2008 Woodie Awards
Danger of NFL play rears its ugly head again
Brian Lapp '08
Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 2 next >
There are so many things to love about the NFL that it is hard to single out just one: a beautifully thrown touch pass down the sideline, a breath-taking run to the end-zone, an acrobatic interception to thwart the opposing team.
Above all, what separates the NFL from the rest of professional sports is the physicality of the game, that raw emotion that makes Sunday afternoons so special. Growing up as a Philadelphia Eagles fan, I have had the pleasure of watching one of the finest defensive players in recent history, Brian Dawkins, perfect his craft as an All-Pro safety. What has made Dawkins such a popular figure in a defense-crazed town like Philadelphia is his ability to deliver the big hit on unsuspecting opponents at the perfect moment, just as the receiver exposes himself across the middle of the field to make the catch.
However, the darker side of the game's physical nature is exposed when the player on the receiving end of such a blow does not get up.
As most people undoubtedly know, Buffalo Bills' reserve tight end Kevin Everett suffered what doctors initially described as a "catastrophic" neck injury during a Week One contest against the Denver Broncos. The collision occurred as he went to make a tackle while covering a kick and lowering his head into the returner's helmet. The seemingly innocuous play rendered Everett motionless on the field, and he had to be taken away on a stretcher. Tragically, the initial prognosis was grim, as doctors feared that Everett would be permanently paralyzed from the neck down. Amazingly, a "miracle" (as called by Everett's mother) occurred and Kevin began voluntarily moving his toes, ankles, and even managed to wiggle three fingers. The road to recovery will surely be daunting, but in this era of modern medicine, nothing should be deemed impossible.
All this brings into light the question of just how violent the NFL is. Seemingly every season the players get bigger, faster, and stronger; the game seems to be getting increasingly violent. The thing one has to focus on is that events like Everett's, which are clearly tragic and horrific, are the exception. Every Sunday there are injuries in the NFL. That is simply a part of the game. Players leave games with sprains, fractures, contusions, tears; you name it, it happens. Part of the formula for a winning season is to be fortunate enough to keep the integral members of your team healthy and on the field every week. A blown-out knee to your franchise QB can end your season or propel you to the playoffs (if you have Jeff Garcia ). Players realize that when they take the field, each snap could be their last for the season. Unfortunately, tragedy occurs in sports, just like in all other walks of life, and it is a sobering reality that must be dealt with.
Above all, what separates the NFL from the rest of professional sports is the physicality of the game, that raw emotion that makes Sunday afternoons so special. Growing up as a Philadelphia Eagles fan, I have had the pleasure of watching one of the finest defensive players in recent history, Brian Dawkins, perfect his craft as an All-Pro safety. What has made Dawkins such a popular figure in a defense-crazed town like Philadelphia is his ability to deliver the big hit on unsuspecting opponents at the perfect moment, just as the receiver exposes himself across the middle of the field to make the catch.
However, the darker side of the game's physical nature is exposed when the player on the receiving end of such a blow does not get up.
As most people undoubtedly know, Buffalo Bills' reserve tight end Kevin Everett suffered what doctors initially described as a "catastrophic" neck injury during a Week One contest against the Denver Broncos. The collision occurred as he went to make a tackle while covering a kick and lowering his head into the returner's helmet. The seemingly innocuous play rendered Everett motionless on the field, and he had to be taken away on a stretcher. Tragically, the initial prognosis was grim, as doctors feared that Everett would be permanently paralyzed from the neck down. Amazingly, a "miracle" (as called by Everett's mother) occurred and Kevin began voluntarily moving his toes, ankles, and even managed to wiggle three fingers. The road to recovery will surely be daunting, but in this era of modern medicine, nothing should be deemed impossible.
All this brings into light the question of just how violent the NFL is. Seemingly every season the players get bigger, faster, and stronger; the game seems to be getting increasingly violent. The thing one has to focus on is that events like Everett's, which are clearly tragic and horrific, are the exception. Every Sunday there are injuries in the NFL. That is simply a part of the game. Players leave games with sprains, fractures, contusions, tears; you name it, it happens. Part of the formula for a winning season is to be fortunate enough to keep the integral members of your team healthy and on the field every week. A blown-out knee to your franchise QB can end your season or propel you to the playoffs (if you have Jeff Garcia ). Players realize that when they take the field, each snap could be their last for the season. Unfortunately, tragedy occurs in sports, just like in all other walks of life, and it is a sobering reality that must be dealt with.
Be the first to comment on this story