Ligament tears and knee surgeries are never fun and never good for an NFL career; however over the past 15 years the orthopedic procedures have gotten down right amazing.
The rehab is light years better, the time down is shorter and the rebuilding of one’s strength can be obtained with hard work. But multi-knee surgeries for a skill player means instant death. No one comes back from 3 ACL tears in 4 years.
Former New York Giants wide receiver and return man, Domenik Hixon has torn his ACL for a third time in 5 years during the Chicago Bears OTA’s just before Memorial Day. He promptly called it quits ending his eight year career.
Hixon was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 2006 in the 4th round. He was released in October 2007 after the return specialist was involved with one of the most scariest plays in NFL history. During the first game of the season against the Buffalo Bills, tight end Kevin Everett suffered a serious spinal cord injury while tackling Hixon.
The Giants scooped up the 6’2″ special teams star an inserted him immediately into the return game. Hixon solidified the signing in one of the biggest games of the 2007 season as he slashed his way to a 74 yard kick return for a TD against Tom Brady and New England Patriots.
The Giants would go onto loose the season finally, but it set the stage for Super Bowl XLII. In 2008 Hixon filled in for Plaxico Burress during his suspension and of course when he shot himself.. Time line:
- In June of 2010, Domenik Hixon torn his ACL during practice at the Giants new training facility.
- In September of 2011, Domenik Hixon tore his ACL a second time while making a spectacular TD catch.
- In 2013 the Carolina Panthers signed Hixon to a one year deal.
- In March of 2014, Domenik Hixon signed with the Chicago Bears.
- On May 27, 2014, during the OTA’s Domenik Hixon suffered a torn ACL for the third and final time in his career.
He announced his retirement later that day. Good luck Domenik on the next phase of your career.
Giants Stats:
Receiving: 109 attempts| 1460 yards | 7 TDS
Kick returns: 68 attempts| 1693 yards | 1 TD
Punts: 49 attempts|565 yards | 1 TD
Craig J. Santucci | Managing Editor
@CraigSantucci