Kevin Ware Tweet: Thanks Fans for Support, Talks About Shock at Seeing His Injury (VIDEO)
Kevin Ware has sent a tweet to fans thanking them for all the support her has been receiving since suffering an horrific injury at the weekend in an NCAA 2013 March Madness Elite 8 game for Louisville.
Ware tweeted, "Again I'm thankful for all the support I'm receiving right now. Never thought I'd be the talk of the country."
In the incident, which was shown live on TV, Ware jumped up and across court to try and block a 3-point shot by Duke's Tyler Thornton, but when he landed he came down at an angle and the bottom half of his leg snapped in half.
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Players on the bench next to where he landed jumped back in horror covering their faces, and Louisville's on court players also fell to the ground covering their faces, shocked at the injury.
The game was halted momentarily as medics rushed to Ware's aid, as he laid court side in agony.
It was later revealed that Ware suffered a compound fracture, and it is not yet known how long he may be out of action for or whether the injury could have any long term effects on his career.
As Ware was carried off on a stretcher fans chanted his name, but on court some of his teammates were moved to tears, and it was even reported that some players vomited by the bench.
On Sunday evening, Ware underwent two hours of surgery in which a rod was inserted in his leg and the open wound was closed.
It has also since been revealed that after his leg snapped, Ware was actually concerned for his teammates rather than himself. As his teammates recoiled in horror - some in tears - Ware actually was exhorting them to concentrate and go on and win the game.
The player's father, Kevin Ware Sr., has since told reporters, "That probably was the moment that really broke me. Like, 'Wow, my kid is my hero'," according to The Washington Post.
Ware himself has since spoken to ESPN and described: "I jumped and my leg felt kind of funny. When Coach P tried to help me up, he gave me a funny kind of look. I'm looking at him and then I look down and I see my bone sticking out. It wasn't a hurt feeling. I just went into shock. In the moment, you don't know what's wrong with you. You're just looking, thinking, 'How did this happen?' I never watched the replay. I never want to."
Louisville players quickly had to regroup into a huddle and recapture their composure. They went on to clinch an NCAA 2013 Final Four spot, eventually beating Duke convincingly by 85-63.
The Final Four games in the March Madness tournament will take place this coming weekend.
Here is a video of Kevin Ware's leg injury, although viewers should be warned that the injury is quite gruesome:
