In 2014, Paul George suffered a devastating leg injury during a Team USA scrimmage that would change the course of his career and life. His father, Paul George Sr., recently opened up about the harrowing experience on the “Podcast P” show, sharing the emotional and physical challenges that his son endured during those dark days.
“That was a tough one there. When I got down there, I could see the whole injury because they hadn’t covered it up yet. Then someone came up and put a towel over his leg.”
“When I got down to him, he grabbed me. He had never squeezed my hand like that before, ever. I’m looking at him like, ‘Hey, if you want to let out a tear or something, it’s okay, go ahead and do it.’ But he was just like, ‘I need something, I’m in pain.’ I said, ‘Yeah, I know, son. I’m trying to hurry up and get something going.’
“It seemed like it took a good 30 minutes before they got him up off the floor. Then we were scrambling around, trying to figure out which hospital to take him to. We were almost at one hospital, and they were like, ‘No.’ So they turned around, and we followed them across the other side of Vegas.”
“We got there, and of course, they gave him something for the pain. They were getting ready to bring him into surgery. The medicine was starting to work, and his agent Aaron, for some reason, got Mr. Bryant on the phone—Kobe.”
“He gave the phone to Paul, and Paul was talking to him. When he got done, he said, ‘Guess who I was talking to?’ I’m like, ‘Who?’ He’s lying there, smiling, and he said, ‘I just got to talk to Kobe Bryant.’ I’m like, ‘Really? Okay.’ After that, they wheeled him in.”
“Every NBA player who was in the hospital was there. They were all in the hallway. Everybody was there. When it comes to NBA love, I do see it—you know, when one of their own is down, they all stick together.”
“After the surgery and everything, I think he was in there for a couple of days before they let him come home. We got home, and I’ll never forget this. When he got home, I helped him into his room. He had a lot of stairs in his house.”
“He got up there, got into his room, and I got him situated. Later on, he called me and said, ‘Dad.’ I came in there, and he said, ‘Can you help me downstairs?’ I go, ‘What do you want? I’ll go get it.’ He said, ‘No, I want you to help me downstairs.'”
“He had his own little private basketball court. Now, he had just gotten home from surgery, still on crutches and all that. I’m like, ‘Okay,’ so I helped him downstairs. We got down to the gym, and he said, ‘I want to shoot the ball.”
“You just get it and give it to me.’ I go, ‘Huh?’ I’m over here trying not to tear up because I’m thinking, ‘Come on, you shouldn’t be thinking about basketball right now.’ But we sat there for a good hour, maybe. He shot the ball while sitting down, and I would give it back to him. Then he said, ‘Okay, let me go back upstairs,’ so I put him back in his room.”
“That was a tough one because I didn’t know what the outcome was going to be. That was a nightmare, definitely a nightmare. I wouldn’t wish that on anybody.” (1:08:58)
Paul George Sr. described the immediate aftermath of the injury with a rawness that only a father could express. The visual shock of seeing his son’s injury was compounded by the emotional weight of the moment. Paul Sr. remembered how Paul grabbed his hand with an unprecedented grip, a sign of the intense pain and fear his son was experiencing.
Despite the overwhelming situation, Paul Sr. knew he had to be strong for his son. He offered Paul comfort and reassurance, telling him it was okay to let out a tear, but Paul’s focus was on the excruciating pain he was enduring. The ordeal seemed to drag on as they waited for medical attention.
The journey to the hospital was another stressful chapter in the ordeal. They were initially headed to one hospital, only to be redirected to another, adding to the confusion and anxiety. Once they arrived, Paul was given something for the pain and prepped for surgery. In a surprising turn, Paul’s agent, Aaron, managed to get Kobe Bryant on the phone. Speaking to Kobe brought a rare smile to Paul’s face amidst the pain and the support from the NBA community was overwhelming
After the surgery, Paul George was finally able to return home. The first thing he wanted to do was shoot a basketball. Despite being on crutches and freshly out of surgery, Paul insisted on going to his private basketball court. The experience was a nightmare for Paul George Sr., one he wouldn’t wish on anyone. Yet, through it all, he remained by his son’s side, providing strength and support during one of the most challenging periods of their lives.
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