In NASCAR, Sterling Marlin missed the last seven races of the 2002 season with a fractured vertebra in his neck.

NPR: Hamlin Has Compression Fracture In Lower Back

The 60-year-old Khan fractured a vertebra in his neck and two in his back in the fall, said his doctor, Faisal Sultan.

NPR: Pakistan's Imran Khan Has 3 Fractured Vertebrae

My board exploded into three pieces--one piece jammed into my neck and broke my neck--broke my 16th vertebra.

FORBES: Larry Ellison

But Kennedy landed on his head, damaging the vertebra in his upper neck.

CNN: Wheelchair rugby puts athletes back on the team