Getty ImagesFormer NFL player Gary Baxter has a message for Vikings rookie wide receiver Greg Childs: I know how you’re feeling.
Childs is done for the season (at least) after tearing the patellar tendons in both knees on Saturday, and Baxter, a former Browns cornerback who tore both patellar tendons in 2006, would like to offer Childs some encouragement. Although Baxter never played in a game again after suffering the injury, he did recover well enough that he was able to spend some time in the Browns’ training camp a year after the injury.
“It’s not something that can’t be overcome,” Baxter told the Pioneer Press. “I was told I’d never walk again, and I saw the field again. I was determined to prove [doctors] wrong on multiple levels. He’s going to have to really bust it in rehab. And he’s going to have to have nothing but positivity around him, a positive spirit and the right attitude. It sounds like he’s a strong guy and wants to do those things.”
When he suffered the double patellar tear, Childs joined an unfortunate fraternity that includes not only Baxter but also former Bears receiver Wendell Davis, who tore both patellar tendons in an ugly injury on the Astroturf at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia in 1993. Baxter said Davis encouraged him, and he’d like to pay it forward by encouraging Childs.
“Wendell Davis visited me in the hospital, and I’m going to do the same for Greg,” Baxter said. “I want to offer him encouragement, because there aren’t too many people who understand what he’s going through.”
Baxter said Childs is in for “extreme, extreme, extreme pain,” but that with hard work in rehab, he can play again. That would be a major accomplishment for Childs, and Baxter hopes he can help.
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I hope he at least gets to try again after he heals I feel bad for the guy his dreams as a child just came true and in a accident tore away from him it’s sad to see that happen to some one that wasnt even able to play in one game
Baxter’s comments are nice and encouraging and all that, but really, how can anyone take Baxter seriously when he states that a doctor told him he’d never walk again? I can’t imagine any doctor other than Seuss going that negative on an initial diagnosis.
Hopefully Mr. Childs has his B.A. or B.S. because it looks like his career in the NFL is over.
Childs needs to move into Adrian Petersons mansion and follow his trainers…for the next year.
Here in Chicago, they would recommend prolotherapy. Increases the strength of tendons about 40%.
Imagine how the people around him feel: his fam, friends, and believers. To see your knees taken out like that is extremely awful. This is one guy that everyone wants to see make a successful comeback!! Get better!!
Classy dude that Mr Baxter is!!!!! Childs would was a very good WR at Arkansas. Shame this happened.
I want to build on what larrybrown 43 says:
Mr. Baxter deserves a lot of credit and recognition for the class and leadership he demonstrates. Tough injury, tough break but so is life. Work through the rehab and pray for the best. In the meantime, latch on to leadership like Mr. Baxter so that you can navigate through this tough deal.
Best of luck to Childs and Baxter. Even if football does not work out a good lesson on life.
Praises to Mr. Baxter for the leadership