Jets coach recovering from motorcycling accident as season starts
MADISON – The love for motorcycles began years ago for Frankie Sullivan, head coach of the James Clemens boy’s basketball team. His feelings of freedom, excitement and just pure getting away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life has led him to hit the roads upon his 2005 Royal King Harley- Davidson cycle at any given time. Besides basketball, riding the roads is his passion.
Sullivan, 34, in his sixth season at James Clemens, nearly lost forever the abilities to ride his bike and coach the game he’s been a part of for 30 years in an accident on Saturday, Oct. 12. While traveling the area roads he came to the intersection of Capshaw and Nance Roads when the car in front of him stopped short of the upcoming traffic signal. The sudden stop caused Sullivan to apply his brakes and in a flash make the decision to lay down his bike in an effort to avoid a direct collision with the auto in front of him.
“There was no shoulder to the right of the road for me to go to and there was oncoming traffic to my left, so I decided to take my chances and lay down the 800-pound machine,” said Sullivan. “My right foot got caught on my pedal and I suffered a dislocated right foot/ankle and broke my fibula (known as the calf bone that runs from the knee to the ankle joint). The bone actually came out of the ankle and a doctor, who was nearby, showed me how to put the bone back into place. It actually did not hurt that much when I did relocate that bone.”
Surgery was necessary to repair the damage done to Sullivan’s right leg and a plate was installed in his ankle with a bar inserted to help stabilize and protect the fibula. The hardware will remain as he is expected to have a full recovery with some restrictions on movement for the rest of his life. For Sullivan, the change will mean not as much on-court playing time he has enjoyed over the years as he challenges his players to one-on-one workouts throughout his coaching time and he has played on two adult basketball leagues. The former Auburn University All-American and professional player still plays at a high level.
Changes may come in the form not as much shooting the hoops, but one thing for certain, Sullivan will not give up his love for riding the open roads on his Harley- Davidson. “I will continue to ride as my wife, Precious, actually bought me my motorcycle,” added Sullivan.
Sullivan and Precious were scheduled to have their first child last week and Sullivan would right by his wife’s side in whatever contraption needed to secure his leg so he could enjoy the experience of being a father for the first time.
Sullivan knows he has had numerous people help him through the recent endeavor. Those included two Sparkman High students, a doctor who just happened to be near the accident and his neighbors who were traveling just behind Sullivan during the accident. All helped him once the accident happened.
“Of course, Precious has been a trooper during all of this, especially being pregnant,” said Sullivan. “I feel blessed to still be here. I encourage any bike riders to be careful as accidents usually occur from others around us, so beware.”
