Hey Kelsey, first things first—I’m so glad you’re okay. I know firsthand how unforgiving and devastating Rhabdomyolysis can be. When I had a severe case, it put me in the hospital hooked up to an IV for seven days. And that was without the weight of a WNBA playoff series on my shoulders.
For you, it wasn’t just another game. A title shot was on the line. And to push through rhabdomyolysis on that stage had to hit you in multiple ways; physically, mentally, emotionally. Yet, you and your teammates still managed to redefine the phrase, “leave it all on the court.”
People need to understand what rhabdomyolysis really means. It’s not just fatigue. You get it by pushing so hard that your body literally forces you to stop. When muscles (skeletal muscle) are overworked or severely damaged, they begin to break down and release myoglobin, creatine kinase (CK), potassium, and other contents into the bloodstream. That process can be life-threatening if not treated.
When you grabbed the referee and sat on the court, it was the best thing you could do in that moment. You had given everything. Your body forced you to stop. That’s the level of sacrifice you gave for your team. You gave absolute effort until there was nothing left. I don’t frame rhabdomyolysis as a badge of honor—it’s a very dangerous condition—but I do understand how and why it happened. After Game 1 in Atlanta, you said winning would come down to who wanted it more and who had it in them. Well, you had it in you.
You had it in you to stun one of the league’s newest darlings, the Atlanta Dream. You had it in you to push the hottest team in the league heading into the playoffs to the absolute brink of elimination. You and the Fever went to places only elite athletes can go, places where you pushed your body to its full capacity.
And for that, Fever fans won’t ever forget. The WNBA won’t either. What you and your teammates did will be remembered as one of the grittiest playoff runs in recent league history.
Now, my prayer for you is simple: replenish your fluids, let your CK levels come down, and rest in the fact that you just co-led one of the most unforgettable moments this league has ever seen.
Because what you gave us, Kelsey, was bigger than basketball.
~ An appreciative journalist
(Photos are from Kelsey Mitchell’s Instagram page)
