Cleveland Browns’ David Njoku Details Extent of His Burns in New Video: It ‘Happened So Fast’

David Njoku is speaking out after recovering from what doctors called “probably the most painful burn you can have”.

The NFL player, who suffered burns to his face and body after starting a house fire this fall, has spoken out about his injuries in a new video shared on the Cleveland Browns’ social media channels.

In the video, which showed the extent of the burns on his face and hands, the 27-year-old tight end explained that the incident in late September happened during a weekly Friday night bonfire where he plays music, meditates and relaxes.

“I ran out of the normal lighter fluid that I use to soak the wood, so I used this other one. It was a spray instead of the kind you pour,” Njoku said, explaining that the lighter fluid was “still in the air” after sprayed the tree.

“So when I lit it, it just exploded. I saw the fire coming from my wrist and it just exploded in my face. I didn’t really feel any pain because it just happened so fast,” he continued.

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Later in the video, Dr. Joseph Khouri of University Hospitals said Njoku’s diagnosis was a “17-18% second degree partial thickness total body surface area burn,” which he described as “probably the most painful burn you can have.”

Despite the injuries, Njoku told the doctor he doesn’t plan to miss the Browns’ game against the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 1, where he wore a mask before the game and additional face coverings under his helmet while on the field.

“Even if I put that mask on and off, bits and pieces of my skin and my face would be removed,” he said.

“I wrapped my whole face, I put a ski mask over it and put a helmet on. Every play, whether I got the ball or not, the helmet hit me in the face, I felt it every time. When I wasn’t even doing anything, I just I was sweating… it was intense,’ he added.

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Njoku also recalled taking off his helmet after the game, when he noticed his face was “torn up”. He later shared a picture of himself on Instagram detailing the extent of his facial injuries.

“There have been so many DMs and messages from burn victims who are afraid to show their faces,” Nojoku said, explaining that the post made them feel “a little better about themselves.”

“Things happen, mistakes happen and you have to do your best,” he explained.

David Njoku shares the first pictures of his burnt face after the fire accident

Njoku has since sought to raise money for the American Burn Association (ABA), selling T-shirts as part of the limited edition “Withstand” merchandise line.

“I think that was one of the messages that David wanted to get out, you can’t do it alone,” Khouri said in a new Browns clip. “That’s why he’s at the ABA and he’s donating because it’s a very, very difficult road to recovery.”

Njoku also decided to promote the ABA as part of the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative. At the end of the clip, he held up a pair of custom football boots emblazoned with the words “Meso je weak”.

“It really is,” he said of the quote. “Your mindset, your mentality is everything. The body will follow the mind at the end of the day. Whatever your mind tells your body to do, it’s going to do no matter what. So I really took that to heart.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education