Sorry - but, in the context of my post and the one that I was replying to, I'm not sure what point you're trying to make.
The person I was responding to was asking for example(s) of anyone who'd played top-line football AFTER multiple years of crippling injuries. Nothing to do with how good or bad they were beforehand.
(And, even if that was part of the question and answer anyway, are you seriously claiming that JOM wasn't considered an elite talent before his injuries?! Good luck with that argument.)