The New England Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons, 30-23, on Sunday Night Football by forcing a turnover on downs as the Falcons drove into the red zone in the final minute of the game. If the Patriots get anymore game winning defensive stops, they'll have to do it without their massive perennial Pro Bowl defensive tackle, Vince Wilfork.
Early in the game, Wilfork's right foot turned awkwardly and he had to leave the game. He was later carted off with his shoe and sock off. Because of the quick, awkward motion, Wilfork's heft, and the manner in which he left the field - with some help but largely under his own power, I assumed this was a relatively minor injury like a sprain or a bruise.
The Twittersphere exploded with the predicable round of fat jokes at Wilfork's expense. I am generally of the opinion that injuries aren't funny and that when someone leaves a game, it is nothing to joke about. Still, I (probably along with millions of others watching on television) did not think the injury was serious. The sideline reporter initially said Wilfork's return to
the game was "questionable".
This morning, ESPN Radio reported that Wilfork suffered a torn Achilles tendon, which all but certainly will end his 2013 season. Today's retweets are from yours truly, Eric Hatfield at The Daily Hat Trick (
@ech1997). I put my foot in my mouth by deviating from my usual position that injuries and jokes don't mix. I also stumbled unwittingly into a pun on the injury (near his heel), not helping matters:
Last night - "The fat jokes about Vince Forklift's injury on Twitter are out of control. #VinceWilfork #Patriots #NFL #SNF #Wilfork #fat"
This morning - "I made a fat joke about Vince Wilfork when he left the game, thinking it was a sprain. He's out for the year. #IFeelLikeAHeel #Patriots #NFL"
Images from http://espn.go.com
