Photo by ISIphotos.com
Charlie Davies is lucky to be alive, and the long list of injuries he suffered in a deadly car accident on late Monday evening provides the evidence.
Davies underwent five hours of surgery on Tuesday to repair the following: a lacerated bladder, fractures to the tibia and femur in his right leg, facial fractures and a left elbow fracture.
Davies had titanium rods in his tibia and femur with no complications. He will be hospitalized at least a week, with more surgeries to follow in order to stabilize his left elbow fracture and possibly his facial fractures.
“Injuries of this nature usually require a recovery period of six to 12 months and extensive rehabilitation,” said U.S. Soccer physician Dr. Dan Kalbac, who is with the team in D.C. and collaborated with the treating doctors. “Due to Charlie’s fitness level, his prognosis for recovery and his ability to resume high-level competition is substantially improved.”
The news is devastating for Davies' playing career, but the severity and number of injuries shows just how lucky Davies was to be alive after surviving a car crash that killed another passenger.
As far as I can tell no one that wasn’t in the car has any idea what they were doing driving on that highway at the time they were. So anyone even speculating about it needs to shut the f up. Or, at the very least, recognize the fact that if you are going to portray the simple fact that he was in a car after 3am it could have been for a perfectly normal reason. This is too serious a situation for some butthole to start immediately criticizing Charlie based on their own imagination.
Also we need to stop mentioning the world cup. After the estimated 12 month recovery time (newsflash, the world cup is less than 12 months away), there is PHYSICAL REHAB. How anyone is even mentioning the world cup boggles my mind, it’s almost cruel to bring it up.
Get well soon Charlie.
Questions of life or death overshadow other concerns but as fans we have every right to be a bit angry that one of our star players was out at 3.15 AM after a night out on the town 48 hours before match-day. I’m sure when Charlie is able to think back on it, he’ll be just as disappointed in himself for a decision that may cost him his promising career.
Never forget that these guys are heroes who get to live out our dreams, so its only human to be disappointed when they let us down. They stop being an anonymous individuals whose choices have no wider consequence beyond their direct impact when they put on the jersey to represent all of us. But they’re only human and not perfect. No question the tabloids would have a field day with this in Europe – like they did this week with the photos of Ronaldinho out late partying before a match.
Charlie is obviously lucky to be alive and who knows the future but the possibility that his shot at reaching the top may have gone is very real.
I would be concerned that Sochaux FC may pull a Mutu on Mr Davies. Ie sochaux might sue davies for the value of his transfer and lost income. While Mutu lost his 23 milliion$ lawsuit with Abrahamovich, Davies might be on the hook for a few million only.
Charlie had permission to be out because he wasn’t going to play today according to the latest i have read.
I hope he recovers 100%. But Charlie could end up like Fred Adu and Damarcus Beasley: more wasted precious US soccer investment. Money, time, coaching, playing experience, experience; all of which could have been invested in a more sober-minded person. A tragedy? Yes- both for Mr Davies and the development of US soccer.
My prayers are with him, but what is he doing out at 3:15 in the morning the night before a game? My mom always said nothing good happens after midnight.
I’m inconsolable.
Seize the day…because you never know what will happen next.
This is a devastating injury, but at the end of the day, he’s fortunate to be alive, and that’s what matters the most. My thoughts are with him and his family.
This is terrible news, but obviously we’re all happy Charlie is alright and breathing. He is from my hometown in Manchester, NH, and everyone who knows him talks about how humble and nice of a guy he is. Our prayers go out to him, and we hope that he can eventually recover to play the game he loves again.
got my #9 printed off. im really pumped for the game tonight.
RK – best way to solve that? cheer from the 8th-10th. haha
CD9!
RK – Yeah, I know. So do we stand and cheer when the clock 8:xx (9th minute) or when the clock says 9:xx (10th minute but the 9 is on the board)?
I say…both. Especially when we score.
I hope people know that the 9th minute starts at 8 minutes.
terrible news, I feel like it was a friend involved in a serioous accident, even though I don’t know him…..following his twitter has contributed to my feeling this way….according to the French paper L’equipe, it seems that charlie had permission to be out until midnight because he was not going to play tonight….
From Grant Wahl Twitter:
US fans planning salute to No. 9 Charlie Davies RT @shinguardian If attending US-CR stand-up & cheer for ENTIRE 9th min http://j.mp/CDNine
Much better than smoke bombs.
Get Well Charlie. Maybe, someday, we’ll see you on the pitch again.
Do It for Number Nine.
Man that’s quite a list…he’s lucky to be alive but that’s going to be a painful recovery. Best luck Chuck.
Jozy is really going to have to step up these next 8 months or so. Good thing the doctors were able to work on him quick.
Charlie will be fine once he recovers(physically, that is). He suffered broken bones, which often heal stronger. Because it is broken bones and not ligament damage to his knees and ankles, we can expect him to have the same pace he once had (once he’s fully fit of course).
