We’re Not Accepting ACL Donations at This Time: Part One

Summary

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Unsupervised with Syd & TP

Episode: We’re Not Accepting ACL Donations at This Time: Part One

Date: August 21, 2025
Hosts: Syd Colson & Theresa Plaisance ("TP")
Publisher: Dear Media

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Overview

In this heartfelt and irreverent episode, best friends and former WNBA teammates Syd Colson and Theresa Plaisance delve into Syd’s recent ACL injury. The conversation combines raw emotion, humor, and a peek into the realities of elite women’s basketball careers, focusing on processing injury, the value of team beyond wins and losses, and the unique strength of female athletes. Between inside jokes and zany asides, the duo gives listeners an authentic look at resilience, vulnerability, and friendship—making this more than just a sports episode.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Injury Stories: The Humor and Hardness of ACLs

• Syd’s Recent ACL Injury
  Syd shares her immediate reaction, processing the injury as it happened, and her mindset in the aftermath.

  • “I was like, no way. Like, when I was laying on the ground, I was like, please, no, no way. Like, I'd rather just finish out the season. Like, let me not be playing.” (06:49)
  • TP and Syd joke about making injury jokes a new part of their material, trying to keep things light.
  • The duo finds humor even in the worst moments, such as a parking attendant offering Syd, who’s on crutches, “the last spot in the very back.” (00:15, 37:49)

• Notable Comparison to Previous ACL Tear
  Syd describes her first college ACL injury, emphasizing the life lessons it taught her about pride and ego in sports.

  • “To this day, that was nothing but a lesson on how pride can be your immediate downfall. Like, just let the ball be stolen. Let them get the two points. You still have an ACL.” (35:23)

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2. Emotional Recovery and Acceptance

• Processing the Emotional Impact
  Syd talks candidly about the struggle with accepting an unwelcome reality, recognizing this injury could end her career.

  • “I know that God has purpose in everything that happens, but even me knowing that, I've still been grappling with, what is the reason, though?” (07:12)
  • TP supports Syd but acknowledges the difficulty of seeing a resilient friend suddenly need help with daily life. (08:00)

• Importance of Vulnerability
  Both hosts stress the value of letting yourself feel the full scope of emotions, not rushing into “silver lining” thinking right away.

  • “I'm usually thinking about how things could be worse... I want to make sure that I'm leaving room for people to see that something can happen to you that is unexpected, that you feel is unfair... and you can still go through it with faith about the situation.” (23:04)

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3. Team Value: On and Off the Court

• Beyond the Stat Sheet
  The hosts break stereotypes about what value means on women’s teams, especially for players who aren’t always in the spotlight.

  • “Just because you're funny and a glue piece doesn't make you a good or even a WNBA player. There's a lot that's... we saw people that were way more talented than us... But there's that it factor… you still have to play.” (18:43–19:13)

• The Unseen Labor of Support
  Syd and TP praise how teams show up for each other—through post-surgery check-ins, food, and emotional support—highlighting the real community in women’s pro sports.

  • “Your teammates and staff here... they value you and they're pouring into you even when you can't do your job, your physical job. And it's really awesome to see you getting the appreciation you deserve. Unfortunately, it's like, shitty circumstances...” (30:00)

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4. Friendship and Mutual Support

• The Power of Showing Up
  Both reflect on times they’ve been able to lean on each other and how friendship deepens in hard moments.

  • “I feel really—not honored, but kind of honored, I guess—to be in the position that I am to, like, be here for you. Because you've been that for me.” (27:01)

• Resilience as a Shared Journey
  The episode explores how facing adversity can uplift others and build community.

  • “The way that you’re going about your day to day is honestly like, really inspirational… the way that you can be strong and that you are. And also your strength comes with emotion as well. You're vulnerable and you're real.” (21:21)

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5. Life Lessons—On Pride, Leadership, and Letting Go

• Learning from Injury
  Syd recounts lessons learned through both ACL injuries—how pride and a need to prove oneself can lead to harm, and how those moments shaped her leadership style.
• Transitioning Roles
  Even sidelined, Syd recognizes the importance of being a vocal leader and a supportive presence.
  • “I can still be a leader for this team vocally. I can still, you know, try to impact people in whatever way I can...” (25:23)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Syd, on the Life Shift of Injury:
  “The truth is that I don't know if I'll be back to play another game. I don't know what this means for next steps for me, but I know that God has kind of like created a way for me really, since... the Anita Baker video, to be honest.” (23:04-24:44)

