Ryan Watts Reflects on Career-Ending Injury and Path to Recovery
Former Steelers DB Shares Details of His Injury
Ryan Watts, a former defensive back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, recently opened up about the harrowing injury that ended his football career. The unfortunate incident occurred during the team’s preseason finale in 2024 against the Detroit Lions, a moment that would mark a significant turning point in his life.
“I couldn’t move my legs,” Watts recalled during an appearance on the “Athlete Spine” podcast. “My arms not at all. My arms ended up going into a fight-or-flight position. So I was really just stuck. And I was just laying on the floor just thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, am I paralyzed?’”
Watts, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, began his athletic journey at Ohio State in 2020 before transferring to Texas ahead of the 2022 season. Unfortunately, after suffering the injury, he was placed on season-ending injured reserve during final roster cuts last August.
In April, following extensive medical evaluations, Watts was released by the Steelers as he made the difficult decision to medically retire from professional football.
Medical Insights into the Injury
During the podcast, David Okonkwo, the Steelers’ team neurosurgeon, joined Watts to provide a detailed understanding of the injury. He explained that Watts experienced “spinal-cord neuroplaxia.” Okonkwo’s presence on the sidelines proved crucial as he quickly assessed the situation.
“Principally this was a spinal-cord neuroplaxia,” Okonkwo noted. “We were able to ascertain very quickly that Ryan was having recovery of function. I was there on the sideline, and the Steelers are unique in the NFL in that we have a neurosurgeon travel with the team. I was able to figure out very quickly that he didn’t have an unstable neck injury and that he was recovering quite rapidly with restoration of function.”
Remarkably, Watts was able to walk off the field under his own power after the incident. However, he later underwent an anterior cervical discectomy fusion at C3-4 to address a specific symptom that caused shock-like sensations down his arm and leg when moving his head in certain ways.
Despite the successful surgery, Okonkwo highlighted that Watts also dealt with “multi-level congenital spinal stenosis,” a condition that could not be cured, ultimately ruling out a safe return to football for the 23-year-old.
Emotional Journey and Future Aspirations
Though Watts expressed a desire to return to the game, he has come to terms with the reality of his situation. “I feel like I can play football,” he admitted. “I feel like I can go play football or do anything, but I know I can’t. So that’s the thing. But I feel a lot better. I don’t have any of those lingering issues.”
As he navigates this new chapter in his life, Watts’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports and the resilience required to overcome challenges. His journey from the field to recovery exemplifies not just the physical hurdles he faced, but the emotional strength needed to find peace with his circumstances.
As the Steelers continue to evolve, Watts’s experience may resonate with many, highlighting the importance of health and well-being over the allure of competition.
