12/03/24
January 24, 2005
Pittsburgh Steelers legend Mike Webster: was so chronically injured by the sport that he had to taser himself to sleep, according to the first of five stories ESPN is running to mark the two weeks to Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville (assuming anyone is left who wants to watch after they're done).
Remember this next time a football players holds out for more money now. I understand the league's position, but cough up the mil. That's what, 10 seconds of a Super Bowl ad?
posted by yerfatma at 05:24 PM on January 24, 2005
I would even try to remember this when a player retires at the prime of career. Who wants to end like this?
posted by NoMich at 05:27 PM on January 24, 2005
I wonder how unique this is to football and boxing compared to other sports. Ya know, the ones where blows to the head aren't common.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 06:06 PM on January 24, 2005
I was listening to a discussion of Tom Brady's prowess at such a young age this afternoon and this thought crossed my mind -- if he wins again in two weeks, why wouldn't he just retire? Having seen what the NFL does to a guy's body even when he's not playing on the O-line, isn't having your body and your mind worth more than a potential fourth Super Bowl ring?
posted by wfrazerjr at 07:11 PM on January 24, 2005
He's probably still under contract, isn't he? I see your point though. How much more money and fame does he need? Of course, a talented and driven athlete probably doesn't want to hear of such things. More titles are what they are after.
posted by NoMich at 07:23 PM on January 24, 2005
Unless, of course, they are playing for the 'love of the game', which I believe is a valid thing for some of these guys. Brett Favre comes to mind.
posted by gac at 07:44 PM on January 24, 2005
After Troy Aikman had three Super Bowl rings and was getting as many concussions as touchdowns, I never understood what was keeping him in the game. My brother-in-law lived next door in Virginia to the family of a former Redskins player. He said that the guy takes pills every day to deal with a laundry list of physical ailments and that the experience is common among former NFL players.
posted by rcade at 07:46 PM on January 24, 2005
I understand the whole "love of the game" thing, but look at Tom Brady now -- young, handsome and rich. Brady can keep two of those three if he exits the game early. As for Brett Favre, I completely agree, but it's going to be tough for Brett to relive those last glorious days at the helm when he can't close his hands around the phone or can't stand up when his grandkids walk in the door. Hell, just playing high-school football left me with two bad knees and a missing testicle. I can't imagine the damage someone like Teddy Bruschi or Tiki Barber must rack up in season after season of weekly beatdowns.
posted by wfrazerjr at 08:58 PM on January 24, 2005
and a missing testicle um...has wfrazerjr been interviewed yet?
posted by goddam at 10:20 PM on January 24, 2005
NB: Brady isn't actually that rich by NFL standards; I don't recall exact contract terms but he is fairly poorly paid by NFL QB standards- Vick, McNabb, Bledsoe, Culpepper, Favre, and Manning all earn over $10M/year this year, while Brady apparently earns just over $5M/year. [USA Today indicates that in 2003, Brady made 'only' $3.1M, behind 25 other QBs.]
posted by tieguy at 11:41 PM on January 24, 2005
and a missing testicle um...has wfrazerjr been interviewed yet? Yes, but there was no mention of a missing testicle football injury. I demand a recount.
posted by dusted at 11:42 PM on January 24, 2005
why wouldn't he just retire?I once saw an interview with Lennox Lewis that asked him about the total (and IMO undeserved) disrespect, bordering on contempt he got fromm US fans and commentators for his boxing style. He explained he really didn't care if people thought he was lazy or lacked heart - he aimed to win his fights while taking the least damage possible, so he could retire with faculties more or less intact. Think about the shit and derision heaped upon Lewis compared to the praise for a mediocrity like Holyfield (now a wreck, but hey he's got heart!) or the adulation a fuck-up like Tyson gets. Fact is that in contact sports especially you get adulation for being an idiot, and derision for being smart and having some sense of self preservation.
posted by rodgerd at 01:34 AM on January 25, 2005
At least top athletes have a choice to quit while they're ahead, with tons of money. Farmers and coal-miners get horribly banged up too, but don't have the money to live on when their bodies finally give out.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 08:16 AM on January 25, 2005
I demand a recount. One.
posted by smithers at 08:40 AM on January 25, 2005
Farmers and coal-miners get horribly banged up too, but don't have the money to live on when their bodies finally give out. Worse yet, most logicians don't make enough to travel the world explaining the dangers of false dichotomies.
posted by yerfatma at 09:36 AM on January 25, 2005
Well, I didn't want to recount the story of my tragic loss. I felt it might make me sound ... teste. $3.1M per year is still plenty enough upon which to rest one's laurels, but Brady will never have to worry about finacial security. He'll be handsomely paid to be a guest speaker, sign autographs and accept the offerings of grateful Pats fans. I don't know about anyone else, but after 5-7 years of having my brains whacked in six months a year, I might think about sitting by the pool for a bit.
posted by wfrazerjr at 09:54 AM on January 25, 2005
Isn't Brady still on his rookie deal, which should expire very soon? I bet he'll sign at least sign one pay me what I'm worth deal (EliPeyton Manning, I'm looking at you) to take in some absolute fuck you money before sitting down.
posted by billsaysthis at 02:27 PM on January 25, 2005
billsaysthis: no, he actually renogiated his rookie deal after his first SB MVP to the current level (when he won the first one, he was making $300K.) This deal continues through 2006, I think.
posted by tieguy at 03:15 PM on January 25, 2005
Renegotiated. Dammit.
posted by tieguy at 03:15 PM on January 25, 2005
You know, there is one athlete who is approaching the top in his sport, and whom I think might very well quit once he gets there...or at least, he'll exit gracefully, probably while still at the top. The athlete I'm thinking of is Bode Miller, and for a full explanation of why I think he stands a good chance of making a graceful exit...well, I just gotta get off my dead ass and finish that column I've been talking about for over a month.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 03:59 PM on January 25, 2005
ya you do! 'Winter Revolutions' on OLN isn't enough Bode for me.
posted by garfield at 04:04 PM on January 25, 2005
A grave reminder as to what a brutal game it is. Think of Jim Otto and Darryl Stingley. Maybe Ricky Williams shoudn't be so harshley judged after all. At least he can still walk.
posted by wormburner at 07:49 PM on January 25, 2005
lbb, it comes across like if skiing became as popular as you feel it should be, you'd be hating on that sport too. 
posted by yerfatma at 08:07 PM on January 25, 2005
One time, at ski camp...
posted by dusted at 08:17 PM on January 25, 2005
lbb, it comes across like if skiing became as popular as you feel it should be, you'd be hating on that sport too. Serious non sequitur, yerfatma. WTF????
posted by lil_brown_bat at 08:22 PM on January 25, 2005
Absolutely sad and yet another in the series of athletes used up and tossed in the bin. Wehre were the Steelers, the league or even his fans when his body went south on him?