John Tomac Reflects on the Hardest Moment as a Father: Watching Eli’s 2015 Injury

John Tomac Reflects on the Hardest Moment as a Father: Watching Eli’s 2015 Injury

In the world of motocross, John Tomac is a living legend, not only for his incredible career but also for being the father of one of the sport’s modern icons, Eli Tomac. But even for someone as experienced and tough as John, there are moments that have tested him deeply, not as an athlete, but as a father.

In 2015, Eli Tomac suffered one of the most severe injuries of his career during the Thunder Valley National in Colorado. A crash left him with two completely dislocated shoulders and multiple fractures, forcing him into an early season exit and requiring extensive recovery. While the physical pain was unbearable for Eli, it was his father who faced an unexpected emotional battle.

John Tomac recently reflected on that dark time, revealing that watching his son in so much pain was the hardest part of being a father. Known for his stoic demeanor, John admitted that, as Eli writhed in agony, he could no longer contain his emotions. “I remember being by his side, and as much as I wanted to hold it together for him, I just couldn’t. Seeing him in that state, it broke me,” John shared. “I cried. I couldn’t hold myself back from it. It was gut-wrenching to see him hurt like that, knowing there was nothing I could do to ease his pain.”

As a father, John had to walk the fine line of offering emotional support while being the steady force Eli needed in his recovery. His reflection shows a side of John that the public rarely sees—a man deeply connected to his son, vulnerable in the face of watching his child suffer.

Yet, the experience also strengthened their bond. John stood by Eli every step of the way during his recovery, witnessing firsthand the incredible resilience his son would come to embody. Despite doubts and fears, Eli not only returned to racing but did so with even greater tenacity, proving that both the pain and the love of a father can be powerful driving forces in overcoming adversity.

For John Tomac, that period in 2015 remains a poignant memory of what it truly means to be a father in the midst of unimaginable hardship.