Dean Ashton – West Ham United
This one hits just a little too close to home, as I have been a West Ham United fan since I was a kid! For those of you who don’t know much about the English Premier League, it is one of most popular football (soccer) leagues in the world. Dean Ashton played as a forward, and a highly praised one at that, during his 240 appearances for Crewe Alexandra, Norwich City and West Ham United and for the national club, England. While Ashton was tearing up the pitch at West Ham United, he was called up to play for England but it was during his England call up that Ashton suffered a serious ankle injury which forced him to miss an entire season at West Ham. After his recovery, he attempted to make a few comebacks but was forced into retirement at the very young age of 26.
Dean Ashton – West Ham United
Daunte Culpepper – Minnesota Vikings
Daunte Culpepper easily had the greatest breakout season a quarterback could have. Back in 2005, while playing for the Vikings, Culpepper suffered from a major knee injury during a game against the Panthers. Culpepper ended up damaging three of the four major ligaments in his knee and was placed on IR shortly thereafter. In 2006, he was drafted to the Dolphins for his comeback but he just couldn’t shake off his injury and ended up only starting 24 games in his final four seasons in the league. Culpepper was named the 45th best quarterback of the modern era by Football Nation.
Daunte Culpepper – Minnesota Vikings
