It was a steamy late July morning in Spartanburg, S.C., as per usual, and the first training-camp practice in pads for the Carolina Panthers. Fans dotted the hillside overlooking the field, the only shade coming from the thin shadow cast by the light poles. About an hour and a half into practice, agonizing screams pierced the muggy summer air.
Starting right tackle Daryl Williams had been pass blocking in 11-on-11 team drills, when he fell down to the grass, crying out in pain. The entire team went silent and took a knee, while the Panthers athletic trainers rushed to attend to him.