Miss Florida tore her ACL on Thursday, and still went on to not only compete, but win the preliminary talent portion of the pageant with her baton twirling routine.
Myrrhanda Jones, Miss Florida, tore her ACL and partially tore her MCL in her right knee Thursday morning while practicing her talent. After collapsing on stage, Jones was rushed off in a stretcher and taken directly to the hospital. Jones’ doctor recommended that she have her knee operated on immediately, but Jones refused, according to Gainesville. Instead, the doctors fitted Jones with a knee brace so she could compete that same night.
Jones, who is allergic to painkillers stronger than Tylenol, took the stage in her knee brace and performed an adjusted version of her baton twirling routine. Jones earned a standing ovation from the crowd as well as the Preliminary Talent Award and a $2000 scholarship.
“Football players normally do this in a game and they’re out for the rest of the season, they don’t come back,” Jones told ABC News. “It’s not exactly like that here. I’m coming back.”
The final portion of the Miss America pageant will air Sunday at 8 p.m.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
