As you may know by now, I had the opportunity to interview U.S. national team striker Charlie Davies last Friday in his first detailed interview since the car accident that nearly took his life. What I found was a player in the midst of an amazing recovery, a Charlie Davies who looked much more like the Davies we knew before last October's deadly car cash than the Davies we saw look so swollen and unfamiliar in the interview he did with ESPN in late November.
Here is my ESPN.com story detailing his comeback as well as what he has gone through to come so far, so fast. If you are a U.S. national team fan, it is a must-read and is likely to leave you feeling much more confident about his chances of taking the field in South Africa this summer.
I am currently writing a post for SBI that will provide even more insight into his recovery, as well as details about his ordeal and the time since the accident that I wasn't able to work into the ESPN.com story. Look out for that later this afternoon.
For now, give the ESPN.com story a read and feel free to share your thoughts on it in the comments section below.
and thanks Ives for the amazing story. I fist pumped in front of my CEO after reading it to myself! awesome sccop.
I was diagnosed with leukemia when I was 15 years old. I went through 3 months of extensive chemo therapy and came back the following Sprin and just missed qualifying for the Texas State High School Track and Field Championships- jumping a full foot better than I was the previous year. There were other factors at work, but a big part of it was mental toughness. I remember telling myself that nothing was going to keep me off the Track and that I was going to be a better person for it. The human body when given a chance and the right surroundings is amazingly resilient. Charlie, your progress is an amazing testament to not only your physical and athletic gifts but to your personal spirit.
In short- keep up the hard work. We’re all behind you.
COME ON YOU YANKS!!!!!!
Thanks a whole bunch Ives.
(sarcasm) yup that was my first thought too. Who cares about sheer determination and his life changing event.
You’re an idiot. This guy seems to have found himself. Not just as a soccer player but as a human being. And yes I love these stories. Someone makes a horrible mistake, learns greatly from it, and becomes a much better person.
Don’t you think this guy will always remember this mistake every time he showers and sees 12 huge scars all over his body or even thinks of his lost friend.
I can’t believe it took so many posts before someone mentioned this. Great piece, but wow….that visual is a bit nauseating.
great work Ives, it is totally more than we could have reasonably hoped for
Agreed.
Charlie Davies must be Chuck Norris reincarnated. Great to hear, and amazing that he’s able to do what he’s doing.
At this rate I’d say CD9 has just as good of a chance to be in the XI as Jozy does…that’s as much of a testament to CD9’s incredible comeback as Jozy’s dire situation/form at Hull.
Great work Ives. You did a great job getting Charlie’s mentality in the article. There are so many stories about the fortunate and unfortunate, but you never can fully appreciate the emotion without experiencing it yourself. Optimism and appreciation can lead to wonderful things. I hope he uses what he’s learned off the field to make the world a better place – right after he drops some bizzies in South Africa! Let’s go Chuck D.
Wow! Davies is an impressive character. Thanks for the great article Ives.
137 really? That makes me even more optimistic considering its been like 90 days since the accident
I haven’t bought a new jersey in a while but I’ll definitely buy Charlie’s new one
great write up on ESPN Ives, great to read
Why isnt it front page? half the headlines are completely stupid like who Eli is going to root for and ice skaters parents
I knew it. I KNEW IT! There was no way Charlie would settle for a year-long recovery if he could help it. I’m so happy for him and I hope he can continue on this road. And now I’m tearing up at the office, Ives, thanks a lot.
Great piece Ives. I cringed a little bit at the whole face-peeling part, I must admit it.
Great article Ives. Thanks for your work!
Can’t wait to see the next “Stanky Leg”
I would have never expected this. I just hope Davies is in form in time for the WC. From what I’ve read Onyweu and Dempsey are progressing. Any updates on Jermaine Jones?
Wow this is absolutely amazing! Cannot wait til the new jersey’s come out so I can get that #9!!!
Do it, Charlie. We need you man.
Way to go Charlie! You could see the hunger and desire in the way he played. Now those same qualities appear to be serving him well during the recovery and rehab. Simply amazing.
