Here’s Why Paradise’s Sterling K. Brown Was on That Scooter

Sterling K. Brown showed up on the Emmys stage Sunday on a knee scooter as the result of an injury he says he incurred while playing sports.

Brown appeared alongside his Paradise co-stars Julianne Nicholson and James Marsden to present the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor, Comedy to Somebody Somewhere‘s Jeff Hiller.

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Brown tore his Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, “doing something athletic, as I am known to do,” he explained in an Instagram post Tuesday. “Not something super dangerous or anything. I just took a step, and it felt like somebody stomped on the back of my heel.”

He added that he will have to have surgery to repair the tendon. “Going to do it after the Emmys so I can motivate myself to go and try to celebrate with my cast and the producers of Paradise, because we got recognized and it would be nice to be out there and chillin’,” he said.

His popular Hulu drama was nominated in four categories this year: Outstanding Drama, Supporting Actor in a Drama (Marsden), Supporting Actress in a Drama (Nicholson) and Lead Actor in a Drama (Brown). He previously won two Emmys: Lead Actor in a Drama for his performance in This Is Us and Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson.

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In the video, Brown thanked his friends and fans for their concern (“I am pre-receiving all the good vibes and good energy that you are sending my way. Appreciate it.”) and explained that he was making the recording, in part, to coach himself through the rough patch ahead.

“Strength requires friction. Growth requires friction. So this is an opportunity,” he said. “I may have some crests and troughs as I go through it, but I will be stronger on the other side.”

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