The stakes are even higher for super-athletes: those who have played two or more sports at the professional level. Michael Jordan, Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders are among the most well-known two-sport athletes at the professional level. But their journeys weren’t without challenges and orthopedic injuries requiring surgery. Here are the surgeons who treated them throughout the years.
Michael Jordan
Mr. Jordan first rose to fame as one of the most dynamic and exciting players in the National Basketball League playing for the Chicago Bulls. He guided the Bulls to win three consecutive national championships before abruptly leaving the sport to play professional baseball for the Chicago White Sox and affiliated minor league teams. His baseball career was short-lived, however, as he returned to the Bulls. In his second stint with the Bulls, Mr. Jordan proceeded to win three more consecutive national championships before ending his career with the Washington Wizards.
One of Mr. Jordan’s orthopedic surgeons was the famed James Andrews, MD, of Andrews Institute for Sports Medicine & Orthopaedics in Gulf Breeze, Fla. Dr. Andrews also treated another member of this list — Mr. Jackson. Dr. Andrews is widely regarded as one of the leaders in sports medicine and has mentored several of today’s prominent physicians in the field. He continues to treat both professional athletes as well as patients at any level and develop orthopedics programs in Florida and Alabama.
Mr. Jordan sought Dr. Andrews’ care in 1994 during his stint in AA baseball when he hurt his shoulder, according to a Bleacher Report article.
At the end of Mr. Jordan’s career, Stephen Haas, MD, team physician for the Washington Wizards, performed arthroscopic knee surgery for Mr. Jordan at Sibley Hospital in Washington, D.C. Mr. Jordan tore his lateral meniscus in his right knee. The surgery took place in 2002 and marked only the second time Mr. Jordan was on the injured list in his career, according to a CBCSports report.
During his 1985 season, Mr. Jordan was sidelined by a broken foot which required surgery.
Bo Jackson
Mr. Jackson was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but opted to join the Kansas City Royals in 1986, defending World Series champions. However, he was drafted again by the Los Angeles Raiders and signed a contract to play both baseball and football. He played the entire regular baseball season and reported to the Raiders for their week seven game. He was a Pro Bowl player and set NFL records. Mr. Jackson became an American League All-Star in baseball and had several memorable moments with the Royals before finishing his career with the Chicago White Sox.
Dr. Andrews also treated Mr. Jackson, in addition to then-Royals team physician Steve Joyce, MD. Mr. Jackson suffered a hip injury while playing football, and several orthopedic surgeons chimed in with thoughts on how to best treat the injury, and whether Mr. Jackson would have to quit playing professional sports. Dr. Andrews assisted a team physician for the Chicago White Sox Robert Daley, MD, in the eventual hip replacement operation and Mr. Jackson returned to play for the White Sox, according to a Desert News report.
Mr. Jackson eventually ended his career with the California Angels after lingering issues related to injuries.
Deion Sanders
Mr. Sanders is primarily known for his time as a cornerback in the National Football League. He was a member of the Super Bowl-winning San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys football teams, and also played professional baseball for the New York Yankees, who went to the World Series while he was on the team. He is the only athlete to have played in both the World Series and Super Bowl. During his time in the NFL, Mr. Sanders was recognized as the Defensive Player of the Year.
In 1995, Mr. Sanders underwent ankle surgery performed by John Uribe, MD, to remove two loose fragments from the left ankle, according to a Chicago Tribune report. At the time Mr. Sanders was ending his baseball season with the San Francisco Giants and looking forward to playing for the Cowboys after recovery.
While playing for the Cowboys, Mr. Sanders underwent toe surgery for a variation of turf toe. He met with both North Carolina surgeon Robert Anderson, MD, and New York surgeon William Hamilton to discuss options. He underwent a nearly three-hour surgery performed by Dr. Hamilton to correct the injury, according to a News OK report.
Mr. Sanders will be a keynote speaker at the 13th Annual Spine, Orthopedic & Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference + The Future of Spine in June 2015. To learn more and register, click here.
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