• TP, on Friendship:
  “I feel really—not honored, but kind of honored—to be in the position that I am to, like, be here for you. Because you've been that for me when I was in a space where I was self-isolating and like, very unhappy with everything and where my life was potentially going.” (27:01)

• Syd, on Team Camaraderie:
  “Just you, Marty, Marcella, you know, teammates coming through... Tasha and Giselle, fixing plates and sending plates over here for us to have something to eat... just looking out... everybody on the team is checking on me.” (29:01)

• TP, on Injury Humor:
  “Selfishly, this has given me a space where I'm like, I’ve never got to tap into injury jokes in a really long time, so I've been ripping them.” (37:30)

• Syd, on Accepting Help:
  “It is a lot for me to be asking for help. But I appreciate you.” (26:49)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Injury Story & Sid's Reaction: 01:13–07:52
• Sid’s Initial Processing and Acceptance: 07:52–10:07
• TP’s Reaction Watching the Game: 13:17–17:35
• Discussion on Team Value & Locker Room Leadership: 18:30–23:03
• Spiritual Reflection and Silver Linings: 23:04–25:23
• Reflecting on Friendship and Mutual Support: 25:20–28:48
• Team, Gifts, and Community Support: 29:01–31:10
• Syd’s First ACL Injury (College), Pride & Ego: 31:16–36:32
• Future Mindset and Looking Forward: 36:32–37:42
• Ending with Humor: Indiana State Fair & Parking Spot Joke: 37:42–38:09

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Tone & Style Notes

The conversation blends raw, unfiltered honesty with witty banter and warmth. Syd and TP riff off each other’s jokes even amid difficult topics, but never shy away from vulnerability. Their rapport is rooted in mutual respect, friendship, and shared experience—a 2 a.m. text thread you’re glad you joined.

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Summary

This episode is a testament to the complexity of being a professional athlete, a best friend, and a woman navigating both public and private struggles. Through Syd’s injury, both hosts reflect on the power of resilience, the importance of community, and the capacity to find humor, purpose, and growth even during setbacks.

Next episode: Tune in for more on Syd’s rehab journey, their unfiltered hot takes, and plenty more off-topic adventures.

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Transcript

[Friend/Host]

This has given me a space where I'm like, I've never got to tap into injury jokes in a really long time, so I've been ripping them.

[Sid]

And Was that another one?

[Friend/Host]

Yeah. Also, we went to the Indiana State Fair.

[Sid]

So fun.

[Friend/Host]

And when we were looking to park, you got hit with an injury joke there, too. So we pull up, and we were like, hey, she's on crutches. And so the lady was like, do you need the last spot in the very back? And we were like, exactly. It was our kind of humor. But, yeah. Because she was white. Got her. Hey, babysitters. So obviously last week we didn't have a show, but we're back. So sorry for that.

[Sid]

Well, I wouldn't say sorry.

[Friend/Host]

Actually, we're not sorry.

[Sid]

Yeah. Because I was the one who was affected, so if I don't feel the need to apologize, actually, the thing happened to me. Right.

[Friend/Host]

So they should be saying sorry.

[Sid]

Hey, babysitters.

[Friend/Host]

So sorry about that little.

[Sid]

Sorry I lashed out. I've had a rough week. So when I went down, I just remember thinking, well, first of all, I was already planning on, like, jumping up and grabbing the rebound and then, like, sweeping through to, like, attack along the baseline. And I feel like. And I don't want to victim blame, but I feel like. Because I was thinking about going.

[Friend/Host]

Yeah.

[Sid]

Before I was thinking about landing, I said, let me stop you.

[Friend/Host]

He's like, this is where you went wrong.

[Sid]

You're thinking too far ahead. I need you present.

[Friend/Host]

Right.

[Sid]

I need you here.

[Friend/Host]

It's.

[Sid]

It's the be where your, what, feet are.

[Friend/Host]

And you weren't.

[Sid]

I was not.

[Friend/Host]

So you learned a life lesson, like, almost immediately.

[Sid]

Yeah, yeah. I'm all about, like, learning the lesson and whatever happened, but it was crazy because I got hurt. So once I went down, I recognized that feeling. I was like, this happened in college when I tore mine like that. This is what it is. So I go to the back. We're getting an export. First of all, Breezy Bree Turner comes and picks me up, and I'm like, you just swept me off my feet. Like, this is rom com or like, love Island. I'm like, am I that light? She was like, see, you felt like a case of water is what she compared to accurate? So I'm like, okay. I'm thinking about the injury, but I'm also like, okay, why did she pick me up so easily? So we're going to the back.

[Friend/Host]

I've been training all season to get my weight up.

