Former NBA player paralyzed after accident

[nickhailey]

thats sad he was always a good role player in the nba

[bobo81]

Oh man this is sad news...its sad whenever this happens to anyone. Best of luck to him and his loved ones.

[damelo]

He chose that job, it has to be respected. He didn't do that for money apparently, but mainly I think to feel useful. So, that was a good job.

Sadly, with some risks for accident.

[thadzonline]

my heart goes for rodney....he is a silent guy, but he did have some good NBA seasons

[ankle breaker]

from nba to the department of public works. from the hardcourt to the heavy equipment yard. from balls to steering wheels. what a sad ending of the career of rodney rogers. just imagine his boss didn't know he was a former NBA player. he could have put a good business for himself.

[Khalid80]

by FOXSports.com

December 4, 2008

"Former Wake Forest star and 12-year NBA veteran Rodney Rogers has been paralyzed from the shoulders down, according to his former coach.

Rogers was injured when he fell off the ATV he was riding in rural N.C. last week.

He was transferred Wednesday from Duke Hospital to Atlanta's Shepherd Center, which specializes in recovery from catastrophic injury.

Rogers was drafted ninth overall by the Nuggets in 1993, after a standout college career with the Demon Deacons.

He played for seven NBA teams before retiring in 2005.

He went to work in retirement as heavy equipment operator for the city of Durham's Public Works Department.

His agent says Rogers was set for life financially, he just couldn't bear the thought of not working.

His boss says he wasn't even aware of Rogers' previous career.

"I didn't even know he had lots of money. He is very friendly, very concerned, very conscientious. We chose him because of his ethics and his attitude. He was highly motivated. He was promoted to supervisor six months ago," Michael Balzarano told the News & Observer."

What a sad and very unfortunate event .
Rodney was a great player and I remember that he used to play for the Clippers and the Suns. I also remember that he once won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award when he was with the Suns.