18
Nov
2010
25 years ago today: Lawrence Taylor ends Joe Theismann’s career (VIDEO)
By ArtieFufkin
Do you remember where you were when this happened?
Today marks the 25th anniversary of perhaps the most gruesome moment in NFL history. On November 18, 1985, Redskins QB Joe Theismann dropped back to pass against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football … it would turn out to be the last snap he would ever take at quarterback.
As we all know by now, the play was a flea flicker, with John Riggins pitching the ball back to his QB. The Giants pass rush closed quickly, and LB Lawrence Taylor leaped at Theismann, with the full force of his body weight landing on the quarterback’s right leg. It was a clean hit, but there was a loud POP on the field (described by some as a “shotgun blast”), and Theismann’s leg had been nearly destroyed. He had a shattered fibula and a compound fracture of the tibia with one end protruding from his skin. It was one of those moments you couldn’t stand to look at, but just couldn’t turn away … and I bet most of us remember where we were when it happened. (I was in the 6th grade, doing homework while watching the game with the sound down. I didn’t need to hear it to know how bad it was)
Watch the grainy VHS tape of the incident after the jump
(WARNING – GRAPHIC)
I was in College when this happened. I remember it vividly. The sad part was, even though I knew Theismann’s career was over, and the hit was brutal (legal, but brutal) the next morning, all I kept thinking (as a Giants ffan) was “How in the hell did we lose that game!?”
Doug, me too … it was Jay effing Schroeder. Came in and shredded the Giants D, who probably lost a bit of their edge after that injury.
Best piece of trivia about this hit. The story goes that as they were carting Theismann off the field he said, “I’ll be back!” Taylor immediately replied, “Not tonight.”
I know it’s sick but that cracks me up every time.
[...] 25 years ago today: Lawrence Taylor ends Joe Theismann's career … Today marks the 25th anniversary of perhaps the most gruesome moment in NFL history. On November 18, 1985, Redskins QB Joe Theismann dropped back to pass. Related Topics Posted in Peopleinthenews, credit | Tags: Border Width, Ccc, Child Support Payments, Color Silver, Court Case, Courtrooms, credit, Font Size, Giants, Gridiron, Hall Of Fame, Lawrence Taylor, michael strahan, Peopleinthenews, Related Articles, Sans Serif, Serif Font, Snippets, Text Decoration, Title Font, Young Person [...]
I was 18. I was wastching the game. I’ve been a Redskins fan since I was 5. I cried when they showed the reverse angle. My qb would not be back to play again:(