[Sid]

I get in the wheelchair. We're going to the room to do an X ray and. Or like to see the doc first. But the doc is, like, doing the tests on my knee. And, you know when you just see a person's face change a little? Like, usually some doctors will try to be more discreet when you're injured and try to give Hope her face. I don't think that she's the kind of person that can hire what she's. Because they're doing it. She's like, how this feel? And I was like, oh, that's fine. How this feel fine. This fine. This one. And I like it. I make a noise, and, like, it just gave out. Yeah, well, it, like, gave, but it wasn't, like, so clear that something was wrong. It's like, yeah, a little something's wrong, but maybe it's not torn. And so she was like. And, like, kept doing some other tests. And, you know, one of the parts I think I wasn't looking. She, like, made eye contact with Todd, the trainer, and I'm like, so it's torn. And maybe several things are torn.

[Friend/Host]

They start, like, speaking in pig Latin around you. Like, they start spelling things out, like, you don't know how to. I love it.

[Sid]

You want to bring it back so bad. Like, you try to mention it discreetly so many times. I'm making the connections 20, 26.

[Friend/Host]

It's a. We have time to adjust. You also have time. You're not gonna be doing much, so pickup.

[Sid]

Right. They're changing a lot in Texas school, so just add it there, too. So I was like, no way. Like, she just isn't hiding it like this. So talk. When talk comes over, I'm like, dawn, is it torn? He was like, we won't know for sure. He's like, but, you know, it's not looking good. I was like, yeah, I had a feeling based off her face. Also. Just what I know about my own injury before, pretty much. But then I'm in the back. I'm in our locker room, like, in our training room. And then Sophie runs in a little later. So I'm, like, crying, but then also just, like, processing, getting it, you know, like, talking to my family. Yeah, all that. And then Sophie runs in. She did something to her ankle or something, which she's already hurt her ankle several times. And then later, they come in. The other trainer, like, Maria's like, like, something happened to Arie. I'm like, there's no way, like, for two season, ending injuries on the same court, like, same game. That was pretty wild.

[Friend/Host]

It is wild, especially in the same position.

[Sid]

Yeah. Right. Because then Cece still though, so it was really like all our pointers, all.

[Friend/Host]

The point guards were shot, and then you had a gut feeling that it was what it was.

[Sid]

Right.

[Friend/Host]

You go back, like, you have all this emotion going on through your head. Like, are you accepting it right away? Like, are you still like pondering in your head if it was like, is this real? Do you still have hope that it could not be your aco? Like, what, like, what's that process feeling like?

[Sid]

I think like, even now, like, I've still accepted it, but I'm like adjusting to, like, this is the reality. Yeah. And for me, I think, like, I've gone so long without being injured in, in my pro career that I know that I'm at the end. So I was just like, you know, I'm enjoying this last like one or two years. Like, and then I'm calling it quits, like, gladly, really. I was happy to call it several years ago, but really cool stuff just kept happening.

[Friend/Host]

Yeah.

[Sid]

But this particular thing, I'm still like, not struggling, but it's weird to be waking up every day.

[Friend/Host]

Yeah.

[Sid]

I just had to accept, like, in that moment I was like, no way. Like, when I was laying on the ground, I was like, please, no, no way. Like, I'd rather just finish out the season. Like, let me not be playing. Like, whatever. You'd rather just get DNPs because you're healthy and somebody's chooses not to than for it to be a season in.

[Friend/Host]

Injury, something for us to take you out.

[Sid]

Yeah. And I'm like, oh, now I gotta deal with this. And I'm like, off season, like, it just changes your whole plan for what you have. But yeah, you know me, I'm a big, like, not just silver lining person, but like, I know that God has purpose and everything that happens. But even me knowing that I've still been like grappling with what is the. What's the reason though?

[Friend/Host]

Yeah.

[Sid]

So like, I'm having to stop trying to be a realist so much and just let the emotions be.

[Friend/Host]

Yeah.

[Sid]

Which typically I do. But for whatever reason, this one is just still.

[Friend/Host]

It's like every single day you're like waking up and it doesn't feel real for like a while. Probably like after your surgery and you're like in the thick of.

[Sid]

Yeah.

[Friend/Host]

Rehab is when you like finally accept the fact that like, okay, this is like my everyday right now. You're waking up in the morning and you're having to quickly remember that you're not as independent as you were before, you need the help. You literally try to do everything yourself. I was, you know, obviously I'm here to be a friend, but also like to help out. And you are very used to just doing everything for yourself. Yeah, that. You can just tell she's still trying to like, help out. There was a case of water in the car.

[Sid]

Don't tell that because the money's going to use.

[Friend/Host]

Okay.

