Playing in his last home game as a member of the UNC football program, Kaimon Rucker had plans of putting together a show for the home crowd one last time.
However, that opportunity was robbed from him due to a cheap shot from an NC State offensive lineman.
This is straight up DIRTY from NC State’s No. 52. Rolls right up on Kaimon Rucker’s (@_kruck75_) ankle on a cut block. UNC’s best defensive player is probably done for the day. pic.twitter.com/t7CFCGuSZX
— Isaac Schade (@isaacschade) November 30, 2024
As you can see in the above clip, Timothy McKay laid a cut block on Rucker's ankle, a hit that forced the Tar Heels edge rusher to miss the remainder of the game. After the game concluded, it was announced that Rucker had suffered a cracked fibula.
Kaimon Rucker here in the postgame says he cracked his fibula. Adds it's "best case scenario" and that the injury may not require surgery.
— InsideCarolina (@InsideCarolina) December 1, 2024
While the injury is unfortunate, the news seems to be the "best case scenario." Rucker's injury may not require surgery, but it does likely end any hope of him playing in the Tar Heels upcoming bowl game.
Now, don't get it twisted: there were questionable hits on both sides in this game. However, it doesn't justify this particular hit, one that had absolutely no reasoning behind it.
All it did was severely injure someone. As "intense" as "rivalries" like these get, there's no need to maliciously go out and try to harm another player.
Injuries are part of the game, it's a physical game. However, injuries like these can be avoided, as there's no room for unnecessary harm on another human being.
In what was meant to be a special day for Rucker and his family as he closes out his UNC football career is hampered by an injury due to someone else's recklessness and disregard for others.