Rodney Rogers: "I Just Want To Be Able to Walk Again."

by Net Income on Jun 14, 2010 1:15 PM EDT

It's been almost 20 months since Rodney Rogers was hurt in a dirt bike accident in rural North Carolina. The former Net hasn't walked since, hasn't moved his legs, his arms, his hands. Now he's locked into a wheelchair that also serves as a mobile hospital bed, with beeping sounds and read-outs of his various bodily functions.

Doctors have told Rogers that he has a 5 percent chance of walking again. He goes to rehab and flew to Germany for stem cell therapy that hasn't worked yet and may not.

His career, which included a Sixth Man of the Year and one dramatic game-winner while a Net, is now a memory as are a lot of things others take for granted.

"I hope and pray that in the near future, I'll get my arms back, and then hopefully my legs. If I had to walk with a cane or something, that'd be fine. I just want to be able to walk again."

Former NBA Sixth Man of the Year Rodney Rogers battles paralysis with slim hopes for recovery - Anna Katherine Clemmons - ESPN

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Holy Crap

I never heard about Rodney being paralyzed. Geez, that is really unfortunate. Get well, brother.

by BEB on Jun 14, 2010 1:18 PM EDT reply actions

Rodney was a great 6th man! All the best wishes and luck to him!

Had followed this a while ago.. but there’s been no news for a really long time. Tragic.

by NJNM on Jun 14, 2010 1:20 PM EDT reply actions

holy crap...

…i forgot that Rodney was paralyzed from the neck down This is truly saddening, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, especially RR.

Good luck Rodney. Damn…

"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."

by MrDollarBills on Jun 14, 2010 1:26 PM EDT reply actions

Thoughts and prayers out to this guy, He was a great personality, a great basketball player all thoughout his career,and loved him as a Net. It was such a tragic accident, and I hope him all the best.

by Benl1 on Jun 14, 2010 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

It's great to see that he's maintaining a positive attitude

Some things have a way of really putting things like sport into context. All the best, Rodney.

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by Rusty_b on Jun 14, 2010 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

Very, very sorry

to read this. Best wishes, Rodney. We’ll be rooting for you…

by MJa on Jun 14, 2010 1:29 PM EDT reply actions

Its stories like this that make you look at life differently...

…be grateful for what you have, even if it isn’t much.

"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."

by MrDollarBills on Jun 14, 2010 1:34 PM EDT reply actions

So true.

I don’t post all that much on here, but felt like I had to extend my best wishes to Rodney & his family. Stay positive!

by UKNJ on Jun 14, 2010 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Amen...

Who we take with the #3 pick is really irrelevant compared to the important things in life.

My prayers are with Rodney.

by rundmc00 on Jun 14, 2010 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Definitely

Wish you all the best, Rodney.

by mt57 on Jun 14, 2010 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Brings things into prospective...

…when looking at all the LeBron come to our city fansites. And we all forgot about Rodney Rogers.

Get well brother!

by Whoop Dee Damn Doo on Jun 14, 2010 2:08 PM EDT reply actions

my prayers are with Rodney and his family

by Mark Cruz Arandela on Jun 14, 2010 2:19 PM EDT reply actions

Absolutely. Prayers to Rodney and others suffering.

by Oriel on Jun 14, 2010 2:23 PM EDT reply actions

2nd that

by Atronic on Jun 14, 2010 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks man (from a fellow quadriplegic).

by ShawnG on Jun 14, 2010 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Definitely pulling for you Rodney. Get well and all the best for a successful recovery.

by IsaacNJN on Jun 14, 2010 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

Get well RR

He was a beast in the 1990s McDonald game dunking like crazy. You are a real character in the locker room. Thanks! Get well soon.

by Chuck D. on Jun 14, 2010 3:50 PM EDT reply actions

Ill never forget that big shot he hit against the bucks in the 2003 playoffs…

I hope that someday he and many others like him will be able to walk again. Continue to stay positive and never give up hope.

by NetsNewark on Jun 14, 2010 4:06 PM EDT reply actions

Has the ban on stem cell research been lifted in the US?

I see that it didn’t help him(yet), but it could help others in the future. This sucks bad i thought he was only unable to move his legs, but his entire body? smh…life is cruel.

"No one stands on the top of the world. Not you, not me, not even gods. But the unbearable vacancy of the throne in the sky is over. From now on...I will be sitting on it."

by MrDollarBills on Jun 14, 2010 4:41 PM EDT reply actions

Not sure about the ban being lifted...

I do know that for 8 years we lagged far behind Europe in stem cell research however. Like the others have already said, I just wish the best for RR. Hope to hear more about him in the future. He wasn’t a Net for all that long but did get the team past the pesky Bucks and got the Nets onto their best NBA run ever. More important than that he seems like a good guy and no one deserves what he’s going through. My absolute best of wishes are with you, RR.

by J-Sal on Jun 14, 2010 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions