Former Man Utd star Darron Gibson ‘bit chunks out of his tongue’ in terrifying seizure that almost killed him
FORMER Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson bit chunks out of his tongue during a terrifying seizure that almost killed him.
But the shocking ordeal prompted him to open up on his mental health struggles – and ultimately save his life.
The ex-Ireland international, 36, was watching the Manchester derby at home three years ago.
But things took a horrifying twist which left Gibson’s wife Danielle thinking he was dead.
She told The Sunday Times: “He had gone so stiff and the sweat was dripping from him and he was biting chunks out of his tongue.
“I was trying to stop him doing that, but I couldn’t lift him.
“His body was so wet and his eyes were like a roulette machine, they were whirring around so fast.
“It lasted about three minutes and then there was a stillness.
“His lips turned blue and I thought he had died.
“I just thought, in a really sad way, that whatever demons he has been living with, he is at peace now.”
Gibson was rushed to hospital in Manchester.
He had two days under careful watch from doctors and underwent various tests.
But Gibson was well aware of what had caused the seizure after getting addicted to sleeping pills.
The reliance on the prescription medication Zopiclone was triggered following a leg break.
The injury in October 2020 during his stint with Salford City ultimately ended his playing career after 245 club appearances for United, Royal Antwerp, Wolves, Everton, Sunderland, Wigan and Salford.
The 2010-11 Premier League winner – whose other struggles included childhood bullying and twice being banned from driving following crashes while over the alcohol limit – said: “They were doing brain scans and epilepsy scans.
“I knew deep down what happened but I was too embarrassed to tell them.
“Finally I said, ‘Listen, it’s not that.’ I had taken 12 sleeping tablets the night before and about six more before I sat down to watch the match.
“If you have got the money and the connections you can get whatever [medication] you want.”
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Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
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The brave confessions to Danielle led to a strict ultimatum – either he handed over the pills or he would lose his wife and children.
Danielle added: “I was expecting him to give me a packet of sleeping tablets.
“He brought out a plastic carrier bag and just said, ‘There you go.’”
In the short term, the sacrifice took its toll on his sleep.
But Gibson knows now it was definitely the right decision – because he believes he would no longer be here otherwise.
He continued: “I didn’t sleep for a month. Literally I could not get to sleep.
“I was going to bed, just lying there thinking ‘F***,’ but I knew I had to do it.
“I was grey. I looked horrific.
“I would be dead. If I hadn’t had the seizure, I possibly would not be here now, I was taking that many of them.”