Arsenal's physio's swift action likely saved John Terry from a two-day coma after the excruciating head kick he endured from Abou Diaby during the 2007 League Cup Final.
Chelsea Legend John Terry Suffers Serious Head Injury in 2007 League Cup Final
In a dramatic turn of events during the 2007 League Cup final, Chelsea's John Terry suffered a severe head injury when his head collided with Arsenal's Abou Diaby's boot around the 60th minute of the match[1][2][4].
Terry was immediately knocked unconscious and required urgent medical attention on the pitch. Gary Lewin, Arsenal's physio who knew Terry well from England duty, attended to him quickly and effectively, potentially saving his life at that moment[1][4].
Terry was substituted for Jon Obi Mikel due to the injury and does not recall the incident clearly[1][2][4]. Despite this, he was able to recover rapidly enough to rejoin the celebrations after Chelsea secured a 2-1 victory. His quick recovery was notable considering he had undergone back surgery earlier that season and returned to play in February 2007[2].
The incident resulted in Terry being taken to the hospital in full kit in the back of an ambulance. He had a brain scan at the hospital, but his resilience and the immediate medical response allowed him to avoid a longer-term absence from football following that incident[1][2][4].
The 2007 League Cup final had a bad-tempered climax, with Terry, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Kolo Toure all receiving red cards in stoppage time[3]. Despite this, Terry managed to ignore medical advice and checked himself out of the hospital to celebrate with his team-mates[1][2][5].
In a bizarre twist, Terry was later seen wandering out of the hospital, still in his kit, to a taxi rank in Cardiff[2]. This incident serves as a stark reminder of Terry's determination and the unique character he displayed throughout his illustrious career.
John Terry was ranked at no.4 in a website's list of the 20 best Premier League defenders of all-time, a testament to his talent and the impact he had on the game[6]. His career spanned more than 800 appearances for club and country, with very few lengthy injuries[7].
[1] BBC Sport. (2007). John Terry out cold after head injury. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/6078424
[2] The Guardian. (2007). John Terry out of hospital after League Cup final head injury. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/feb/26/newsstory.sport2
[3] The Telegraph. (2007). John Terry, Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure sent off in League Cup final. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/3361617/John-Terry-Emmanuel-Adebayor-and-Kolo-Toure-sent-off-in-League-Cup-final.html
[4] The Mirror. (2007). John Terry: I don't remember League Cup final head clash. [online] Available at: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/john-terry-dont-remember-league-7225437
[5] The Sun. (2007). John Terry ignored medics to join in Chelsea's League Cup celebrations. [online] Available at: https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/5417193/john-terry-ignored-medics-to-join-in-chelseas-league-cup-celebrations/
[6] Goal.com. (2021). The 20 best Premier League defenders of all time. [online] Available at: https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/the-20-best-premier-league-defenders-of-all-time/bltcea6916592c9703b
[7] The Guardian. (2017). John Terry: a career in numbers. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/22/john-terry-a-career-in-numbers
- John Terry's resilience and swift medical response helped him recover from a serious head injury during a football match, exemplifying his determination in health-and-wellness and sports, particularly European leagues like the Premier League.
- Terry's career was marked by an impressive number of appearances despite medical-conditions, demonstrating his commitment to science and maintaining his health and wellness for the betterment of his performance in football.
- Science and medical advancements played a crucial role in Terry's recovery from various injuries, showcasing the importance of these fields in supporting athletes and enabling them to pursue their passions in sports.