[Sid]

So there wasn't a case of water. Right.

[Friend/Host]

There wasn't a case of water. And she just wanted to test out to see if she can pick it up. Maybe it's because of your subconsciously how breezy made you feel about your own body. Like at this point I can bench press myself.

[Sid]

I am the case of water.

[Friend/Host]

You are the. That was also symbolism.

[Sid]

Thank you for that.

[Friend/Host]

Alignment.

[Sid]

Alignment.

[Friend/Host]

So whenever. Whenever stuff like this happens.

[Sid]

Like, like, look at me right now.

[Friend/Host]

Yeah. So this mountain in front of Sid is. It's necessary. She's got a lot going on. Yeah.

[Sid]

We're looking at like the wide shot and I look like. You've seen the movie where the. The lady is crazy and she's got the God misery. He's like in the bed and she's.

[Friend/Host]

Haven'T seen him, but keep going.

[Sid]

Because she like is obsessed with his, I think writings. I haven't seen it in a long time. I think with his books. And she. He tries to like get away at one point and I forgot what she does. I don't know if she takes a hammer to his legs. What. But then he's like bedridden and she's taking care of him, but she's really crazy anyways.

[Friend/Host]

I don't think that's like in the genre movies that I like.

[Sid]

I just made me think about this, like, look at my setup. I was just like kicking my feet up because I felt like it.

[Friend/Host]

I wish I could kick my feet up for the hell of it.

[Sid]

You know when people make you feel good about like a shitty situation, but it's like, just let me. Let me feel how I feel. You're like, man, I wish I had it.

[Friend/Host]

I wish I could have everybody wait on me hand and foot, carrying me all the time. The last time I got carried, I was like four.

[Sid]

Oh, I missed those.

[Friend/Host]

No, not even when I was 4. My parents are like, you're way too big to be carried. Oh, look at you. I was the kid that all the other kids got to like got swing and like thrown up by the adults. And I was like, my turn, my turn. They were like eyeing me like, I don't know. There was a weight limit to what child could get thrown in the air? Oh, and I always, like, exceeded that weight limit. I'm just like, hit the gym. Oh, like, get your weight up. I was young. Like, my life experience was ruined because I wasn't thrown into the pool by men that were supposed to be big and strong. I'm like, okay, I guess it started young.

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[Sid]

Can I make my site softer?

[Friend/Host]

Can I make my site firmer?

[Sid]

Can we sleep cooler?

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[Friend/Host]

Oh, hey.

[Sid]

Hey. Thanks for meeting me here on such short notice. This place isn't bugged, is it? Bugged? Wait, Jamie, what's going on? It's just you're my only lawyer friend and I need your professional opinion. Do you see that brand new Hyundai Tucson out there? Yeah, that's all I paid for it. Ah, I think I need to get back to you on that. Do you know what you want? Yeah, I do now.

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[Friend/Host]

Listen, I don't want to get in.

[Sid]

Your business, but if that's all she.

[Friend/Host]

Paid for it, I'll have what she's having.

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[Sid]

What were your thoughts when you were watching the game? Like, when you saw it happen? Did you know?

[Friend/Host]

I so, honestly, like, I was coming late to the game. Like, by the time I got home, you were just subbing in. So I was like, oh, perfect. Like my favorite players. It's crazy because I missed, like, pretty much the whole, like, the whole first quarter. I got there when you got in.

[Sid]

Yeah.

[Friend/Host]

And when you went down the way that you went down because you fall often, but you get back up pretty quickly. Like, even if you get hurt, like, you're good for standing up and shaking it off and, like, walking it off. It concerned me when you didn't. It concerned me when everybody was around you and blocking cameras. It also concerned me that, like, I couldn't see your face because you weren't moving really. You were just sitting on the ground and kind of like. Yeah, I guess taking it in.

[Sid]

I was.

[Friend/Host]

I had, like, this gut feeling that it was, like, really bad.

[Sid]

Yeah.

[Friend/Host]

But there was, like, hope that, like, because when I did mine, I walked off the court. Like, I was like jogging in the hallway. So I was like. And I had friends that did like a meniscus, which is like a two or three month recovery.

[Sid]

Yeah.

[Friend/Host]

And they couldn't walk. So.

[Sid]

Because it's like the weight bearing part of it. But when you just tear your acl, you could still run correct. There's no cutting and stuff like that, so it's not giving out.

