David Njoku is sharing his experience after overcoming what a doctor deemed “probably the most painful burn you can have.”
The NFL player, who sustained facial and body burns following an incident during an at-home bonfire this fall, discussed his injuries in a recent video posted on the Cleveland Browns’ social media channels.
In the video, displaying the extent of burns on his face and hands, the 27-year-old tight end recounted the late September mishap during a routine Friday night bonfire, where he typically engages in activities like playing music, meditating, and unwinding.
Explaining the incident, Njoku mentioned running out of his usual lighter fluid, opting for a spray version instead of the usual pourable one to soak the wood. The spray, he described, lingered in the air, leading to an explosion when he lit it. Despite the severity of the burns, Njoku didn’t immediately feel the pain due to the rapid nature of the incident.
In a later segment of the video, Dr. Joseph Khouri from University Hospitals revealed that Njoku’s diagnosis was a “17-18% total body surface area burn of second-degree partial thickness,” characterizing it as “probably the most painful burn you can have.”
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Despite the excruciating injuries, Njoku expressed his determination not to miss the Browns’ game against the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 1. During the game, he notably wore a mask pre-game and additional facial coverings under his helmet while on the field.
Even with protective measures, Njoku detailed the challenges, mentioning that every play, whether he received the ball or not, caused discomfort as his helmet repeatedly hit his injured face. Despite these hurdles, Njoku’s resilience and recovery from serious burns underscore the toughness of NFL players.