Get well soon Charlie, and my condolences to the families of Charlie and the other people in the car as well.
Terrible news, but keep your head up Charlie. I’m sure you’ll be back.
I’m trying to be half glass full, I mean he tore his acl or mcl a few years back and made strides to be what he is today.
Anything is possible.
My prayers are with you Charlie, and with all the families touched by this accident.
Get well soon Charlie!
Hopefully we’ll score tonight and whoever does will do the stanky leg or hold up nine fingers or honor Davies in some other clever way.
I cant imagine what is going through his head right now… Keep your spirits up Chuck
I think this was previously mentioned, but I try to keep this in mind considering the similar age….
At Liverpool, Cissé scored 11 goals in 23 first-team games in all competitions for Liverpool in the 2004–05 season.[15] He had only played 19 games for Liverpool when a tackle from Jay McEveley broke his left leg playing against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on 30 October 2004. The injury he suffered from the tackle broke his tibia and fibula, physio Daryl Martin said “It could take six to nine months and the absolute worst-case scenario is 18 months, but on average it would be three or four months.”[21] Cissé later revealed that had it not been for prompt attention from the trainers at the stadium, he would probably have lost the leg below the knee.[22] He had pins inserted in the leg, and was expected to be out of action for the rest of the 2004–05 season.[23] However, it was reported in late March 2005 that Cissé’s recovery had advanced enough to enable him to return to action by the end of the season.[24]
This indeed happened on 13 April 2005 when Cissé came on as a substitute in the 75th minute of the second leg of Liverpool’s Champions League quarter-final tie with Juventus.[25] He went on to score both Liverpool goals in their last Premiership match of the season, a 2–1 win over Aston Villa,[26] and also converted a penalty in Liverpool’s penalty shootout win over AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final.[27] During the 2005–06 season, Liverpool manager Rafael BenÃtez deployed Cissé on the right wing on numerous occasions.[19] While his pace made him well suited to such a role, it was questioned whether he would be happy continuing to be used in this way rather than in his preferred position as striker.[12] He scored two goals as Liverpool won the 2005 UEFA Super Cup. Cissé also scored the opening Liverpool goal in that season’s FA Cup final with a sliding shot past West Ham United keeper Shaka Hislop. Liverpool eventually went on to win the FA Cup on penalties.
Sounds like he’s going to be OK and will recover which is great news. It’ll be a long way back to full health, and at that time, I sincerely hope that he’ll be able to resume his career and get back to playing at the highest level.
Definitely would be a great scene to see him do the stanky leg again in a US jersey.
Sad news…
Thoughts and prayers to all impacted by this horrific accident….
It is too bad that Charlie was out past curfew…
Godspeed on a healthy recovery.
He is simply lucky to be alive, I don’t think there is any chance he will be available to play in the World Cup next summer, I just hope he is able to play again period.
I posted this yesterday, but felt it might shed light on some recovery similarities:
FWIW, when I was 24 (now 37) I broke my femur (among other things) in an auto accident. It was broken into four pieces and they placed a rod and four screws into my leg permanently. I was very lucky that my femoral artery was not hit.
Just being an average guy (I had run a 40 minute 10K a week before) I was four months on crutches, but coaching soccer with minimal running a year later. Since then I have run 10 marathons in the low three hour range including two five days apart once. I lost some speed, but the only measurable thing I lost was range of motion. My right heel will never bend back to touch my leg/butt again. I am sure that Charlie will have access to better PT than I did, but it will be a lot of work.
Not trying to talk about myself and I have no idea about his injuries, but just felt I would share as I don’t know anybody else who has broken a femur.
Also, as I recall more this morning. The doctors said I was very lucky not to have broken my pelvis as that would have changed everything (as somebody noted above).
I also lost a lot of muscle and gained a lot of scar tissue. My right leg looks significantly smaller than my left even to this day, but I am sure that has to do with the specific injury (compound fracture) I had and differing PT. I think the scar tissue might be what hinders my range of motion.
As far as recovery goes, it was about four months on crutches. They had me walking on modified crutches (broken wrist as well) after a few days. There was a time I could not even contemplate putting weight on my right leg. Early PT consisted of clenching butt cheeks and just lifting my leg in a seated position… that is how much atrophy/weakness might come into play. I did have a therapist bending my leg within a few weeks. I advanced to stepping up onto a curb after a while and spent a lot of time in a CPM to bend my leg. I am not sure when the bone healed, but it too a long time… longer than four months.
I was relatively inactive for a few years by choice. I had a fear of contact for my leg, but one day played soccer in Boston Common, took a hit, and was back to normal. That is to say that there will probably be some significant mental/psyche issues that Charlie will have to overcome.
I wish him the best and a speedy recovery. Have faith in your doctors and don’t give up.