[Friend/Host]

Correct. So in my head, I was like hoping that if it was like on the list of like, serious stuff, it was like a lesser serious. And I thought maybe because you did need help getting off the court and it would have been like you're meniscus. And it was like only going to be two to three months. Because a lot of people, especially women, like, no one talks about how resilient women are because we scientifically are bad drivers, are terrible drivers. And I'm like, it needs to be talked about more because I'm sick of women drivers on the road. Am I right? But I. I'm the type of person that, like, whenever I see something happen, I, like, want the best. And then when it's your friend, and also when you know somebody as well as you do, you're, like, looking for small things that can, like, give me something to like, put my mind to rest that, like, you're okay. And it was really hard. Like, I watched the rest of the game, but I was not watching the game. I was just watching the bench to see if you came back on and you could sit on the bench. Like, I was really, really concerned. And then you texted me saying, like, it's probably my acl, but we won't know until we get imaging. I was, like, really upset. I was, like, sobbing the entire time. And then I remember Marty, she was, I guess went back with you, but then she had to go get the luggage at the hotel. So when she got into her Uber, she called me. I remember, like, waiting to hear or see what Marty would react to see, like, if she was more hopeful than you were or what. But it was just really. I don't know, it was really sad. But it was also a part of me felt, like, closer to both of you because of that moment that happened. Because I'm like, this is when we really need to start pouring into each other as friends. And this is when, like, the support really comes true. It's really easy to be there for people when everything is going your way. And, like, now, especially around, like, our birthdays, when we both had, like, weird things happen crazy around our birthdays. Like, this is something that was such a low and a time when we were having so many highlights. Like, the podcast rollout has been so much fun. Like, your birthday. We had a full, like, birthday surprise party that we've been planning for, like, weeks to, like, pull off for you. And it was just really hard to recognize that, like, things are going to be different. Like, maybe not completely different. And also, like, I was worried about you and who you are. Like, I didn't know if this was going to deflate you. I didn't know if, like, because I've only seen you healthy, I've never seen injured, Sid.

[Sid]

Yeah.

[Friend/Host]

So I didn't know, like, how you are when you're not at your 100%.

[Sid]

Like, at my best health.

[Friend/Host]

Exactly.

[Sid]

Yeah. And, I mean, I'm pretty much the. I feel like I'm the same. Like, I'm a motivated person in general. Like, but especially with basketball. Like, that's how I even stayed in the league this long. Like, I had to be resilient and competitive and tough to even last. Like, yeah, I make great jokes. Like, I'm just using this moment, but, like, yeah, like, funny in locker room. But you also have to play basketball on these teams. Like, we have practice, and the people who are practicing have to be getting the people who are playing better. So the notion that people have. That people are just, like, on a team and shouldn't be, like, it's pretty rare that that's happening, right?

[Friend/Host]

Like, Issa Rae is not on a roster. Tina Fey is not on a roster. Like, I don't see Will Ferrell dabbling in the NBA. Like, you have to make a whole nother movie called Semi Pro to, like, dabble in his basketball professionalism. But.

[Sid]

Right.

[Friend/Host]

Just because you're funny and, like, you're a. A glue piece.

[Sid]

Right. Doesn't.

[Friend/Host]

Doesn't make you a good or even a WNBA player. Like, there's a lot that's. Another thing that we can speak on is that we saw people that were way more talented than us.

[Sid]

Yeah.

[Friend/Host]

Had better, like, in my better physiques, better, like, physical attributes than me. But there's. There's that it factor that when it comes to being in.

[Sid]

In the league, you still have to do. You have to play.

[Friend/Host]

And also you're preparing. If you don't. If you don't play real minutes in the game, you have to be able to maintain your value. They're not just handing out spots in the W. It's not like, oh, we're cutting all these people in training camp. What, so then we can, like, hand out spots for the people that made the roster? No, it's cutthroat. And you have to maintain your value. And if your value is preparing starters, if your value is pushing people and defending people, so. So that when they're guarding the game, it feels like easier than practice, because we all know that you're locking people up. Like, that's what it is. I've also seen you run scout teams as point guards. I've seen you break up potential fights that were about to start. I was like, oh, my God, this is about to get bad. And you make one joke, and it's like the Red Sea parted. Red Sea just came back to normal. I was like, whoa, that was some good stuff right there. I'm, like, jotting down notes on the back, like, okay, okay, do this, do this. But there's a lot that goes into it. I think that now especially. And also, like, the clips that people have seen your team rally around you right now. I think that it's important to see that value is on court because obviously there's 12 roster spots on every team. But also your value is how you communicate with people, how you show up every day, your attitude. And that has. That has not changed. Being around you. This week. You're inspirational in that sense because you're going through something that could be life changing for forever. You don't know if you're going to see a basketball court again. You don't know if that was your last game. You don't know anything about what your rehab could look like. If this is something that you mentally want to do, physically want to do. And maybe it is. But the way that you're going about your day to day is honestly, like, really inspirational. And the way that you've been able to, like, keep me uplifted, like, I want to be sad for you every single day. And the way that you wake up and have a good attitude is really inspirational. And I'm just like, so proud of you. And this is going to be a long journey.

