“I started having flashbacks” — Shay Given on Taiwo Awoniyi’s injury

By Monsurah Olatunji

The news of Taiwo Awoniyi’s induced coma following a severe abdominal injury brought back vivid memories for former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given.

Nearly two decades ago, Given himself endured a brutal collision with West Ham’s Marlon Harewood, which led to a torn bowel—an injury so severe that his doctor compared it to the trauma experienced in a car crash.

Now a TV pundit, Given shared his personal experience with The Mirror and extended his support to Awoniyi.

“When I heard how Awoniyi’s condition deteriorated, I started having flashbacks because it sounds like a very similar injury to the one I suffered. I just want to reach out because there is nothing more painful than what he’s going through.”

Given recalled the specialist’s assessment of his own injury: “The specialist who operated on me said the only time he had seen an injury like it was after a car crash. He said it happens when you smash into something at high speed and your ribs hit the steering wheel.”

Drawing parallels, he continued, “Of course, I don’t know the full details of Taiwo’s injury, but it sounds very similar in terms of it being a result of a heavy impact. I’d just like to send my best wishes to him.

“I just hope he gets the same outcome that I did. It took me three or four months to recover, although I still have a big scar on my stomach as a permanent reminder. It could have been a lot worse… but, unlike Taiwo, I couldn’t carry on.”

Despite the serious nature of his own injury, Given defended Nottingham Forest’s medical team amid criticism of their handling of Awoniyi’s situation.

The Nigerian forward had tried to continue playing after colliding with the goalpost, due to Forest having no remaining substitutions.

This decision has been widely condemned, especially given that Anthony Elanga was offside in the lead-up to the incident.

Given offered his perspective on the matter, saying, “If a player says he’s okay, you trust him. There’s no way the doctors could have known how serious it was.”