Paddle to the Face Leaves MLP Player Bloodied

Watching many of the best soccer players on the planet flop around the field at the slightest whiff of contact on the world's biggest stage, you might be led to believe that professional athletes aren't tough. That they don't embrace a little pain. That shedding a bit of blood is reserved for tougher endeavors like hockey, football, or MMA.

Enter: Jay Devilliers.

In an MLP matchup yesterday between his team, the Atlanta Bouncers, and the LA Mad Drops, Jay found himself on the business end of parter Jessie Irvine's paddle.

It didn't end well for Jay.

Jay suffered a cut above his eye that poured an impressive waterfall of blood down his face and off his chin. Honestly, it probably looked a lot worse than it actually was. But it certainly made for a dramatic image in the moment.

It was, of course, a total fluke, freak accident. Jessie, by the look on her face, felt horrible.

But Jay bounced right back. And he and Jessie went on to beat Ben Johns and Jade Kawamoto in the first critical mixed doubles game. The match ended up going to a Dreambreaker where LA eked out the win, 21-17.

As for which sport is tougher, tennis or pickleball? We'll leave that debate to the pros.

But Jay certainly seems to be onto something...

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Feature image via Jay Devilliers on X.