[Sid]

Yeah.

[Friend/Host]

But I appreciate that you carry it. You carry it really well. Like, nobody wants this. Nobody asked for this. And also another thing is, like, women, like, I guess are scientifically more prone to tearing your ACL and doing things like this. Right. And everyone just says, like, oh, you'll be back. It's not that easy. Yeah, it is in theory. Like, oh, you'll be back. You can cut. Yeah. Science is great. Medicine has so advanced now. There's like great recovery. But you have to be mentally willing and your mental is so strong that it's going to will your physical to do whatever you want to do. And that what, that's what makes me proud of you every single day, is the way that you can be strong and that you are. And also your strength comes within motion as well. Like, you're vulnerable and you're real. And I think, like, this whole process, obviously it's not going to be fixed by the episode following this one.

[Sid]

Right.

[Friend/Host]

But, like, we're going to be able to watch your journey and this is going to be something that hopefully is going to help other people. This is going to be the last ACL torn on a basketball court. So this can be used. And also just the adversity that you're going through, the way that you'll shine through your adversity, I hope people can see and really, like, use as their own inspiration.

[Sid]

Yeah. Thank you.

[Friend/Host]

Yeah.

[Sid]

Appreciate you. Love you too. I think I was just like, yeah, like, I wake up every day positive and stuff.

[Friend/Host]

You do.

[Sid]

But, like, I think the biggest, like, I think not even. But the reason why is because you know how I am. Like, I'm always gonna look at, like, it could be better, it could be worse.

[Friend/Host]

Right.

[Sid]

And I'm usually thinking about the, like, how things could be worse. Like, yes, it's emotional because, like, it could be career ending. It will be life changing. You know, it's something that's just out of your control. But at the same time, I want to make sure that I'm like, leaving room for people to see that something can happen to you that is unexpected, that you feel is unfair and all these things. And like, you can still go through it with still like, having faith about the situation. Because the truth is that I don't know if I'll be back to play another game. Like, I don't know what this means for next steps for me, but I know that God has kind of like created a way for me really, since. Since the Anita Baker video, to be honest. And since things started taking off on my social. Since being with the Aces, like, even being on that team that year after being out of the league was God meeting you. God planned that for us to be there. We hadn't been on a team yet together. And for us to win together in our first year, to become good friends, to get a show after, to have a pause together, this isn't coincidental. Like, we met at a time we did for a reason. And so I just look at all of this. Like, no, I didn't want to turn my ACL and be out for the rest of the season, which I am out for the rest of the season. A lot of people that I see keep being like, all right, you know, get better. We, we, we need you back.

[Friend/Host]

Brace the rub.

[Sid]

I'm not going to be back towards the end of the season.

[Friend/Host]

Okay. Because I'm still wondering, like, are you going to play this weekend?

[Sid]

Right? Yeah. Every day you or every game day, you're like, are you playing or no.

[Friend/Host]

I need to know because I'm not just gonna go to the game unless I know you're gonna get in.

[Sid]

So it's been crazy, but it's been like a, A slow down moment and like, trust, because like we said, we both have cursed birthdays a little bit at least. But I don't even want. I don't even want to call it that.

[Friend/Host]

I guess we had a cursed birthday because all the other ones were pretty solid.

[Sid]

Right? But I don't even want to say curse because I think that there's a reason that we'll see down the line for, like, why we went through what we went through. And for me, I feel like I already know. Like, I need, like, I can still be a leader for this team vocally. Yeah, I can still, you know, try to impact people in whatever way I can or be impacted by somebody here. But also, you know, it's just becoming more clear to me that you are somebody like, very just like special and different in my life because you coming here and especially like, Mari had to go out of town and you're here to help look out for me and stuff. Like, you don't have to do that, but also you have time to do that because as upset as much as we talk about like you not playing, like, it's really crazy, a 6, 5 stretch big that can pass and stuff, I'm like, I'm not over it. Like, it doesn't make sense to me, basketball wise. But like, here we are. But you're, you know, sidelined and you're available, you know, you were available to be here with me, which, like, sucks for both of us that we're like free right now to be in person doing this. But at the same time, like, there's good that can come out of of this situation that will continue to come out of our friendship. Like, and I just appreciate you so much for being here. Like, it is a lot for me to be asking for help.

