September 10, 2003

A story that should be getting more attention: Keith Greer, a football player for the Idaho Vandals in the mighty Sun Belt Conference, is fighting for his life after surgery for a broken tibia and fibula suffered in a game Aug. 31.

posted by rcade to football at 09:43 AM - 8 comments

With all our advanced medical technology, its incredible a leg break can threaten your life.

posted by garfield at 10:13 AM on September 10, 2003

I hope he makes it through.

posted by jasonspaceman at 11:58 AM on September 10, 2003

I also hope he makes a full recovery but I don't understand why rcade thinks this deserves more attention, or even a discussion. What is it, precisely, that we should discuss here?

posted by billsaysthis at 12:42 PM on September 10, 2003

It deserves more attention because it isn't every day that a football player might drop dead from injuries sustained in a game, yet this story doesn't even rate a mention on ESPN's College Football front page.

posted by rcade at 12:53 PM on September 10, 2003

Which is a great discussion point, rcade. If UTexas WR Roy Williams had the same injury, then it would be front page news for sure. Is his life worth any more mention than a player for a lesser programs? Sure, Williams having an injury such as this would have more of an impact on his team, the Big XII, the Heisman Trophy Race, and the Bowl Picture, but when injuries become life threatening, you stop all discussion of the sports aspect and focus more on the personal side of the story, the life that is in danger. Everything else is unimportant when it gets to this point. I wish Greer and his family, friends and teammates all the best.

posted by Ufez Jones at 01:05 PM on September 10, 2003

Thanks for bringing it to our attention, rcade. Never would've known about it otherwise, and it's a good reminder of the dangers of the sport -- complications or no complications.

posted by evixir at 05:36 PM on September 10, 2003

Couldn't seem to find any deetz - Did the hospital screw-up? I know occasionally a severley broken leg can be amputated, but that's a worst case scenario. What the hell happened?

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:49 AM on September 11, 2003

SJSU has a player, Neil Parry, who had his leg injured so badly in a game three years ago that he had it amputated just above the ankle. But the story here, which is getting coverage in the SJ Mercury News, is that he hasn't given up, is practicing with the team, and very possibly will be activated and play in their game on 9/18. If he does play, expect plenty of coverage for this feel good, non-death story.

posted by billsaysthis at 12:58 PM on September 11, 2003

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