Kate Hairopoulos , Staff Writer
The initial story that emerged about Darren McFadden breaking his right elbow in an all-out effort to save his new iPhone was phooey, it seems. Or should we say phony?
Speaking publicly about the incident for the first time, the Cowboys running back gave a different account than the one circulated by his coaches earlier this month to explain the accident that required surgery and is expected to keep him out for about two months.
McFadden told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that the reports were untrue. He said he was in a friend's backyard after a funeral and slipped on cement near a swimming pool.
"I just slipped down and landed on my elbow," he told the paper. "My phone was in my hand, and so people kind of put that story out."
McFadden shared his version of the incident while he was in his home state last week to attend an event with elementary and junior high school students at Little Rock Air Force Base.
Cowboys running backs coach Gary Brown said the injury occurred when McFadden tried to recover his cellphone after he nearly dropped it. Head coach Jason Garrett said the injury occurred over Memorial Day weekend at McFadden's home.
The story spawned incredulous and playful Internet memes and revived lists of peculiar injuries suffered by athletes.
Garrett later added: "It's hard to explain that. I'm sure he didn't think the choice was, 'OK, I'm going to keep the cellphone and break my elbow.' I think he probably thought he could make the play. I don't know much about it beyond that."
McFadden missed time during the second week of organized team activities that immediately followed Memorial Day because of a family matter, Cowboys officials said.
Hereturned for the final week of OTAs. At the end of the week, McFadden informed the training staff that his elbow didn't feel right. The fracture was detected in physicals before the mandatory three-day minicamp the next week.
McFadden led the Cowboys in rushing last season with 1,089 yards, but he's had a rough offseason. Dallas added running back Alfred Morris in free agency, drafted running back Ezekiel Elliott with the No. 4 overall pick and McFadden sued his one-time financial planner for $15 million.
It's possible McFadden could return during training camp, which begins in late July.
"I got a few weeks left in this brace, but other than that, my body feels good," he told the Democrat-Gazette. "I feel great, and I'm looking forward to the season. I'm ready to go."
That's a great gif.
