NRL
David Kidwell - Kids
South Sydney captain David Kidwell missed the majority of the 2007 season after apparently injuring his knee while playing with his daughter at home. The official story was that he tripped over his daughter but rumours continue to circulate there was to the injury than meets the eye. Indeed, some unsubstantiated reports from New Zealand suggested that former Rabbitohs coach Jason Taylor – sacked after being punched by Souths David Fa’alogo i 2009 – had plenty to say about the incident. But Taylor never got the chance to as the club and former coach agreed on a settlement before he could dish the dirt.
David Kidwell was forced to watch most of the action in 2007. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Jack Wighton - Trampoline
In 2012 the Canberra Raiders were enduring another wretched run with injury, a situation that wasn’t improved when youngster Jack Wighton managed to damage his toe ligaments falling off a trampoline.
AFL
Sharrod Wellingham – Also Trampoline
Wighton wasn’t the only Australian sportsman to suffer a trampoline-related accident. Indeed, Sharrod Wellingham hardly endeared himself to West Coast supporters in his first year after moving from Collingwood, with the former Magpies managing to miss most of the season following a trampoline incident.
Josh Kennedy – Tennis Ball
Weird things and weird injuries certainly happen out west. In 2011, Eagles forward Josh Kennedy was fortunate not to lose his eye after team-mate Dean Cox unexpectedly threw a tennis ball at the forward’s head in the change rooms. Kennedy had to be hospitalised and missed a couple of weeks.
Garrick Ibbotson - Sprinkler
And staying in Perth, Fremantle defender Garrick Ibbotson endured a tough start to the 2011 campaign himself after tripping on a park sprinkler and injuring his ankle. We could only hope that the English cricket team injured themselves doing the Sprinkler back during the 2010-11 Ashes series.
Brad Ottens – Stakes and Ladders
The WA teams are not the only ones to suffer from bizarre injuries. In 2002, then Richmond ruckman Brad Ottens fell from a ladder and impaled himself on a garden stake below. Ottens was a repeat offender though, having also hurt his hand when it came in contact with a boat propeller while water skiing up on the Murray River over Christmas 2009.
Nigel Smart – Burning Coals
Heading back to the ‘90s, Adelaide defender Nigel Smart seriously burnt his feet while firewalking over hot coals in a player motivational activity that went seriously wrong.
Graham Polak – Melbourne Public Transport
And, more seriously, Richmond’s Graham Polak was lucky to be alive after being struck by a tram in 2008. It looked like Polak’s career was over at the time, but he bravely fought back to play for the Tigers once again.
Graham Polak was back on the training paddock in 2009. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
A-League
Corey Gameiro – Foxsports Promo
Players in the A-League appear a little smarter than the other Aussie codes but there was still room for a few weird injuries as well. At the start of last season, Sydney FC’s Corey Gameiro was filming a promotional segment for Foxsports. However, the striker was filming in a marbled room and when he slipped and fell, he ended up dislocating his knee and missing six weeks. Gameiro wasn’t the only Sky Blue player to hurt himself on promotional duties, though, with John Aloisi also suffering a promo-related injury heading into the 2008-09 campaign.
Promo shoots can be dangerous... Corey Gameiro. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
Swimming
Kenrick Monk – Skateboard
In 2011, swimmer Kenrick Monk fell off his skateboard and broke his elbow. Making the incident substantially worse was the fact Monk then lied about the incident and fabricated a story, telling police he had been struck in a hit-run incident.
Kenrick Monk took things too far in 2011. Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
Around the world
Adam Eaton - DVD
San Diego Padres pitcher simply wanted to watch a movie when he hurt himself back in 2001. The baseballer was attempting to open a DVD with a knife – we suspect he was trying to get rid of that stupid red/green tab – and managed to stab himself in the stomach.
Steve Sparks – Phonebook
Staying with Baseball, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Steve Sparks was once dared by friends to rip up a phone book in 1994. When he attempted the feat he managed to dislocate his throwing shoulder.
Tom Glavine – Airline Food
The 90s were a rough time for airplane food as Tom Glavine of the Atlanta Braves discovered. Apparently his meal was so bad back in 1992 he started vomiting and proceeded to break two ribs.
Clarence Blethen – False Teeth
This one occurred back in the 1920 but was still pretty awesome. Boston Red Sox man Clarence Blethen was attempting to intimidate a pitcher by removing his false teeth and placing them in his back pocket. Problem was, he didn’t return them to his mouth and when he went sliding into second base he managed to literally bite himself in the arse.
Kirk Broadfoot - Eggs
Rangers’ defender Kirk Broadfoot plonked some eggs in the microwave to poach them. When he went to check whether they were coked, one exploded and sprayed scalding hot water over his face.
Chase Blackburn - Journalist
In 2007, New York Giant linebacker Chase Blackburn suffered one of the more unusual injuries simply by being in the locker room after a game attempting to clean his ear with a Q-Tip. According to reports, a journalist knocked Blackburn as he was cleaning his ear and the Q-Tip caused severe damage and bleeding to his ear canal.
Chase Blackburn copped more than just the hard hitting questions. Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
Glenn Healy - Bagpipes
Toronto Maple Leaf back-up goaltender Glenn Healy found himself something to d outside of sport by playing the bagpipes. Unfortunately, the bagpipes didn’t love him back and when he was cleaning his instrument one day back in 2000, the bag exploded forcing Healy to have 40 stitches for severe lacerations.
Darius Vassell – Power Drill
Aston Villa’s Darius Vassell took the hygienic option and attempted to pop a blood blister with a power drill back in 2002. Needless to say it didn’t end well.
Joel Zumaya – Guitar Hero
Detroit Tiger Joel Zumaya managed to miss a chunk of vital games after playing too much Guitar Hero and hurting his right wrist.