Tony Hawk Recovering After Breaking Femur

"I won't stop skating until I am physically unable. A broken leg — with plenty of hardware — will probably be the biggest test of that creed"

BY Kaelen BellPublished Mar 9, 2022

Sam Jones' Tony Hawk documentary Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off hasn't even dropped yet, but it seems like a follow-up might already be in order. Hawk has added a harrowing new chapter to his life as a skateboarding legend, having revealed that he's currently recovering from a severely broken femur.

Hawk took to Instagram to share the news, posting a gnarly X-ray photo (beware if broken bones and the like freak you out) and footage of him walking with crutches. A broken femur is a pretty major deal for any skateboarder, but as Hawk notes in his Instagram post, it's particularly intense for someone his age. 

 Hawk's Instagram caption reads: 

Yesterday sucked. I broke my elbow 20 years ago and managed to make a full comeback; this recovery for a broken femur will be much harder because of its severity (and my age). But I'm up for the challenge.

There is a strange irony that this happened on the eve of HBO releasing a trailer for
Until the Wheels Fall Off, Sam Jones' documentary about my life & career, which has a strong focus on the philosophy of how I/we do this at our age. The answer is complicated, but ultimately it's because I have found my sense of purpose and shaped my identity through skating, and it nourishes my mental health immensely. I've said many times that I won't stop skating until I am physically unable. 

A broken leg — with plenty of hardware — will probably be the biggest test of that creed. I'll be back… maybe not at full capacity but I resigned to that notion years ago as I approached "mid-life." Thanks to my unyieldingly supportive, tolerant family — and all of you — for the love and support through the years; I wouldn't be here without you. See you on the other side.


Wishin' you a speedy recovery Tony! Yesterday, HBO shared the trailer for Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off, which follows the trials, tribulations and triumphs of Hawk's skateboarding career. It arrives on the streamer on April 5. 

See Hawk's post below. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk)

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