Alexi Giannoulias hobbles into the DNC

What they're saying: "I shattered my knee thinking that I'm younger than I am," Giannoulias told Axios.

• "I tried to jump onto a fast-moving treadmill, and I got tossed like a rag doll. My kneecap ended up in my quad."

Zoom out: Giannoulias, 48, was elected secretary of state in 2022. The young Illinois Democrat famously played basketball with former President Barack Obama.

Yes, but: He won't be playing basketball anytime soon.

• "Now everything takes quadruple the time," Giannoulias told Axios.

The bottom line: Giannoulias won't have to worry about the stairs leading to the United Center stage. He confirmed he is not speaking at the convention.