“We went riding dirt bikes. And going through the trail, I kind of hit a ditch and it flipped me over the handlebars. I thought I had my hands down. But I didn’t. Fell on my head. Broke my neck.”
Sometimes you’ve got to let stories speak for themselves. That’s the least we can do for Rodney Rogers, who gave his first interview after being paralyzed from the shoulders down in a dirt bike accident in November. Unlike athletes who suffer serious injuries while playing, Rogers never got the media attention afforded to people like Darryl Stingley or Dennis Byrd. But that’s OK with him. There was always much more to Rogers than his NBA career.
A local boy to the core, he was born in Durham and went to high school there, before starring at Wake Forest and going on to a distinguished 12-year career, including a Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2000. So it was no surprise when he moved back home after retiring in 2005. Though he was “financially set,” he took a job as a heavy equipment operator for the city’s public works department, because he wanted demanding daily work. Six months before the accident, he was promoted to supervisor. That health insurance came in handy, as the NBA’s CBA doesn’t provide for catastrophic insurance for retired players.
Basketball was still in his blood. He was a volunteer girls’ basketball coach at a local middle school, and had set up a computer lab in a nearby housing project, where kids could write to — and get responses from — a local hero. Then came the accident, the day after Thanksgiving.
[Fianceé Faye] Suggs didn’t want him to go. “I just thought we should stay home,” Suggs recalls.
But it was a beautiful fall day. Rogers wanted to see his friends. This time he said yes.
“I could have been spending time with Faye,” Rogers says. “She asked me not to go. But she wasn’t going to sit there and try to force me not to go.”
Rogers had some regrets on the drive to Vance County. He remembers thinking: “I shouldn’t go out today. I’m getting too old for this mess.”
He had on a helmet that day. He had had several accidents on dirt bikes. None had been serious, but they had convinced him to always wear a helmet when riding. He also wore protective gear on his arms and legs.
“But not a neck brace,” Rogers says matter-of-factly.
Rogers hit a ditch, flipped over the handlebars and landed on his head.
Even in the air, he says, he doesn’t remember being hugely concerned.
“I had fallen like that plenty of times while riding,” he says.
But as soon as Rogers came down, he knew something was wrong. His friends circled back to check on him.
“I never lost consciousness,” Rogers says. “I told them when they came back and got me: ‘I think I done messed up and broke my neck.’ I didn’t feel nothing. I couldn’t move my arms, couldn’t move my legs. I knew it wasn’t right.”
The 6′7″, 235-pound power forward now relies on his fianceé. She feeds him, washes him, clothes him. She checked his ventilator constantly and moves him from bed to wheelchair and back.
“When you have somebody like Faye who’s been there since Day One to take care of you,” Rogers says, “that’s great. If it weren’t for her, no telling how I’d be feeling.”
Says Suggs: “He wouldn’t have ever left me in the same situation, so I won’t ever leave him.”
Rogers has hope that he’ll be able to walk again someday, but in the meantime he’s not worried about it.
“I don’t want people to treat me any different,” he says. “I don’t want anybody to feel sorry for me. I’m in a wheelchair. But I’m Rodney. I’m still Rodney.”
3:44 pm on March 11th, 2009
Good to see him in high spirits. I'll never forget his 9-points-in-9-seconds against the Jazz way back when.
4:34 pm on March 11th, 2009
Wow. Just wow. I had never heard that this happened to him. Sad story, but it's great to hear he's staying positive. He was always such a good guy, not just player.
9:36 pm on March 11th, 2009
Rodney always had that something special- as a life long tarheel I had a sportsmen's respect for Rodney even though I always tended to root against ex-acc players in the pros NOT from UNC. God Bless You Rodney- Keep strong
12:10 pm on March 12th, 2009
How sad, and such a random accident. I remember Rodney from his time here in Clipper hell. Some baaad teams. Always a good shooter. Stay strong, RR.
7:21 pm on May 5th, 2009
Greetings Rogers!
Just wanted to say, you are a wonderful young men.Just wait on God.He has something in store for you.You have done so many good things in life for others. We love you Rodney.
AS YOU CALL US, MS. GLORIA
AND MR. JIMMIE
Faye you are a blessing from God. Stand by your man !!!!!
9:43 pm on May 28th, 2009
Hi Rodney, I found out from Darryl Walker about your accident and I will be praying for you down here in New Orleans. GOD Bless You and Your Family
1:34 pm on May 30th, 2009
Hello! my name is Shadiyah in Jan 2005 while at school I became paralyzed from the neck down instantly, ths is a humbling situation ,I'm glad to know that you have a love one that is supportive and there for you ,please be patience with them, and know that God is Love, and he is with you! Shepard is one of the best hospitals and I hope with faith ,new technology , and stemcells , we can regain our normal lives, I was told I would never eat without a tube,and always on the vent, I lost a total of thirty-five pounds , four years and five months I've gained my weight ,with the help of my momma's cooking my g-tube is gone! I'm breathing about 8-10 hours off my vent , and recently move up to 68 percent on breathing effort without my vent, please continue to have faith ,believe,and speak all things are possible. I would like to send you a picture, and If you can move your chin your chair woud operate like mine were I'm some what independant. Stay around positive , loving people, dont listen to the you can't! trust , and BELIEVE! I have family in Atlanta and I really would like to meet you. Best Wishes !
Shadiyah Jones Indianapolis In
loyaltyl3@ yahoo.com
4:29 pm on May 30th, 2009
GOD bless you man, I will be praying for you to get better.
Ashani-Alexander (Atlanta, GA.)
12:56 am on July 15th, 2009
Hey Rodney
I had you on my mine.I hope you are doing ok.I miss talking to you. Ms Gloria said hello and God Bless ! We are praying for you.
Tell Faye we said hello .We know that she doesn’t know us. We are glad that she is a part of your life.
Jimmie and Gloria Clark
8:01 pm on September 20th, 2009
On a Sunday evening in 1999, my wife and I were eating a late night dinner at the CPK in Manhattan Beach, CA. Although my wife and I ordered first and well before the Rodgers and their two daughters, they were somehow served first. Rodney, who had been on his cell phone since walking into the restaurant, just started to scarf down the food in front of him. His wife informed the server that the plates served to them weren’t theirs and the server informed them that it was ours. Rodney had already eaten more than half of the plate by the time the mistake was made. He looked at us and apologized profusely. My wife and I said it was all good and not to worry about it. After we were done eating, we asked for the check and the server informed us that the gentleman at the table across the way had paid for our meal. He again apologized and wished us a good night. Two days later he was traded to the Phoenix Suns. While he was Clipper, I didn’t really follow him, but after that night, my wife and I were RIdney fans. I wish him well and hope that he can regain some movement. Stay strong!