The Worst Career Ending Sports Injuries

Published on 02/13/2017
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Bubba Smith – Baltimore Colts

Man, Bubba Smith was a force to be reckoned with out on the field. Before his NFL gig, he was a shining star during his college career. In fact in 1988, he was even enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame and Michigan State retired his number 95 jersey. In the NFL, Smith spent nine seasons as a defensive end for the Baltimore Colts, the Oakland Raider and the Houston Oilers. Smith was a Super Bowl champion (V) and a 2× Pro Bowl (1970, 1971) but then during the 1972 preseason, he ran into a solid steel pole that the NFL used back then to mark yardage. He would miss the rest of the season and retire shortly after. After retirement, he became an actor, most recognized as Hightower from the Police Academy movie series.

Bubba Smith Baltimore Colts

Bubba Smith – Baltimore Colts

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Cam Neely – Boston Bruins

“Bam-Bam Cam” was known in the NHL world to be devastating with his body checks and fists almost as much as his goal scoring exploits. The Hall of Famer was injured in the knee by Ulf Samuelsson in game three on May 3, 1991, then again to the knee on game six. Combining both hits, Neely developed myositis ossificans (a small but painful growth of bone within the muscle) in the injured area. While the injury sidelined him for all but 22 games of the next two seasons, he would play 162 more NHL games but not long after, he officially retired due to reoccurring knee troubles.

Cam Neely Boston Bruins

Cam Neely – Boston Bruins

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