Aug 31 2008
To Play or Not To Play That Is The Question???
Shawn Merriman this week decided against the advice of four doctors about his ripped up knee and has made the decision to play. In football we always give the glory to the guy that plays through pain. Seriously, is there anyone more beloved or looked upon as a tough guy than Ronnie Lott who actually got a finger removed during a game so he could play.
We all understand the tough guy image of athletes and especially football fans. We as fans expect players especially football players to play through injuries that would have us out of work for 6 months. Not only is it the pressure from the fans but the pressure of their peers as well. Players have been run out of the league because they weren’t thought to be tough enough. So for players it is much better to be thought of as a warrior. This all leads to the thinking behind Merriman’s decision to play. If San Diego wasn’t a Super Bowl contender would he be playing? Plus as an established star he doesn’t need to play to make sure he has a job. He isn’t an undrafted free agent who might have to ignore his injury because that could lead to him being cut.
Merriman is taking a risk because he is coming up on his contract year. What is behind his decision to play? Does he worry that not playing will cost him money on his contract? It would seem that further injuring the knee or going down at some point during the season would cost him money. Would a team prefer to sign a player coming off of surgery before the season that would be ready for training camp or a player that goes down midway through the season and won’t be ready for the 2009 season?
Where is the organization on this in allowing this Man to play. The league put in a concussion rule a couple of years ago because they knew they had to protect the players. Players are always going to try to play through pain or take whatever drugs necessary to get on the field. In this situation where is the team in allowing a player to go against four doctor recommendations to play.
I’m even calling on the Commissioner to step in here. I know the Player’s Association is dealing with Gene Upshaw’s death and they always side with the player’s no matter what. But they need to step in here as well and reach out to Merriman. Not only is he putting his career on the line, but the rest of his life. This kind of knee injury could lead to a lifetime of knee issues and make simple things like walking a huge problem.
Losing a finger makes Ronnie Lott a legend. Losing a knee would make Shawn Merriman a tragedy, and one that could be prevented…
