runner). Heres a video where he describes his injury…

    http://www.socceram.com/media/video/0,21631,,00.html

    4) Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

  27. jgigs, on February 20th, 2010 at 3:04 pm Said:

    The Chinese Figure skater who just won gold in the pairs also ruptured his Achilles.

  28. marina, on February 20th, 2010 at 4:28 pm Said:

    Maybe the question is stupid, but is there a way to check my good tendon? How do I know if I have tendonitis etc, if I’m not in any pain or discomfort at all?? Will an MRI help at all?

  29. doug53, on February 20th, 2010 at 4:43 pm Said:

    Yes, a tendon can be checked for tendinosis by MRI or ultrasound, but I don’t know any specifics, or how much expertise is needed to read the results accurately.

    I’ve had the same thought,

    Doug

  30. Chana7, on March 15th, 2010 at 9:42 am Said:

    We better add the legend David Beckham to this list. THERES ONLY ONNNNNE DAVID BECKHAM.

  31. 2ndtimer, on March 15th, 2010 at 10:01 am Said:

    Let’s not forget about Donovan Baily on this list: gold medalist and world record holder of 100 meter sprint at the 1996 olympics. he ruptured his tendon playing basketball in 1998 and was back racing in the 2000 olympics.

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  33. thenxtgrt1, on June 2nd, 2010 at 11:31 am Said:

    I just saw this on ESPN. It looks like starting safety for the Philadelphia Eagles, Marlin Jackson, ruptured his right achilles tendon and is out for the season. He’s had a rough last couple of years. He has torn the ACL in both his right and left knees. And now this. I’ll be tracking his recovery. The link to the story is below.

    http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5239640

  34. Emily, on September 5th, 2010 at 4:25 am Said:

    Alex Wong, from So you think you can dance Season 7 (i think). he had to pull out halfway through the show =(

  35. ultidad, on November 13th, 2010 at 10:54 pm Said:

    Northwestern Univ quarterback Dan Persa just ruptured his while running to celebrate a touchdown pass that he had just thrown

  36. lose weight fast, on August 28th, 2011 at 11:24 pm Said:

    I have not checked in here for some time as I thought it was getting boring, but the last handful of posts are really good quality so I guess I will add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend. :)

  37. rob base, on September 22nd, 2011 at 12:27 pm Said:

    Marcus Wiley former linebacker ESPN analyst just finished his rehab from 3 months ago

  38. shootingthebreeze, on September 23rd, 2011 at 1:53 am Said:

    Be interesting to know what his rehab program consisted of ….

  39. brian, on October 19th, 2011 at 1:33 pm Said:

    Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies ruptured his achilles tendon in the final game of this years NLDS.

    http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ycn-10198425

  40. brianjohnson, on October 23rd, 2011 at 8:00 pm Said:

    I was at that game at Wembley when Matt Dunning ruptured his Achillies. I was in the front row and and could see the look on his face and thought “poor bugger - he’s in trouble there”. Now I know how he feels.

  41. Steve, on January 4th, 2012 at 7:36 pm Said:

    Two premiership footballers in England have done theirs in the last month or so-Jermaine Jenas and Steven Taylor.

  42. ali, on January 10th, 2012 at 6:22 pm Said:

    Judi Dench got a torn achilles during a rehearsal for Cats in 1981. Elaine Paige had to take her place.

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  45. Peapod Promo Code, on February 28th, 2012 at 6:44 am Said:

    Some of those things describe what we go through but it definitely is making me be more compassionate.

  46. caddie, on July 6th, 2012 at 7:07 pm Said:

    Leon hall CB for the Cincinnati Bengals ruptured his Achilles last November. He has been on the field for workouts. Still rehabbing but is expected to be back on the field this August.

  47. benz, on August 1st, 2012 at 6:43 pm Said:

    This list is making me feel a lot better about my ATR & recovery. Thanks Brendan!

  48. normofthenorth, on August 9th, 2012 at 2:18 pm Said:

    Misty May-Treanor –who became the world’s most celebrated female beach-volleyball player BEFORE her 2008 or 09 ATR in a rehearsal for Dancing With the Stars (in running shoes on a polished floor) — just won her THIRD Olympic Gold Medal in Beach ball with long-time partner Kerri Walsh (Jennings). I don’t think she held back or “lost” much because of the ATR. . . She is retirint now, though.

  49. benz, on August 10th, 2012 at 4:39 am Said:

    Terrell Suggs, all-pro linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens & my favorite NFL player not on the NY Giants. Terrell had one of the best years of his career in 2011. He was named first team all pro, selected to represent the AFC in the Pro Bowl, and was named NFL defensive player of the year by the AP, NFL 101 & Pro Football Weekly. He is the Ravens all time leader in sacks and at 6-3, 260 lbs can run the 40yd dash in less than 4.9 seconds. In short he is a dominating NFL player who combines elite athletic ability with imposing size & strength. Terrell tore his Achilles this past May either playing basketball or working out. The reason for the lack of clarity is due to the fact that his contract could be voided if his team believes he put himself at risk through a non football-related activity. I could really relate to this quote I found in USA Today where Suggs speaks on appreciating what one cannot do with an ATR.

