Teddy Bridgewater
(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

The recently released details of New York Jets QB Teddy Bridgewater’s gruesome knee injury are beyond disturbing.

Your story of overcoming adversity is officially weak now that the intricate details surrounding Teddy Bridgewater’s gruesome knee injury have been released.

On Sept. 8, 2016, the New York Jets quarterback was cut into by Dan Cooper, who recently revealed these details with Ian O’Connor of ESPN.

“It was just a horribly grotesque injury,” Cooper said.

Bridgewater’s knee simply gave out on him in Minnesota Vikings practice while untouched heading into his third NFL season and coming off his first Pro Bowl season.

Though amputation wasn’t a fear nine days after the injury (when surgery was about to commence), the injury appeared to be one of a kind.

“It’s mangled,” Cooper said. “You make the skin incision, and there’s nothing there. It’s almost like a war wound. Everything is blown.”

“But it’s certainly the worst knee dislocation in sports I’ve ever seen without having a nerve or vessel injury,” Cooper said. “It’s an injury that about 20-25 percent of NFL players are able to come back from. … It’s a horrific injury. You’ve torn every single thing in your knee and it’s hanging on by one ligament on one side like a hinge.”

The fact Bridgewater’s made it to this point in his comeback is amazing in itself.

“This surgery was an absolute gut test, a test of what you’re made of, and I’ve seen it break people down,” Cooper said. “I never saw it break Teddy down. … Most people have no idea the volume of the workload this kid had to put in. He had a toothpick of a leg he had to rebuild.”

Bridgewater, 25, enjoyed a sophomore season in which he tossed 14 scores to nine interceptions while throwing for 3,231 yards. Best yet, he led the Vikings to an 11-5 season and a playoff berth.

Nowadays, he’s playing out on a one-year deal while batting young Sam Darnold for the Jets starting quarterback position. Whether or not he comes out on top or starts even one game this season, this comeback bid is one for the books considering just how horrid the injury was.

Robby Sabo is a co-founder, CEO and credentialed New York Jets content creator for Jets X-Factor - Jet X, which includes Sabo's Sessions (in-depth film breakdowns) and Sabo with the Jets. Host: Underdog Jets Podcast with Wayne Chrebet and Sabo Radio. Member: Pro Football Writers of America. Coach: Port Jervis (NY) High School. Washed up strong safety and 400M runner. SEO: XL Media. Founder: Elite Sports NY - ESNY (Sold in 2020). SEO: XL Media. Email: robby.sabo[at]jetsxfactor.com