Career Altering Injuries

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Daniel "Boobie" Gibson - At the end of last year's regular season, Daniel "Boobie" Gibson sustained a tendon tear in his left ankle and foot. Beside the fact that an injury that severe could have ended his career, Daniel was concerned about his family and how he'd be able to provide for them. See how Keyshia and Daniel deal with his injury and its implications on Keyshia & Daniel: Family First tonight at 10P/9C! (Photo: Chris Chambers/Getty Images)

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Daniel "Boobie" Gibson - At the end of last year's regular season, Daniel "Boobie" Gibson sustained a tendon tear in his left ankle and foot. Beside the fact that an injury that severe could have ended his career, Daniel was concerned about his family and how he'd be able to provide for them. See how Keyshia and Daniel deal with his injury and its implications on Keyshia & Daniel: Family First tonight at 10P/9C! (Photo: Chris Chambers/Getty Images)

Daunte Culpepper - The knees are one of the keys to a successful career in football, so a professional player injuring this particular body part is often career altering or career ending. In 2001, Daunte Culpepper learned this lesson and, although he went on to play for a few more seasons after recovering, he was never the same. (Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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Daunte Culpepper - The knees are one of the keys to a successful career in football, so a professional player injuring this particular body part is often career altering or career ending. In 2001, Daunte Culpepper learned this lesson and, although he went on to play for a few more seasons after recovering, he was never the same. (Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Alvin Williams - After a season-ending knee injury in 2004, Alvin Williams was placed on the injured list for the 2004-2005 season. Although he tried to make a comeback the following season, he ended up back on the injured list after just one game. However, Williams was named assistant coach by the Raptors and eventually took on the role of director of player development for the team.  (Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

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Alvin Williams - After a season-ending knee injury in 2004, Alvin Williams was placed on the injured list for the 2004-2005 season. Although he tried to make a comeback the following season, he ended up back on the injured list after just one game. However, Williams was named assistant coach by the Raptors and eventually took on the role of director of player development for the team.  (Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Sterling Sharpe - In 1994, Sterling Sharpe's career as a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers ended with a neck injury. He was never able to win a Super Bowl, but his brother gave Sterling the first of three Super Bowl rings that he won because of the influence that Sterling had on him. Talk about brotherly love!  (Photo: Jonathan Daniel/ALLSPORT)

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Sterling Sharpe - In 1994, Sterling Sharpe's career as a wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers ended with a neck injury. He was never able to win a Super Bowl, but his brother gave Sterling the first of three Super Bowl rings that he won because of the influence that Sterling had on him. Talk about brotherly love!  (Photo: Jonathan Daniel/ALLSPORT)

Michael Irvin - Legendary Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin had quite the dramatic exit when his career was ended by a spinal cord injury. The injury happened during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles on their home turf. While being carted off the field, Irvin was met with cheers from Eagles fans because he had been going to work on their team for a decade. Irvin got the last laugh, though, since he's worked as a commentator and actor since his NFL career ended. (Photo: Mike Powell  /Allsport)

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Michael Irvin - Legendary Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin had quite the dramatic exit when his career was ended by a spinal cord injury. The injury happened during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles on their home turf. While being carted off the field, Irvin was met with cheers from Eagles fans because he had been going to work on their team for a decade. Irvin got the last laugh, though, since he's worked as a commentator and actor since his NFL career ended. (Photo: Mike Powell  /Allsport)

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Kirby Puckett - Having spent his entire professional career with the Minnesota Twins, Puckett also managed to achieve 1,000 hits during his first five years with the team — a record achieved by only three other players. Sadly, Puckett passed away in 2006 due to a massive stroke. (Photo: Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

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Kirby Puckett - Kirby Puckett's baseball career came to an end less because of an injury and more because of an unexpected condition that left the center fielder blind. One morning Puckett woke up without vision in his right eye. After being diagnosed with glaucoma and undergoing three surgeries, he retired at 35 because his vision wasn't fully restored. In 2006, Puckett died after having a massive stroke just a few days before his 46th birthday.  (Photo: Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Kevin Everett - Early in his career with the Buffalo Bills, Kevin Everett sustained a severe spinal cord injury that left doctors thinking he would never walk again. Through willpower and a miracle, Everett is now walking on his own. His determination has inspired people everywhere, even earning him an ESPY! (Photo: Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)

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Kevin Everett - Early in his career with the Buffalo Bills, Kevin Everett sustained a severe spinal cord injury that left doctors thinking he would never walk again. Through willpower and a miracle, Everett is now walking on his own. His determination has inspired people everywhere, even earning him an ESPY! (Photo: Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)

Mack Strong - After 15 successful seasons as a NFL player, Mack Strong announced his retirement after a neck injury that would ultimately become an issue if he continued to play. He went on to help coach running backs for the Seahawks and eventually transitioned into a role as a NFL broadcaster.  (Photo: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

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Mack Strong - After 15 successful seasons as a NFL player, Mack Strong announced his retirement after a neck injury that would ultimately become an issue if he continued to play. He went on to help coach running backs for the Seahawks and eventually transitioned into a role as a NFL broadcaster.  (Photo: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Reggie Bush - Before he settled in nicely with the Miami Dolphins, it seemed as though Reggie Bush couldn't catch a break on the field. Knee injuries and broken legs plagued the star running back. Fortunately, Bush has been able to recover from everything and come back stronger on the field. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

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Reggie Bush - Before he settled in nicely with the Miami Dolphins, it seemed as though Reggie Bush couldn't catch a break on the field. Knee injuries and broken legs plagued the star running back. Fortunately, Bush has been able to recover from everything and come back stronger on the field. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Derek Jeter - Derek Jeter is the posterboy for the New York Yankees and will definitely be a baseball hall of famer. Last year the Yankee hit his 3000th hit and ended his season on a high note, but this year, he wasn't so lucky. The Yankee suffered a devastating season-ending ankle injury against the Detroit Lions a few weeks ago. The injury probably won't send him into early retirement, but it is a hurdle that the short stop will have to jump over. (Photo: Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)

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Derek Jeter - Derek Jeter is the posterboy for the New York Yankees and will definitely be a baseball hall of famer. Last year the Yankee hit his 3000th hit and ended his season on a high note, but this year, he wasn't so lucky. The Yankee suffered a devastating season-ending ankle injury against the Detroit Lions a few weeks ago. The injury probably won't send him into early retirement, but it is a hurdle that the short stop will have to jump over. (Photo: Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)