Paul George Shares Floyd Mayweather’s Role in His Leg Injury Recovery

Just as Paul George began establishing himself as a superstar in the NBA, he faced a devastating setback—a brutal lower leg injury that sidelined him for nearly a year. The NBA community rallied around him, showing immense support, but one significant figure was boxer Floyd Mayweather. His encouragement played a crucial role during George’s recovery.

Paul George Sr. shared insights into this difficult time on an episode of Podcast P with Paul George. He described the overwhelming support his son received from the NBA community while highlighting Mayweather’s exceptional contributions when George was hospitalized.

"Floyd came every day," Paul George Sr. recounted. "He said forget the hospital food and brought all the soul food in Vegas." He added, "He had the floor smelling like he was at momma’s kitchen."

Living in Las Vegas at the time, Mayweather had recently finished a match against Marcos Maidana. He became a constant presence at the hospital. George, now with the 76ers, reminisced, "Floyd pulled up at least three or four days out of the six or seven days I was there. ‘P, I’ll be back tomorrow. I’ll come check on you,’ he’d say. And true to his word, he’d show up with a fresh plate of soul food. So big shout out to Floyd."

Mayweather’s dedication and support were phenomenal, but he wasn’t the only star to reach out. Kobe Bryant also contacted George, providing vital encouragement to start his rehabilitation.

"He was like, ‘If you need anything from me, I’m here. I’m in this with you,’" George revealed. "But he cautioned that rehab would be tough and tiring. Having never been seriously injured before, I had no idea what to expect. My only significant injury in college didn’t require surgery—just time off. So, this was a first for me."

Bryant’s advice was to approach rehab with the same passion and dedication he had for basketball. "He told me to find fun in rehab like I do on the court. ‘Attack rehab like you attack the basketball court,’ he said. There’s no other way you’re going to get through it."

Since his injury, Paul George has worked hard to not only recover but to surpass his previous performance levels. He’s been named to nine NBA All-Star teams and four All-NBA teams. His time with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2018-19 season was particularly noteworthy. George averaged an astounding 28 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 38.6 percent from three-point range.

That season, George finished third for MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, earning spots on the First Team All-NBA and First Team All-Defensive Team. His determination and resilience are evident in his accolades and improved performance.

Now with the Philadelphia 76ers, George aims to have better availability than he did during his tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers, where injuries frequently kept him off the court. His journey from the devastating leg injury to becoming one of the most formidable players in the league serves as a testament to his strength, perseverance, and the unyielding support system around him.

Source: ClutchPoints