ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 11: Alex Mack #51 of the Atlanta Falcons relaxes on the bench before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Georgia Dome on September 11, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

Falcons center Alex Mack has likely dreamed his whole life about playing in the Super Bowl, and Sunday he was finally going to get the chance. But then ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the four-time Pro Bowler suffered a fracture in his left fibula during the NFC Championship game, meaning he will presumably miss the Super Bowl. You’ve got to feel for the guy.

Wait… what’s that? Mack will actually play in the Super Bowl? Despite a literal broken leg? That’s ridiculous!

Schefter reports that if this were the regular season, Mack’s injury would sideline him for six to eight weeks. Instead, he’ll be suiting up Sunday night, though Falcons coaches are reportedly unsure how he’ll hold up on downfield blocks.

Does any of this seem sensible? Hell no!

Of course Mack wants to play in the biggest game of his life, and of course the Falcons want one of their leaders and best players to be on the field, but Mack could seriously mess up his leg if something goes wrong and mess up Atlanta’s championship hopes if he can’t adequately block. At a certain point toughness and perseverance are really just trite synonyms for recklessness.

If you’re rooting for the Falcons, you might be pulling for Mack to swallow some pills, battle through the pain and play the entire game. If you’re rooting for Mack, you’re probably hoping he doesn’t play a snap.

[ESPN]

About Alex Putterman

Alex is a writer and editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. He has written for The Atlantic, VICE Sports, MLB.com, SI.com and more. He is a proud alum of Northwestern University and The Daily Northwestern. You can find him on Twitter @AlexPutterman.