Damian Lillard’s time with the Milwaukee Bucks ended in the most devastating way, forcing him to exit Game 4 of first round with Indiana Pacers due to an ACL tear. That is after he just went back from month-long recovery from a blood clot.
While it looks painful to see as a supporter, Dame remained determined through it all and to better cope with it, he called on some of the greatest athletes who went through the same thing. Among them is Aaron Rodgers.
“Everybody else had more pity for me than I did,” Lillard said during an introductory press conference for his return to the Portland Trailblazers.
“The PT is about to cry…I didn’t cry. Talking to Aaron Rodgers and KD and Rudy Gay, all these guys that experienced it. I never had that moment of pity with none of my injuries”
Rodgers experienced the worst period of his illustrious career in 2023 during his first season with the New York Jets when he got injured in first game against the Buffalo Bills. He was diagnosed with an Achilles tendon rupture days after and did not play another game that season.
Damian Lillard’s return to Portland
Both Rodgers and Lillard are now moving on from their failed time with former teams. Rodgers will not return to his former team Green Bay Packers as he is now with the Pittsburgh Steelers but Dame has a different story.
The Blazers signed Lillard for three years worth $42 million despite awareness that he won’t be able to play a game at all in the 2025-2026 season.
Dame said he is looking forward to becoming the mentor that he can be with the young team Portland has.
“One thing that I missed over the last two years playing on an older team is I’m able to be more and give more when I have something to pour into when I’m able to be invested in others’ career,” he said.
“More being around younger players with this team, I’ll have plenty of opportunity to do that.”
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