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| Stanford's Andy Brown is calling it quits after a fourth ACL tear. (bigstory.ap.com) |
Some have the drive and work ethic, but lack the natural athleticism or skill. Some have the skill but don't care enough to work. Others have what it takes to play college or professional sports, but their bodies let them down.
The latter was the case for Stanford basketball player Andy Brown, whose career from basketball is coming to an end after tearing his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) for the fourth time in four years. The first three tears happened in his left knee, but this time it was his right. This injury came after he was able to finish a full season without injury last year for the first time in his college career.
"Everyone associated with our program is saddened by Andy's latest injury," Stanford coach Johnny Dawkins said in a statement. "Nobody has worked harder to get back into playing shape, having already experienced three tears and waiting two full years before putting on a uniform. What makes this even more disappointing is Andy had already passed the initial test of getting back on the court."
Brown's first ACL tear came in high school, but he was still able to head off to Stanford healthy and begin practices. That is until, on literally the first day of practice, it happened again. The third time took place in August of the next year, and two years into college came and went without him seeing the floor. Three ACL tears from January 2009 to August 2010. The fact that he even played last year, averaging 6.2 points per game, is impressive.
But now that dream is over because he was cursed with poor knees. Many former players can relate. Brown already has his undergraduate degree and is working on his master's. Basketball wasn't meant to be in his future, even just for college, so now he will find his career and other passions, hopefully ones that are a little less stressful on his knees.
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