Playing Through the Pain

Rob Green, the former England goalkeeper, has recently opened up about a gruesome and permanent injury he sustained during his playing career. Green, who retired in 2019 at the age of 39, played with a 'dead' finger for the last ten years of his career. To continue playing, he had to wear a special glove designed to support his injured finger.

A Career Marked by Dedication

During his career, Green made over 250 Premier League appearances and won 12 caps for the England national team. He played for clubs like West Ham, QPR, Norwich, Leeds, Huddersfield, and Chelsea, where he won the Europa League in 2019.

A Gruesome Injury

The little finger on Green's right hand is permanently wonky, the result of numerous dislocations and breaks over the years. Green recalled how his finger slowly started to die as a result of these injuries. It started sticking in the ground when he dived to his right, prompting him to seek medical attention.

A Special Glove to the Rescue

In order to continue playing, glove manufacturers created a custom paddle hand for Green. This special glove had two main fingers and one larger finger, allowing him to tape his injured finger together and keep it relatively straight. Green relied on this finger brace for the remaining years of his career, successfully surviving through games despite the injury.

An Unexpected Icebreaker

Now retired, Green sees his wonky finger as an interesting conversation starter. He jokingly refers to it as a "nice icebreaker" and shares stories about his experiences as a goalkeeper. Despite the challenges, Green's dedication to the game and his ability to overcome adversity make him a true trailblazer in the world of football.

Key Takeaways

- Rob Green played with a 'dead' finger for the last ten years of his career
- A special glove with a finger brace allowed him to continue playing
- Green won 12 caps for England and made over 250 Premier League appearances
- His wonky finger now serves as an interesting icebreaker in conversations