Cavaliers' Green opens up about 2012 open-heart surgery

Jeff Green shared the story of his 2012 open-heart surgery in an emotional Players' Tribune essay published Monday.

The veteran forward, who signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason, was diagnosed with a dangerously enlarged aorta while he was a member of the Boston Celtics.

The 30-year-old, who missed more than a full season as a result of the procedure and rehab, explained how the harrowing process affected him both physically and emotionally.

In one day, everything I knew about my body had changed. And all the confidence I had felt about maintaining this body had been completely drained.

Standing in front of the mirror, I started crying. It was hitting me - this is forever.

Fortunately, he was eventually able to find the silver lining.

Before, I hated my scar.

Now I needed it.

I needed to see the scar to remind myself of what I’d been through. And every reaction I got about it only served as another reminder. I couldn’t help but smile. If the scar was still there, it meant I was still alive.

Green explains the elements of his custom Air Jordan XXXI shoes, which commemorate his surgery, in this video:

He donated a pair to the Cleveland Clinic where he underwent his operation.