Paul Wood is a British rugby league player, and he is one tough dude. Wood was playing for the Warrington Wolves against Leeds Rhinos in the Super League Grand Final in Manchester on Saturday, when he lost a testicle after a collision one minute into the second half of the game.
He played the rest of the game before seeking treatment for the injury.
To be perfectly clear, he was involved in a collision where his groin was severely impacted; causing the loss of his right testicle once he reached the hospital. It could not be saved.
And let me repeat: He played the rest of the game before seeking treatment for the injury.
I know Rugby players have a tough reputation, but this guy is over the top. If I'd had a collision of that magnitude, the last you'd see of me would be on a stretcher, curled in a fetal position and sucking my thumb, while medics dragged me off the field to get to the nearest hospital. I'd also be pointing back at the field to make sure they brought my testicle along with me.
Through it all Woods maintained what appears to be a level head and an excellent sense of humor, tweeting that he “Ruptured my right testicle, got a knee one minute into the second half, had to have it removed.”
We assume he is referring to the testicle, and not the knee.
He later tweeted, “Just coming out the hospital to go home… Seriously feel like I’ve left something?” as well as “Tony Smith (Warrington coach) did say in his pre-match team talk last night ‘your balls are on the line here guys!’ I didn’t think he meant literally.”
Despite Wood’s outstanding effort and testicular contribution to the cause, Warrington lost the match 26-18.
An on the job injury can often have long term effects, but it is clear that in Rugby, dropping a ball during play can be considered a fumble of a lifetime.