Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Jim Abbott's passion for officiating has spanned more than three decades and several sports. He says football is his love and joy.
"That's my bread and butter, working with another crew of guys, pulling the rope together all the same way," said Abbott.
He was on the field at Withrow High School on Aug. 14 working as the umpire, positioned behind the defensive line. Abbott remembers vividly as the running back went through the guard and tackle and headed in his direction.
"I believe it was a cornerback who came to try and make a tackle, missed him, but he didn't miss me, and then a linebacker came from the near side and got part of the runner and got me," said Abbott.
Abbott hit the ground and knew right away he was hurt. He was taken to UC Medical Center.
He says both his knees had been replaced in 2017 and explained what happened when he took the hit to his leg.
"The force turned the right knee, the artificial knee, almost into, like, a weapon. It shredded anything and everything inside my leg, and I was a mess," said Abbott.
He says he was pretty much out of it from that Friday night into Sunday morning, when he woke up, not initially realizing his right leg had been amputated above the knee.
"And the first thing, I looked at my sister and my wife, and I said, 'Becky, did they save the leg?' And she said, 'No,'" said Abbott. "At some point, I guess it was the leg or me."
He has remained in good spirits.
"It was football; people get run into," Abbott said. "One of my biggest concerns, the players that were involved, I hope they don't feel guilty about this. It was football."
His hope is to eventually get back to enjoying Ohio State football games from the stands and high school football games from the field.
"I'm going to attack, the rehab with every bit of energy that I have, everything in my life. My plan is to work varsity football again with this crew, if they'll have me."
Plenty of people are rallying around Abbott as he continues his recovery, and that includes the Ohio Valley Football Officials Association, which put up this post on social media.
Abbott says he's currently waiting for a room to become available at a rehab facility outside of the hospital.
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Jim Abbott's passion for officiating has spanned more than three decades and several sports. He says football is his love and joy.
"That's my bread and butter, working with another crew of guys, pulling the rope together all the same way," said Abbott.
He was on the field at Withrow High School on Aug. 14 working as the umpire, positioned behind the defensive line. Abbott remembers vividly as the running back went through the guard and tackle and headed in his direction.
"I believe it was a cornerback who came to try and make a tackle, missed him, but he didn't miss me, and then a linebacker came from the near side and got part of the runner and got me," said Abbott.
Abbott hit the ground and knew right away he was hurt. He was taken to UC Medical Center.
He says both his knees had been replaced in 2017 and explained what happened when he took the hit to his leg.
"The force turned the right knee, the artificial knee, almost into, like, a weapon. It shredded anything and everything inside my leg, and I was a mess," said Abbott.
He says he was pretty much out of it from that Friday night into Sunday morning, when he woke up, not initially realizing his right leg had been amputated above the knee.
"And the first thing, I looked at my sister and my wife, and I said, 'Becky, did they save the leg?' And she said, 'No,'" said Abbott. "At some point, I guess it was the leg or me."
He has remained in good spirits.
"It was football; people get run into," Abbott said. "One of my biggest concerns, the players that were involved, I hope they don't feel guilty about this. It was football."
His hope is to eventually get back to enjoying Ohio State football games from the stands and high school football games from the field.
"I'm going to attack, the rehab with every bit of energy that I have, everything in my life. My plan is to work varsity football again with this crew, if they'll have me."
Plenty of people are rallying around Abbott as he continues his recovery, and that includes the Ohio Valley Football Officials Association, which put up this post on social media.
Abbott says he's currently waiting for a room to become available at a rehab facility outside of the hospital.
_______________
Stay up to date with our social media:
WKRC on Facebook: facebook.com/WKRCTV
WKRC on Twitter: twitter.com/Local12
WKRC on Instagram: instagram.com/local12wkrc/?hl=en
WKRC on TikTok: tiktok.com/@local12wkrc?lang=en
Subscribe to WKRC on YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UC673WfesrYoCgG9VsekGlEQ/?sub_confirmation=1
For more information, visit local12.com
Download the WKRC News app: local12.com/station/news-app
Download the WKRC Weather app: local12.com/weather/weather-app
Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:
Email us: local12@local12.com
Call the Newsroom: 513.421.6872
WKRC is an OH based station and a CBS Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today.
#WKRC #LOCAL12 #cincinnati #news #cincinnatinews
This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information contact us at contentsales@sbgtv.com
