(Credit: AP / J. Scott Applewhite)

Of all the bone-protruding injuries in sports, this one may be the most gruesome. In a Monday Night game between fierce NFC East rivals in 1985, the Redskins and Giants entered the second quarter tied at 7. Then it happened. Joe Theismann and the Redskins called a flea-flicker 43 seconds into the second quarter. The quarterback handed the ball off to running back John Riggins, who rushed up to the line, stopped on a dime and tossed the ball back to Theismann, who took off running. Giants linebacker Harry Carson caught up to the mobile quarterback quickly, but in Theismann fashion, he escaped Carsons grasp for extra yardage. Finally, Lawrence Taylor slowed down Theismann and brought him to the ground before Gary Reasons fell on top of the pile. That was the hit that did it. Theismann fell awkwardly and his leg twisted beneath him as he hit the ground with a crack. The entire stadium went silent at the sight of Theismanns broken fibula protruding through his skin. He also suffered a fractured tibia. The Redskins won the game, 23-21, but Theismann never played again.

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