Seriously, I could not sleep at all thinking about Charlie! So sad, but I bet he can make a speedy recovery and back even better for WC 2014!! In the meantime, a call out to Dempsey:Please direct your emotions and energy back to the Nats, you can fill in at striker, and “win one for Charlie”! I have little doubt that an inform altidore and head strong Dempsey can carry this front line, and each and every goal they score, lets dedicate it to number 9!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The more I think about this whole deal…the more I’m reminded of former Duke and Chicago Bull Jay Williams.
Posted by: kebzach | October 14, 2009 at 01:07 AM
Exactly only I think he broke his pelvis too. even if he makes a full recovery i will be almost impossible that he doesnt lose a step and speed was his game.
They are suspicously quiet about the drver….if i were a bettor……
Another lesson to all the kids out there: Don’t be an asinine know-it-all, saying such things about the unknown and unknowable future of another person — don’t do it in the real world, and don’t do it on the internet. You’ll be seen as a total ass/complete jerk, wherever you post such crapola.
Posted by: fischy | October 13, 2009 at 11:06 PM
ASININE i know he broke team rules and team curfew.
Get well Charlie, no one thought Eduardo would make the recovery he did, you can do it too!
Anyone have insight into how the Sochaux supporters are taking this?
Man, I literally feel like crying. Charlie please get well soon. #9 we need you!!!
Get well soon, Charlie. You have the support of an entire nation behind you. Let’s win one for CD9 tonight in D.C.!
Why he was on the road at that hour? No one on the staff to provide some modicum of discipline? A fantastic future may have disappeared. We wish him well from Italy. RB
well i hope he recovers like you then TD. i’m only a first med student but the tibia is the biggest bone in the leg region and the femurs the biggest bone in the thigh region. the thing i’d be worried about is all the muscles that attach to the femur (and to a lesser extent the tibia but there are a lot that start on the tibia and end on the foot – tibialis anterior, flexor digitorum longus, flexur hallicus longus and more on the posterior side) but it depends where it broke and how the doctors reattached them if they needed to. the stuff I’d be most worried about are the nerves that run in the thigh and continue in the leg/foot (sciatic, obuturator, femoral). Damn I can’t even sleep I hope he had some good surgeons. One Love #9
get well soon charlie, were all thinking of you
Gabe, what a great idea….
He mostly broke bones– things that heal better than most other parts of the body. So, I’m not ready to write the guy’s career off. I broke the tibia and cheek bones playing soccer. Neither had a significant impact on speed post recovery. I imagine the elbow would not impact speed post recovery. Maybe some medical expert could give an explanation of what they’ve seen in terms of recovery after a broken femur. I believe that is one of the biggest bones in the body, so it’s probably the most serious injury for him. Any orthopedic surgeons out there? Good luck Charlie and let’s hope you can continue making a living playing the game you love.
I wanted a USMNT jersey (especially after that great Honduras game) and I wasn’t sure which one to get. Now there’s not even a question. Here’s to our number 9 making a glorious return in the future. Its gonna be a long road back but from what I’ve heard about Charlie I have faith that he’ll persevere. This shook me up so I can only imagine how his family feels (and of the others involved). I wish I was going to the game tomorrow to pay tribute on national TV. God bless the dead and lets pray for the quick recovery of the living.
great idea Gabe. hope to see thousands of these on the TV coverage tomorrow.
Gabe, I was literally just thinking of the exact same thing. I’ll be bringing a bunch.
Do the Stanky Leg
Gabe. I like your idea. Wish I was going. Re-post your link around the various sites
Terrible situation. At least he is alive. I agree with R. Benjamin a couple posts above…the young guys did grow up today. Charlie will bounce back and the guys will bounce back.
Everyone going to the game, print out one of these: http://baltimorebrigade.tumblr.com/post/212570227/heres-my-idea-it-may-be-dumb-who-knows-im
Download link: http://freepdfhosting.com/f56b2e968d.pdf
Better yet, print out a bunch. Bring extras, pass them out to all the US fans. It’s easy, but would really look great.
Here’s to the speedy recovery to both.
So sad. Please heal, Charlie. Strength to all the families.
A new song that would be a great tribute to him tomorrow night…its to the tune of the torres and eduardo song
He came to us from New Hampshire, Charlie Charlie
Hell score more goals then Borgetti, Charlie Charlie
He broke his leg
but hell be back
and Borgetti will still be crap
Charlie Daives USA’s number 9
la da da da da……
What do you guys think?
Devastating.. like all you i feel gutted from this like i knew him.
Checking out their twitter pages daily to see what the ‘kids’ were up to, to laugh with them and imagine the insane fun and promise it would be. Everyone grew up today.
I wish Charlie the best and the family of the girl. He’s young and has time on his side. Good luck Charlie. Good luck.. We’ll be by your ‘side’ the whole way.