1997 NBA Finals, Utah Jazz vs Chicago Bulls, game 5. The series is even at 2 games a piece and Michael Jordan goes absolutely beast while carrying a stomach bug (flu or food poisoning, its still debated). We've all seen the pictures and videos...if you haven't, GTS, but it is probably the most recognizable instance of a professional athlete overcoming illness.
...and then...we have the pink eye game. It was quite clear during the game and has sadly become one of the major talking points after the game, that Landon Donovan was playing with conjunctivitis. Now soccer has always been perceived as a soft option by a lot of American's, mostly because of the whole diving thing...but seriously? Are we really gonna make a big deal out of pink eye? Yes its gross. Yes its highly contagious. But its pink eye. I'd bet there are probably hundreds of cases of pink eye in primary school every single day, its not a big deal.
I do believe we should commend Mr. Donovan for never being caught on camera scratching his eye...but again guys, its just pink eye. Simmer down