[Friend/Host]

Yeah.

[Sid]

You know, but I appreciate you.

[Friend/Host]

I love you. I really do.

[Sid]

Get your.

[Friend/Host]

I fractured my eye socket and I've been sidelined since with different things. It was that. It was like a lot of issues with that and it carried on into this year with my blood work and stuff like that. So you've been such a confidant for me. You've been a friend who has, like, showed up for me even when I know you're busy, even when I know, like, you have other things to do. Honestly, the best thing that ever happened to me is that you to retail. Because now you have all the time in the world. I don't have to wait for you to get done with practice. Like, imagine just hanging out with your best friend all day long. It's fun. But I like, I feel really not honored, but like, kind of honored, I guess, to be in the position that I am to like be here for you. Because you've been that for me. When I was in a space where I was self isolating and like, very unhappy with everything and where my life was potentially going. I did not know. I just know I was like battling an uphill battle to get back into basketball. And while I was doing this, you were a safe space for me. You also brought me humor outside of what I was going through. It's very isolating just being by yourself alone and having a WNBA injury because you get taken away from your team, there's an off season, you're just doing this by yourself. So I really had you, my family, a few friends that were there for me, but you were such a confidant for me. And I. I'm really happy that I'm in the position that I'm in to be here for you, because I know that it would have gone both ways if anything were to happen to me.

[Sid]

So I appreciate you. And it's crazy, like, looking at you even being here. Like, the awesome party that y' all plan. They did a Harry Potter theme party for me, which is we have some.

[Friend/Host]

BTs that I think we can.

[Sid]

We do have BTs, but, like, just you, Marty, Marcella, you know, teammates coming through. That's another thing. Like, the team has been so helpful, and this is a new team, you know, so I've only known them for a few months, but, like, Tasha and Giselle, like, fixing plates and sending plates over here for us to have something to eat. Not that we wouldn't have eaten otherwise, but, like, just looking out. You know how people do when people.

[Friend/Host]

Are either sick when people checking up on you, showing up.

[Sid]

Yeah. Bringing you, being so helpful. Like, just everybody, like, everybody on the team is checking on me. Like, you can.

[Friend/Host]

You know, when, like, people don't play. Like, a lot of people. Some people find value in just what you can do for them on the court.

[Sid]

Yeah.

[Friend/Host]

But what I've seen out of, like, your teammates and staff here is that, like, they value you and they're pouring into you even when you can't do your job.

[Sid]

Yeah.

[Friend/Host]

Your physical job.

[Sid]

Right.

[Friend/Host]

And it's really awesome to see you getting the appreciation you deserve. Unfortunately, it's like, shitty circumstances, but you getting the appreciation you deserve is, like, makes my heart warm because I know that a lot of people, their value is held with, like, how many points.

[Sid]

They score, even for air. Like, she had a get well soon. Like, we rode on a car for her and she had a basket, like, on her chair because, you know, she just had her surgery, obviously. But, yeah, there is that difference in feeling like, of. And it's not even about getting, like, a gift basket for people, because most all teams are gonna do that. Somebody gets injured, they're gonna still. They're gonna show some sort of care for the person. But it's in, like, little things you notice. And we can speak to this as players who have been not valued on teams. It's the type of communication with people or like the lack of eye contact, the lack of, you know, just consideration that is given to other players that you should just get as a person.

[Friend/Host]

Right.

[Sid]

But you don't get sometimes. But it's like, interesting. Like, I clock it all the time with people.

[Friend/Host]

I do want to ask you something. Since this is your second time doing this.

[Sid]

Which one's better?

[Friend/Host]

What's your favorite one? Yeah, which one was your.

[Sid]

My favorite one?

[Friend/Host]

No, no. But I do want to know. Like, was it similar to your first time? Like, was it in front of a sellout crowd in Phoenix? Like, what was it like?

[Sid]

No, crazier. So not crazier. I know, but we were at, I think it was elite camp. It was after my freshman season, going into my sophomore season. So I was telling this to some of the girls on the plane and Marty rode back on the plane with us once I got hurt, so. Oh. So I'm like telling them, all right, so it's after my freshman year, I'm going into my sophomore season and it's exciting because I'll finally be playing. I'm going to finally be starting. And my freshman year, I didn't get to start, but I was like the highest rated recruitment coming into A and M. And they were like, oh, God, we need to know that you just stay humble.

[Friend/Host]

Not you immediately getting made fun of. Like, okay, immediately.

[Sid]

And I thought nothing of it because I was giving context. It was like, this was a situation most freshmen going in nowadays, if they go into a program and they're not playing right away, they're transferring, right? They're leaving.

