Fans have often noticed Morgan Freeman wearing gloves on his left hand in award events. This was a major topic of discussion when fans spotted this at the 2023 Oscars. The actor had suffered a major accident in the past, making it essential for him to wear the arm accessory. So, what actually happened to Morgan Freeman and how do these gloves aid him?
Here are the details.
What happened to Morgan Freeman’s hand?
Freeman’s arm accessory initially came into notice when he startled the audience by appearing at the 95th Academy Awards last year. Margot Robbie accompanied him as the duo paid homage to Warner Bros 100 years in the entertainment industry. Many observed that Freeman wore a black glove only in one hand complementing his overall suit, which sparked curiosity around his hand injury.
This hand injury dates back to 2008 when Freeman suffered a a major accident while driving a vehicle near his home in Charleston, Mississippi. He reportedly drove left on a rural road in Mississippi and met with an accident. His car flipped multiple times, leading to serious injuries.
Clay McFerrin, editor of the Charleston Sun Sentinel newspaper, reported at the scene and witnessed that hydraulic cutters were used to bring him out of the vehicle. At that time, he was reportedly conscious and was joking with the paramedics (via The Guardian).
As his condition was severe and couldn’t have been treated locally, he was airlifted to Regional Medical Center in Memphis. He sustained a broken arm, elbow, and minor shoulder damage. He underwent a small surgery to fix his condition.
Following this incident, doctors recommended Freeman compression gloves that allow his blood to flow seamlessly and not get pooled on his hand. In a 2010 interview with People, Freeman confessed that despite undergoing surgery, his left hand has lost mobility. He said, “I suffered nerve damage, and it hasn’t gotten better. I can’t move it” (via New York Post).