Adelaide Crows footballer Luke Nankervis has become an unexpected viral sensation after a TikTok video showing him suffering from lockjaw while waiting for medical attention at a hospital gained widespread attention online.
Teammate Captures the Moment
Josh Rachele, a fellow Adelaide Crows player, posted a clip on TikTok on Wednesday with the title 'POV: your friend gets locked jaw at 12am'. The video depicts Nankervis struggling with the condition, yet managing to maintain a sense of humour as Rachele films him.
The clip quickly amassed over 100,000 views, with many of Rachele's followers expressing curiosity about how Nankervis ended up with lockjaw. One user joked that 'the pasta was a little too al dente', while another asked, 'Did his jaw get stuck like that after watching Brayden Cook on Friday night?' This latter comment references Adelaide's thrilling victory in Showdown 59 against Port Adelaide, sealed by Cook's last-minute winning goal.
Understanding Lockjaw
According to the Cleveland Clinic, lockjaw, commonly known as tetanus, is a serious condition that causes muscles to stiffen and spasm uncontrollably. The bacteria responsible produce a toxin that can severely disrupt the nervous system, potentially leading to life-threatening complications. Symptoms include difficulty swallowing or breathing, as well as excessive drooling.
Despite the discomfort, the 22-year-old Nankervis appeared in good spirits during the video, even laughing at one point. He is expected to recover in time for Adelaide's next match against the Richmond Tigers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 10.