[Friend/Host]

But I need a back contact.

[Sid]

Like, we had a senior point guard that I played behind. Shout out. Aqua. What up, Aqua.

[Friend/Host]

Hey.

[Sid]

Aqua was an excellent point guard. She now is a head coach at Lamar University. But I always, I respected Aqua's game. She taught me so much about leadership and work ethic and how to, like, carry myself as a basketball player. Then I was like, guard. So I'm like, of course I should be playing behind this. This one.

[Friend/Host]

Like, it makes sense.

[Sid]

I need some. I need to learn. So after, after my freshman year ended, like I said, I'm going into sophomore year, excited. So we have camp and we're playing. We would play, like against the campers and we would also, like, mix up our players with their team.

[Friend/Host]

Okay.

[Sid]

You know, so we're scattered. So we're playing. I'm at half court, like near half court, and like making a move. And like, actually, you know what? It was more three point line because I remember the chase Was insane. So I'm going to the three point line. I make a move. Our walk on. Steals the ball. Mind you, our walk on Kylie is.

[Friend/Host]

Like shout out to you, Kylie.

[Sid]

Kylie's like a 58 white girl. She got a goofy, silly personality. She's like not just playing, she's not playing basketball, trying to go to the pros. Like, she's having a good time. So she rips me at half court. So I'm like, you know, this is in front of the campers. This is in front of whatever other people were there, the players. So I'm like, oh, fuck no. So she's going the other way. I turn and I'm sprinting. Like by the time that I'm turning to take off, she's already like at the other three point line. So I go into LeBron mode, like chasing her like a crazy person to go. Like, at least block it.

[Friend/Host]

Yeah.

[Sid]

So I'm like, you know, I'm definitely about to go block it. If I got ripped in, everybody absolutely. I go up to block. Goes against the backboard.

[Friend/Host]

So you have like an out of body experience. You pinned the ball on the backboard.

[Sid]

I didn't quite pin, but it caused like a brother. So the way that it my hand hit on there, come down awkwardly on my right leg, tear my acl. To this day that was nothing but a lesson on how pride can be your immediate downfall. Like just let the ball be stolen. Let them get the two points. You still have an ACL because they.

[Friend/Host]

Weren'T recorded towards any official records at all.

[Sid]

This was strictly just ego. So I learned very early that you can be pride, like in my basketball career.

[Friend/Host]

Yeah.

[Sid]

You can be so prideful that it will physically cost you.

[Friend/Host]

It will take you down.

[Sid]

I didn't need any more lessons about like ego, pride. And I also feel like that went hand in hand with the kind of player that I. I think I would have already been.

[Friend/Host]

Yeah.

[Sid]

But it emphasized it even more to be a certain way. And it's like it's informed how I behaved the rest of my career.

[Friend/Host]

Also. Like, I don't see you being like a teammate even before then.

[Sid]

Right. Like I was just competitive.

[Friend/Host]

You were just. And also stayed competitive. But you probably went about it a different way.

[Sid]

Yeah.

[Friend/Host]

After your ego. Really.

[Sid]

Right.

[Friend/Host]

Your ego and your acl. So this time it was just her acl, folks. Her ego is just fine moving forward. Which is why we're here. Days following.

[Sid]

Yeah. The fateful news. Yeah. But it was all of that to say, like, there's a lesson in all of this. There was a lesson in my ACL tear back then. There's one right now happening that I think I know, but I'll be figuring out along the way. Like you said, we'll be able to document, really, my. My rehab process and my mindset and all of that throughout it. And, you know, hopefully it'll be able to encourage some other people, like you said. But more importantly, just keep me, like, faithful and motivated. No. No matter what, it's going to be like, I'm going to work as though I'm coming back to play on court, but I might not. And I might realize, even if I'm healthy along the way, that I don't need to. And so I'm looking forward to seeing, like, what God presents along the way for me to pick up on that. Like, either this is what I want you to do, or it's okay to let go.

[Friend/Host]

Right. Also, like, selfishly, this has given me a space where I'm like, I've never got to tap into injury jokes in a really long time, so I've been ripping them and.

[Sid]

Was that another one?

[Friend/Host]

Yeah. Also, we went to the Indiana State Fair.

[Sid]

So fun.

[Friend/Host]

And when we were looking to park, you got hit with a injury joke there, too. So we pull up and we were like, hey, she's on crutches. And so the lady was like, so you need the last spot in the very back. And we were like, exactly. It was our kind of humor. Yeah. Because she was white. Got her.

[Sid]

It.