Football legend John Terry credits Arsenal's physio for potentially saving his life after he was subjected to a severe head kick from Abou Diaby during the 2007 League Cup Final, causing him to sleep for nearly two consecutive days.
In the thrilling climax of the 2007 League Cup final, Chelsea's legendary defender John Terry faced a life-threatening incident. During the match against Arsenal, Terry's head collided with Abou Diaby's boot, leaving him unconscious on the pitch [1][2][5].
Arsenal's physio, Gary Lewin, who knew Terry from England national team days, swiftly responded. Lewin cleared Terry's airway and stabilised him, a timely intervention that likely prevented a fatal outcome [1][2].
Terry himself recalled the moment as terrifying, remembering the lead-up like a corner kick and his anticipation of scoring before he was knocked unconscious. The rapid intervention by Lewin during this high-stakes match between Chelsea and Arsenal was instrumental in managing the injury [1][2].
Despite the seriousness of the incident, Terry was taken to the hospital in full football kit and wandered out of the hospital in his kit to hail a taxi, returning to the stadium to celebrate the 2-1 win with his team-mates [3][4]. However, his decision to leave the hospital and celebrate was not considered smart.
Terry's replacement during the match was Jon Obi Mikel, and the match ended in a bad-tempered climax. Mikel was later sent off in stoppage time, alongside Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure [6].
Despite this harrowing experience, Terry's career saw him make over 800 appearances for club and country, earning him a spot at no. 4 in a website's list of the 20 best Premier League defenders of all-time [7]. Terry does not recall the bad-tempered climax of the match, instead celebrating with his team-mates and then sleeping for almost two days.
Remarkably, Terry suffered very few lengthy injuries throughout his career, a testament to his resilience and determination on the pitch. The incident in the 2007 League Cup final will forever be a reminder of the importance of quick medical attention and the courage of Gary Lewin, Arsenal's physio, who saved Terry's life on that fateful day.
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In the world of European leagues, the harrowing incident involving John Terry during the 2007 League Cup final, a Premier League match, showcased the importance of swift medical attention. Gary Lewin, Arsenal's physio, saved Terry's life on that fateful day, a testament to his quick response and professionalism in the heat of the game.
