The following is a guest post by Annabelle.
Last season the NFL made fans, players, and medical experts redefine what is meant by the words "career ending injury." The top two MVP finalists, Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson, were both returning from injuries many considered would significantly cripple or even end their respective careers. Manning had undergone multiple neck operations, while Peterson tore both his ACL and MCL, both injuries that once spelled doom for playmakers at their positions. But, not only did both Peterson and Manning return, but both were unquestionably the best players at their respective positions in 2012, with Peterson coming within ten yards of the all time rushing record and winning the prestigious league MVP. The examples of Manning and Peterson may seem insignificant, outliers in the vast scope of the NFL, but when we also consider the returns of Terrell Suggs, Ray Lewis and Jamal Charles, or the continued play of Robert Griffin III, we have to consider the question: What has caused this dramatic shift in the landscape of injuries in the NFL?
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The following is a guest post written by Dixie Somers.
Several athletes who are faced with physical challenges have gone the distance and excelled in athletic performance. These athletes have been able to push through adversity while touching lives and inspiring millions of people worldwide. Here are five of the top athletes who have managed to excel in the sporting world despite of their disabilities.
Tom Dempsey
This football player did not let his disability stop him from becoming a legend in the sport. Born without any fingers or toes on his right hand and foot, this determined athlete had a special kicking shoe made so that he could still play. He even set a record in the NFL for his 63-yard field goal kick and managed to catapult the New Orleans Saints to victory during the final seconds of a game in 1970 against the Detroit Lions.
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