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Kevin Ware - In the sports world, the old adage "no pain, no gain" doesn't come without consequences. Keep reading for a look back at some of the nastiest injuries to make headlines in recent years. — Britt Middleton It was a savage break for University of Louisville guard Kevin Ware, who said he "saw the bone sticking out" from his leg during the Cardinals' Elite Eight match against Duke on Sunday. Ware suffered a broken tibia and is on the mend after having a metal rod surgically implanted in his leg late Sunday night. (Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

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Robert Griffin III - After taking several hits in his opening season with the Washington Redskins, Robert Griffin III's right knee finally gave out in a playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks last season, twisting his knee behind him in the fourth quarter. The quarterback has been recovering from a torn ACL, lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and meniscus and told reporters he is healing ahead of schedule. (Photo: Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

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Derrick Rose - Last April, game one of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs came to a painful end for Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose. The star guard savagely tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee in that game against the Philadelphia 76ers, and fans are still anticipating his return to the court. (Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

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Derrick Roland - Texas A&M University guard Derrick Roland gruesomely broke his right leg in two places during a 2009 match against the University of Washington. Roland had a metal rod implanted to repair the broken tibia and fibula, but the horrific image of his disjointed leg is hard to shake off. (Photo: George Holland/CSM /Landov)

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E.J. Henderson - In 2009, Minnesota Vikings linebacker E.J. Henderson's season ended with a broken thigh bone after running into the helmet of an Arizona Cardinals player. As he was being carted off the field, Henderson was memorably accompanied by his younger brother Erin and was held overnight for surgery. He made a full recovery in 2010. (Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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Terrell Davis - Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis was knocked out of play just four games into the 1999 NFL season after suffering a torn ACL and medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee in a game against the New York Jets. The two-time Super Bowl champion's knee troubles continued, eventually leading to him needing arthroscopic surgery on both his knees in 2001. Davis retired in the 2002 pre-season. (Photo: Brian Bahr/Staff/Getty Images)

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Willis McGahee - University of Miami star Willis McGahee's left knee was bent backward during the 2003 Fiesta Bowl match against Ohio State, resulting in a torn ACL, MCL and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The star running back was able to recover in time for the 2003 NFL Draft, where he was picked up by the Buffalo Bills. (Photo: Jeff Topping /Landov/REUTERS)

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Tyrone Prothro - In 2005 Tyrone Prothro's junior season with the University of Alabama came to a heartbreaking and painful end when the star wide receiver snapped both his tibia and fibula in his left leg. The injury was so debilitating that he never returned to football. (Photo: Allen Kee/WireImage)

Photo By Photo: Allen Kee/WireImage

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Evander Holyfield  - Best known as the fight (and bite) seen around the world, the infamous rematch bout between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield in 1997 was made more gruesome when Tyson bit off a chunk of Holyfield's ear. Boxing officials suspended Tyson's license and fined him $3 million for his savage conduct. (Photo: Steve Marcus /Landov/REUTERS)

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Terrell Middlebrooks  - A video of BMX rider Terrell Middlebrooks savagely breaking his left leg has become a cautionary tale for thrill seekers around the world. After overextending on a jump, he loses his bike, leaving nothing between his leg and the solid concrete below. (Photo: courtesy ebaums world)

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Llewellyn Starks - Before thousands of spectators, Llewellyn Starks tragically snapped his right leg during the long jump competition of the 1992 New York Games. (Photo by: Tim DeFrisco/Getty Images)