Ken Anderson, legendary former Bengals quarterback, undergoes L 4/5 spinal-fusion surgery
Ken Anderson, who starred at quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1971 to 1986, tweeted Friday that his back surgery "went great" and he's home from the hospital, ready to watch the team's playoff game Saturday against the Titans in Nashville.
On Saturday, he added that he wishes that he could be "partying with all the Bengals fans in Nashville" and encouraged them to "bring home a winner."
He also said he knows Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will be ready for the big game, "and that's all that counts."
Anderson's tweets:
Got home from the hospital today.
Back surgery went great
Need to take it easy for a while
Got my recliner ready for tomorrow’s game
Who Dey Baby
Let’s get it done— Ken Anderson (@KenAndersonNFL) January 21, 2022
Did not sleep well last night
Must be a big game today
Don’t know if I will be ready, but I know Joey Franchise will and that’s all that counts
Wish I could be partying with all the Bengals fans in Nashville
Bring home a winner
Who Dey— Ken Anderson (@KenAndersonNFL) January 22, 2022
The L 4/5 spinal-fusion surgery Anderson had involves a permanent connection of two or more vertebrae in the spine.
Anderson suggested via Twitter on Wednesday that he's hoping to make a full recovery - with plenty of golf in his future - after undergoing back surgery at Christ Hospital in Liberty Township.
Just got off the operating table
Had back surgery fusing L4-5
Thanks to Dr Curt for doing a great job
The staff at Christ Hospital in Liberty Township are amazing
I can now see golf in the future— Ken Anderson (@KenAndersonNFL) January 19, 2022
The Bengals announced last July that they would add Anderson and the late Ken Riley to their inaugural Ring of Honor. They were inducted in September along with Hall of Fame offensive tackle Anthony Muñoz and team founder Paul Brown.
Anderson and Riley - teammates in Cincinnati from 1971 to 1983 - were considered for nomination last August as the Pro Football Hall of Fame's senior candidate for its Class of 2022, but former Raiders receiver Cliff Branch instead was nominated.
Anderson, the only former QB with four NFL passing titles without a bust in Canton, finished his playing career with 32,838 passing yards, 197 touchdowns, 160 interceptions and an 81.9 passer rating in 192 games. He's been a Hall of Fame finalist twice.
Muñoz, widely considered among the best offensive linemen in league history, is the only Pro Football Hall of Famer to have played his entire career with the Bengals. Muñoz has publicly lobbied for both Riley and Anderson - his teammates in Cincinnati from 1980 to 1983 - to join him in Canton.
"I don’t think that there is any question that Joe Burrow is gonna be an outstanding quarterback," Anderson told The Enquirer last February.
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ken Anderson, former Bengals quarterback, undergoes back surgery
