It's plays like these that remind us that football is very physical and can be, at times, a dangerous sport.
In the Arkansas vs. Auburn football game, Auburn cornerback Champ Anthony made a big play against an Arkansas receiver by delivering a big, but legal hit on the receiver's blindside. Champ hit the receiver so hard, his helmet came flying off and the stadium was going crazy.
CHAMP ANTHONY HIT STICK‼️ pic.twitter.com/Wp3UsiwvyD
— Power of Dixieland (@PwrofDixieland) September 21, 2024
However, on the next play, Champ went down without any contact and apparently, it was so gruesome that ESPN wouldn't show the replay. Champ went down with a leg injury so bad that he had to be carted off the field.
Auburn DB Champ Anthony’s teammates rally around him following an injury in the 1st quarter vs Arkansas.#auburn #wareagle #wde #auburnfootball #secfootball #teammates pic.twitter.com/gTvBoUPEm7
— Auburn Tigers | AL.com (@aldotcomTigers) September 21, 2024
His team circled around him to show their support for their teammate and wish him well for where he was going next, which my guess would be the hospital.
I saw a screenshot of the injury, and it did not look good, it looked like a broken leg in multiple places.
not a dirty play, and I'm not even sure that it was a contact injury
— Justin Ferguson (@JFergusonAU) September 21, 2024
but it sounds like Champ Anthony had some sort of severe leg injury, like a break
gruesome enough to not show on television https://t.co/L3adBOXl4e
Fans everywhere had seen the play before and were impressed, but then, seeing Champ go down a play later, they knew something must seriously be wrong. It was so bad that ESPN wouldn't even show a replay, which says a lot.
they took Champ Anthony from us & now the refs are here pic.twitter.com/dtXItiz17I
— boosky (@sheabooskyy) September 21, 2024
Auburn fans are struggling after a few plays on defense. It feels like it can't get worse, but when it rains it pours.
And then Champ Anthony gets carted off in an air cast the next play.
— Malcolm FleX (@Malcolm_fleX48) September 21, 2024
The SEC is rough like that.
The SEC is probably one of the roughest and toughest conferences to play in. Champ had an amazing and clean hit, but goes down on the next play, it just doesn't seem fair.
Champ Anthony you’re a dawg, thoughts and prayers with you my brother🙏🏽
— Anthony Schwartz (@TheRealF1ash) September 21, 2024
Having to be carted off the field with an air cast on your leg is never a good thing and all thoughts and prayers are with Champ and his family.
My not-a-doctor opinion: Champ Anthony is having surgery tonight
— Squid🦚- also on (my) BS (@AUSquid) September 21, 2024
I also am not a doctor, but I can probably concur with this fan and say that Anthony is having surgery tonight, it did not look good, and again, it was so bad that ESPN wouldn't even show it again.
Prayers up for Champ Anthony. Playmaker. Devastating.
— Preston Battle (@pbattle__) September 21, 2024
It truly was an amazing play beforehand and no one deserves and injury like he suffered on the next play.
ESPN won't show the replay of Champ Anthony's injury. That tells you everything you need to know.
— Andrew Hutchinson (@NWAHutch) September 21, 2024
ESPN will normally show injuries in a replay at least once while warning viewers that it could be gruesome, but the fact that they wouldn't even show it once tells us that it must have been really bad.
Saw a photo that captured the tail end of play where Champ Anthony got injured.
— Michael Collins (@MCFanSided) September 21, 2024
Yeah, there's a reason neither ESPN nor the sketchy X accounts are showing any video. 🤢
ESPN not showing the play is bad, but when no one else on X (formally known as Twitter) will post it, you know it is really bad.
Everyone will be patiently awaiting an update on Anthony, but here is to hoping he has a safe and speedy recovery.