The news today of another NFL player going down due to a torn
Achilles tendon early in training camp has prompted much
conversation on how to prevent this dreaded injury. Already this
week, the Detroit Lions’ second-round draft pick, Michel
LeShore, and the Cleveland Browns’ All-pro punter, Reggie
Hodges, have had their seasons ended by ruptured Achilles
tendons. With training camps open for less than two weeks,
unofficial counts have 10 players with season- and career-
threatening Achilles tendon tears. So, how can you prevent an
Achilles injury? First of all, why is it called an “Achilles?”
Remember that in Greek mythology, Achilles was the Greek hero of
the Trojan War. Legends state that Achilles was invulnerable in
all of his body except for his heel. As he died because of a
small wound on his heel, the term “Achilles’ heel” has come to
mean a person’s principal weakness. “You’ve torn your Achilles”
is something no person wants to hear from a physician or
trainer. The Achilles tendon is a strong fibrous co