    “This is a very unfamiliar feeling for me. I used to dread this. ‘Oh my God, I have minicamp. You have to go back and go in the sun.’ But now, I’ve never appreciated it so much because I’ve never had to sit and watch my brothers go to battle without me. So it’s definitely frustrating. It’s going to be a learning experience for me.”

  50. TY, on September 24th, 2012 at 8:27 pm Said:

    Dominique Wilkins in 1992 NBA season.

  51. TY, on September 24th, 2012 at 8:31 pm Said:

    He was 32 when it happened.He played in 2 all-star games and 7 more seasons til age 39.

  52. crutchesintx, on September 24th, 2012 at 11:58 pm Said:

    PGA Tour pro Anthony Kim ruptured his Achilles in June while running sprints during conditioning.

  53. davewaterloo, on February 23rd, 2013 at 1:55 pm Said:

    Kind a freak accident* where arguably the best defense man in the NHL Erik Karlsson get’s his Achilles cut by the skate of Matt Cooke. you can get a good look at on this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrBsbD0Oqp4
    super slow-mo at ~7:40
    You could bet that every NHL player woke up to a pair of Kevlar socks the next day.
    *there is debate whether it was an accident

  54. kingb, on April 20th, 2013 at 9:50 pm Said:

    I’m 8 days postop. Injury occured on 4-7-13 playing indoor soccer. The pain from the surgery hasn’t been too bad. I have more discomfort from the cast. I see my doc on 4-24 and hoping the next cast is better.

  55. ekiaer, on April 20th, 2013 at 11:54 pm Said:

    We need to add Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers to the list. He tore his achilles playing against the Golden State Warriors on April 12, and had surgery April 13.

  56. dj22, on April 21st, 2013 at 11:52 am Said:

    I tore my left one the same day that Kobe did, about 10 hours before him. I also was playing basketball, although my injury was only in front of about 20 people at the YMCA, I think there was a few more watching him:)

  57. nmjr, on April 21st, 2013 at 9:29 pm Said:

    Hi everyone, I’m 34 years young, and I tore my left one playing indoor soccer and had surgery 9 days ago. I was wondering if there are people /athletes on here who returned to sports/soccer after recovery. I’m driven and possessed to attack this rehab as aggressively as I can as long as it doesn’t affect the healing of the tendon. Please post any success stories of returning back to competitive sports and how long it took.

    Thanks and good luck everyone.

  58. ryanb, on April 22nd, 2013 at 12:14 am Said:

    nmjr: It’s not soccer, but I would call my story a success. You can read all about it at achillesblog.com/ryanb

  59. nmjr, on April 22nd, 2013 at 11:39 pm Said:

    hey ryanb … thanks… you rock man!

  60. joinaine, on October 1st, 2013 at 8:42 am Said:

    New England Patriots lineman Vince Wilfork had a full rupture two days ago — September 29, 2013. Out for the season.

  61. mhamay, on November 1st, 2013 at 2:01 pm Said:

    Add Detroit Lions WR Ryan Broyles to the list. ATR on Sunday during the Lions win over the Cowboys.

  62. texasflyer, on April 11th, 2014 at 3:35 pm Said:

    Christian Benteke, a Premier League soccer (football) player in England, tore his Achilles recently. He’s a dynamic player for Aston Villa, though still young. It also looks like he will miss the World Cup this summer for his country, Belgium, which is very unfortunate. They should have a good team.

  63. mags11, on August 7th, 2014 at 1:30 am Said:

    Anthony McCoy Seahawks tight end:

    2013 training camp tears the right Achilles. 2014 training camp tears the left one.

    My worst nightmare…tearing the other one right after my injured one is healed…

  64. normofthenorth, on August 7th, 2014 at 3:00 am Said:

    I did it 8 years later. We’ve had a number of others who’ve done it too, usually years later. Longest gap maybe 11 or maybe 15 years. A few people have done what I did, too, switched from surgical to non-op for the second one. Usually a faster recovery, way less pain, and no time off work with a desk job. . . It’s not exactly “good news”, but it’s not the end of the world, either, and a bunch of us went back to our high-impact sports the SECOND time, too! :-)

  65. tinaallen, on February 23rd, 2017 at 3:24 am Said:

    back in 2014, Christian Benteke, a very famous Premier League soccer player in England, injured his Achilles. i saw it in the live match. he was in much pain.
    Saleonleather

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