Terrific news!!!
Incredible. The thing about Charlie is that he’ll never settle for what he has. He’s appreciative of what he has, and this accident can only had to that, but he always pushes himself, and others to get more. I know someone is going to laugh at me, but he, like he said, has the potential to be one of the world’s best forwards.
This is great news about Charlie! Ives do you have any information on Ownby’s sports hernia injury??? I was wondering how that recovery is coming.
Wish him a speedy recovery… USMNT really needs Charlie Davies in 2010
I’m buying a Davies jersey once the new strip comes out.
Wow this is the biggest Jack @$$ comment ever
Great news! Stay positive CD, still a long way to go.
CD, the reason people have all been saying we need a replacement for you is that mere mortals wouldn’t have had a chance in hell of being back for the World Cup. We apparently forgot you are not a mere mortal, but a goal machine.
awesome work ives. this news is unbelievable, couldn’t imagine a week ago that charlie,demps and gooch could all be in the xi june 12…….updates on jones next?
It’s a great article and great news. I would just say to Charlie to take it easy and make sure you do things right so not to have a setback.
Care to elaborate? Not sure what your point is here.
Wow. Encouraging.
Good scoop there, getting the interview with him.
Who knows whether he’ll be the same player but it’s good he’s in one piece. Even really, really bad decisions shouldn’t have to be fatal.
Wow. I am pumped. I didn’t even let myself dream that this was possible.
Keep it up, Charlie! Thanx for the great news , Ives.
I don’t remember the exact details but a Liverpool academy player was in a fatal accident sometime in April of 2008 killing 2 of his friends, another with a brain damage, another wiht a minor injury, and him shattering his knees, ankles and had to get his kidney removed. He is now 19 yrs old and he finally played his first competitive game with the academy 2 Sundays ago.
What Davies is achieving is absolutely remarkable.
“However, his ability to heal quickly”
and “the greatest comeback in the history of sports”
That is not something that should be said in the days of rampant HGH use. People forgive, even worship, you for getting into a car with a drunk driver.
Not so much if your doctor gets caught crossing the border with HGH drugs and you are his patient.
They will drop you like a wet rag. CD who ?
Get well and Good luck CD. Hope to watch you in June.
Wow, I got a tear in my eye reading that. Just the fact that he’s gotten this far is an inspiration, I have no doubt that he’ll do everything to be on the field on June 12th.
Thanks Ives.
What gets me excited is just the level of determination. He was our best striker during qualifying because he just seemed hungrier than everybody else. And if he’s even hungrier now, he’s going to lead this team in the WC…even if he’s lost a step. Let’s hope he can light a similar fire under Jozy. Those two working hard would be a 500% improvement on the Cunningham, Findlay, Casey combo the other night (still like Findlay, but…)
“Once I’m on the field, I feel bad for defenders who are going to have to defend me.”– Charlie Davies
that pumped me up more than anything i have read in a long time! 137 days till England!!!
Un-f’ing-believable. Keep it up Charlie!
Great article Ives. Does this qualify as the “American Thing” Sir Alex speaks of? What a testament to mind over matter. If you don’t mind the pain then it doesn’t matter.
CHARRRLIEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! That’s it. #9 CD jersey it is when the new kits come out.
CD: Get well, get well soon, we want you to get well!!
Thanks for the update, Ives.
The only thing I can say is unbelievable…
Thanks Ives, great work. Would it be to much to ask of you for you to give us a quick update on when you think Onyewu will be back too?
Also, it sounds that Davies has got a great attitude. Can’t wait to see him scoring against England in June…..
(SBI-I’ll write up an Onyewu update today as well. Right now he sounds like he plans on returning to Milan in the next three weeks to train.)
Thanks for a great article Ives. CD’s attitude and confidence amazes me- we’re a much better team with him on the field.
great work Ives – we all appreciate the update!
Really enjoyed the Article. Hopefully Charlie will not hit any major bumps on the road to recovery and we will have a full strength line-up (in form)in SA.