December 23, 2002 Hello! Injuries are a major issue in the world
of football. Whether it is the "career ending" concussion
suffered by a promising high school student, or the injuries that
affect the daily lives of those who play (or have played) the sport
professionally, it seems to make the news. Many of the most recent
injuries to the professional players can be found at: Some examples updated this past weekend
include minor injuries: "Kwamie Lassiter: Dislocated finger...He's
expected to miss just a day or two of practice....Freddie Jones: Bruised
back...He should also miss just a day or two of practice." As
well as injuries that are more serious: "Chandler suffered his
fifth concussion in the last six seasons and is likely done for the
year....Bulger may have a herniated disk between the shoulder blades
as the result of a brutal first-quarter sack just four plays into
the game." The story that typically makes the evening
news is how this will affect the team. Occasionally, mention is made
of how this will affect the professional future of the player. Rarely,
mention is made of how these injuries will affect the health of the
players beyond their professional careers. The health of the player
is not news; how the health of the player affects the team is news.
"Many former players are left questioning
just how fortunate they were to have played the sport that once made
them so competitive on the playing field, not to mention famous in
millions of households across America. The career of an athlete can
range anywhere from one to fifteen or even twenty years in some cases,
but regardless of how long an athlete has played their sport, there
are likely to be scars reminding them of the price they paid for fame.
Many of these individuals have aged physically and mentally well beyond
what is expected for an individual at mid-life. As many of these retired
players move into their later years, they are faced with dementia,
severe arthritis, and nutritional/ dietary problems that change their
lives forever." We see few of these players after the completion of their careers. Boys who want to grow-up and be professional football players do not see the futures that these players sacrificed for their time in the spotlight with the big paychecks. Football is not the only profession where people sacrifice their health to make a living, but those in other potentially dangerous (non-sports-related) professions do not usually make the front page. When the risks are not overshadowed by the fame and glory, it can be more difficult to mentally push them aside. Questions of the Week: Please email me with any ideas or suggestions. I look forward to reading what you have to say. Cindy |
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