Kentucky Man's Brain Tumor Found After NFL Kicker's Blooper

Mark Toothaker was laughing at one of the most embarrassing moments in NFL history when his life changed forever.

The 59-year-old Kentucky man was watching Monday Night Football last December with his wife Malory when New York Giants kicker Younghoe Koo abruptly aborted a field goal attempt. The play turned into a comedy of errors on national television, and like thousands of viewers, Toothaker found it hilarious.

But his laughter suddenly triggered a violent seizure. Malory, a nurse who works with brain injury patients, immediately called 911.

Paramedics rushed Toothaker to the hospital, where a CT scan revealed shocking news. A tennis ball-sized tumor was growing on the left side of his brain, pushing it six millimeters to the right.

"When you hear the news, 'You've got a brain tumor,' that's what nobody wants to hear," Malory said. Doctors transferred Toothaker to the University of Kentucky hospital for emergency surgery.

The tumor was successfully removed and turned out to be benign. Toothaker was home by the end of the week with no lasting damage.

The Bright Side

Toothaker had experienced zero symptoms before that night. As stallion season manager at Spendthrift Farm, he regularly drives and flies across the country for work.

If that seizure had struck while he was piloting a plane or driving on the highway, the outcome could have been tragic. "I could have had it on a plane, anywhere," Toothaker said. "I didn't kill anybody. I didn't run over a family in my Expedition."

The violent seizure happened at the safest possible moment, with his wife right beside him and help minutes away. "I wholeheartedly believe I was in the right spot at the right time, and he was the trigger for that happening," Toothaker said. "It was a miracle."

He even feels gratitude toward Koo, despite the kicker's embarrassment that night. The Giants released Koo after Week 15 following more missed kicks, but his botched attempt may have saved a life.

"I know it wasn't his best moment, but it was beyond crazy," Toothaker said. "For Malory and I to be belly-laughing at his expense, which I feel terrible about now, but it all worked out in the end."

Toothaker continues working at Spendthrift Farm, where thoroughbred Further Ado will race in Saturday's Kentucky Derby, grateful that a moment of laughter led to a lifesaving discovery.