- Gary Rohan’s photo left US social media users in disbelief
- Rohan fractured his skull after hitting his elbow recently.
- Football star returns to training with visible staples in his head
An image of AFL Premiership forward Gary Rohan training with a horrific scar just a week after needing surgery on his fractured skull has sent American sports fans into a meltdown.
Rohan turned up at the Geelong race on Monday to do some light work as his teammates prepared for Saturday’s preliminary final against Brisbane at the MCG.
The 33-year-old, who is unlikely to play again this year, showed a huge scar on his head with 30 visible staples.
The Cats veteran was accidentally elbowed in the head during the first quarter of Geelong’s VFL semi-final loss to Southport just over a week ago.
Despite not needing any help to get to the changing rooms, he was taken to hospital for further assessment, where scans confirmed the worst.
He later shared a heartbreaking update and a photo of him lying in a hospital bed being comforted by his wife Madi.
Since then, American sports network ESPN shared footage of Rohan training with staples in his head on social media, and fans couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
“Bro shouldn’t be on the field,” commented one shocked Instagram user.
Photos of Gary Rohan (pictured) showing off his shocking head scar during training have left American sports fans stunned.
Rohan made a surprise appearance with his teammates on Monday after requiring surgery on his fractured skull, and showed off the horrific after-effects of the operation.
“Those Aussie lads are on a whole different level of toughness and craziness,” one wrote.
“NBA players would have been six feet under,” said another.
“This is why women outlive us,” posted a fourth.
“Get him off the field,” said another.
“Are that guy’s elbows made of knives?” asked another, referring to the player who caused Rohan’s injury.
Many American fans also compared the Cats star to NFL star Tua Tagovailoa in their responses.
Tagovailoa will miss at least the next four NFL games after suffering his fourth diagnosed concussion in five years in Miami’s 31-10 loss to Buffalo last weekend.
Another commentator compared NBA superstar LeBron James to Rohan and found the American to be on par with him.
“Lebron is out here, collapsing because someone hit him in the head, and this warrior is out here with a cracked skull,” they wrote.
It was another scary moment for a quarterback who has a long history of head injuries and has left many calling for him to retire at just 26 years old.
Meanwhile, Rohan has been cleared to play again once the concussion symptoms subside.
Rohan posted a hospital photo with his wife Madi (pictured) as he awaited surgery after suffering a horrific injury during a VFL match.
He had been planning a return to the Cats senior team, which booked its place in an AFL preliminary final and is now one win away from the grand final.
“I“We’ve been assured by the medical staff that the fracture and the surgery itself look a lot worse than they actually are,” Geelong coach Chris Scott said during an appearance on Channel 7’s Talking Footy.
“The concussion is the biggest concern. That’s why he’s ruled out for this week, but I’m told he’s progressed very well with the protocols.”
‘The email is that it is available.’
Rohan has split his season between the senior side and the VFL reserves team this year, last making his 12th senior appearance of the year in a Round 23 loss to St Kilda.