America loses it over viral image of Gary Rohan’s gruesome scars

AFL star Gary Rohan has sent American sports fans into meltdown after images emerged online of his gruesome new look.

A gruesome image of Geelong Cats star Gary Rohan has left American social media users in disbelief.

The AFL veteran returned to training this week, one week after he suffered a fractured skull while playing in the VFL.

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The 33-year-old was in the goalsquare during the first quarter when a Southport defender collided with him after spoiling the footy.

Despite it appearing to be an innocuous blow, Rohan was taken to hospital for scans which confirmed the terrifying injury.

Rohan showed off his gruesome new look as he watched his teammates go through their paces with dozens of staples tracking across his head.

Rohan had been shaved from ear to ear for the surgery with the injury possibly spelling the end of his AFL career.

While Rohan shared images of himself from his hospital bed, it was photos of his scars that sent the US into meltdown after they were posted by ESPN and Sportscenter on Instagram.

A carousel of images of the Cats star were shared with the post detailing how the injury came about: “Rohan suffered an accidental elbow to the head in his team’s semi-final game last week.”

The scar is absurd. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

America lost it over the images. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The comments section of the post was flooded with Americans in shock over what they were seeing.

One commented: “Ain’t no way brotha should be on that field.”

A second wrote: “Mate it’s okay to sit this one out.”

A third added: “NBA players would’ve been 6 feet under.”

A fourth wrote: “Them Aussie Rules guys are on a whole different level of toughness and craziness.”

Australian golfer Min Woo Lee jumped into the conversation by writing: “Yes, Australian football is tough … no pads or helmets.”

Rohan following surgery.

The gnarly new look for the Cats star. Pic: Michael Klein

Despite the gruesome nature of Rohan’s new look, Geelong coach Chris Scott said he’d been given the all clear to return to the field by the medical team once his concussion symptoms clear up.

“Looks can be deceiving, I mean I would have shaved it all off if I was him,” Scott said on Channel 7’s Talking Footy.

“But the medical staff assure us that the fracture, and the surgery itself, looks a lot worse than it actually is.

“The concussion is the bigger concern. So he is ruled out for this week but he has progressed through the protocols really well I’m told.

“The mail is that he’s available.”

The injuries will see Rohan sidelined for Geelong’s preliminary final showdown against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday.

Rohan is out of contract at the end of this season and is yet to reveal if he will look to extend his career beyond this year.

A veteran of 204 games with the Cats and Sydney Swans, Rohan has endured an injury-hobbled season for the Cats, appearing in only 12 matches this season.

Originally published as America loses it over viral image of Gary Rohan’s gruesome scars