There aren't many guys in the NFL that are tougher and more resilient than Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis, and that was proven in the aftermath of the NFC Championship on Sunday.
The 32-year old put a big hit on Arizona Cardinals tight end Darren Fells late in the second quarter and immediately went to the locker room holding his arm. He'd return to the sidelines later with his arm in a sling before it was revealed that he had suffered a broken right arm. Davis did not return to the championship game but refused to let the injury hold him back.
Despite the break, Davis told the media after his team's 49-15 win over the Cardinals, "I ain't missing the Super Bowl. You better believe that... The early prognosis is it's broken. We'll get it figured out, and I'll be ready in two weeks."
After Davis underwent surgery on his arm, early Monday morning, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said, "I don't doubt any word he says. If he says he will be ready, I know he'll be ready."
The veteran, who was a first-round pick in the 2005 draft, has suffered major injuries before, tearing his ACL in the same knee three times, the last coming in 2011. Davis overcame each one of those season-ending injuries and is now preparing for his first shot at a Super Bowl victory after ten seasons in the league. Voted an All-Pro this season, Davis has been a key member of the one-loss Panthers and will deservedly get his shot at a ring.
The Carolina Panthers will face the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50 on February 7th. The early signs are that Thomas Davis, arguably the heart and soul of that stellar Panthers defense, will be out there playing.
(Quotes via ESPN)