This year marks Matt LaFleur's first off-season as a head coach in the NFL. It's a daunting task for just about anybody. LaFleur is taking the helm of the Green Bay Packers, one of the NFL's most successful teams.
Becoming a head coach for the first time with the league's most storied team could be intimidating enough. Now, LaFleur has another matter to deal with.
LaFleur tears his Achilles tendon
LaFleur suffered a serious leg injury. He has reportedly ruptured an Achilles tendon. The injury occurred when he was playing basketball. He was using a special basketball court housed at Lambeau Field at the time.
The team's physician, Dr. Pat McKenzie, reportedly advised LaFleur to have the tendon repaired quickly, according to ESPN. Surgery was subsequently scheduled for him to take place on the following Sunday.
The damage does seem to be contained, however. LaFleur was still able to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the annual Green & Gold Charity Softball Game. He wore a special boot at the time.
He will spend the rest of OTAs utilizing a golf cart. LaFleur indicated that he plans to make the best of the situation. In an ironic twist, it could serve as a teaching tool for him. USA Today reports that he has stressed caution to players about possible injuries in similar situations. The NFL, and sports in general, has a long history of athletes being injured in unexpected ways.
Even the Green & Gold Charity Softball Game is not immune. In 2018, then-Packers linebacker Clay Matthews suffered a broken nose during the game.
LaFleur was hired to the position earlier this year
LaFleur became the most recent Packers' head coach in January. It came following the second consecutive season where star quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a significant injury himself.
And it was also the second consecutive season where the Packers had a disappointing result, especially by franchise standards. Head coach Mike McCarthy was fired mid-season. McCarthy had led the team to a Super Bowl victory and four NFC Championship game appearances. Offensive coordinator, Joe Philbin replaced him on an interim basis.
Matt LaFleur had been an assistant coach in the NFL with five teams. Most prominently, as offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams and the Tennessee Titans. He was also an assistant coach at college level with five schools. They include Central Michigan University and the University of Notre Dame.
Previously, LaFleur played at the NCAA's Division I level with Western Michigan University as a wide receiver. Later, he was a quarterback at the Division II level with Saginaw Valley State University. Eventually, he played in the National Indoor Football League, now defunct.
