During the NBA season opener in Cleveland Tuesday night, Gordon Hayward, in his first game as a member of the Boston Celtics, suffered a horrific injury to his left ankle that likely ended his season.
The incident was not only devastating for Hayward and his teammates, whose season changed dramatically in an instant, but also for all who bore witness to it. Players on the Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers, as well as fans in attendance, were visibly shaken by the scene, with many taking a moment to pray.
Several athletes across the major sporting leagues reached out to Hayward to express their support and condolences on social media — several of whom have suffered similarly tragic injuries themselves.
Kelsey Driscoll 