On January 9, 2012, Jeff Green was laying on a surgical table preparing for surgery to repair a damage aortic root aneurysm.
After undergoing urgent heart surgery, Green laid on a hospital bed faced with his biggest adversity ahead of him. While recovering, Green missed the entire 2012 NBA season with his future of returning to the league unknown.
Fast forward ahead 365 days however, and Green is back. Wednesday night marked the one year anniversary following Green’s surgery. During the second quarter, Green helped conduct the Celtics to go on a 14-2 run with 2 back-to-back dunks, leading the Celtics with a team high of 14 points to seal an 87-79 victory over the Phoenix Suns. While reflecting on his personal milestone Green said,
“I don’t cry, but it was (emotional),” he said fighting back tears. “A year ago I had heart surgery. I think about lying in bed, when I woke up from it, to where I’m at now. It’s a big deal to me. I’m just glad to be here, glad to be alive, glad to be playing basketball. I don’t cry, but it was (emotional),” he said fighting back tears. “A year ago I had heart surgery. I think about lying in bed, when I woke up from it, to where I’m at now. It’s a big deal to me. I’m just glad to be here, glad to be alive, glad to be playing basketball.”
Prior to the game, Green tweeted a photo of himself exactly one year ago dependent upon a tub running down his throat, three drainage tubes, and three IVs pumping in his chest. It’s a memory that he will never forget, but can use to fuel him to fight. The last chapter has yet to be written for the Iron man, but you cannot deny this is an amazing comeback story.