12/18/24
March 01, 2006
Former Falcons offensive lineman Claridge dies at 27: Another sad story, from unknown causes. What's the deal with USC players?
posted by wingnut4life to football at 11:50 AM - 9 comments
It's not just USC players, not by a long stretch. People are looking into this growing [sic] problem all over the place. Here are two articles talking about linemen and the toll getting that big and going through the hell they have to go through puts such a huge toll on their bodies, in all kinds of ways:
A 1994 study of 7,000 former players by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health found linemen had a 52 percent greater risk of dying from heart disease than the general population. While U.S. life expectancy is 77.6 years, recent studies suggest the average for NFL players is 55, 52 for linemen.
posted by chicobangs at 02:05 PM on March 01, 2006
I agree with chicobangs, when we talk about football players dying, one must remember that the human body is not made to sustain 300+ pounds for a long time without injury or death. However, I think that the deaths of athletes (though not high-profile ones) are often overrated when you think about the fact that there are many people dying each day of the same causes that we hype up when it happens to be an athlete that dies.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 02:54 PM on March 01, 2006
Wrigley South, pick up the phone! "Seven Days..."
posted by wingnut4life at 04:37 PM on March 01, 2006
I'm not sure where to place this, so since this is a sad enough thread as it is I'll put it here. I'll be offline for a bit and rather then have people wonder why I'll just say why. This past month 54 of our troops were killed in Iraq and that's really down from the past several, but I just found out that one of them was the son of one of my best friends. Kinda hard to think about sports right now, but I have made some sorta friends here in the past 6 months or so and I'd just like to ask not to talk about this and let it die here. I'll be back as my old smart assed self soon.
posted by commander cody at 01:49 AM on March 02, 2006
My thoughts and prayers are with your friends' family and you, commander. I'm very sorry for your loss.
posted by wingnut4life at 05:42 AM on March 02, 2006
Hey Cody, I do feel for you. I remember when the balloon went up in Somolia. When the UN was pulling out of Mogadishu my brother (who was a Lance Corporal Marine Infantryman) was put on a ship and sent to Somolia. He was on the ground for a short while at the Mogadishu Airport while the UN loaded up. His unit took and returned fire on a few occaisions. He got home fine. I was more than a little worried and I am torn when the US intervenes in other countries, but we (as the most powerful country in the world) are saddled with the responsibility of being the world's policeman. It isn't fun and sometimes I think it isn't right, but the world's business is our business and I knew all along that Eric joined voluntarily and did whet he felt was right. I wish peace and comfort on you and the family of your friend. Tell them I empathize with their sacrifice and I wish to thank them and him for his service. Chandler
posted by Wrigley South at 11:28 AM on March 02, 2006
I'm very sorry commander cody.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 02:32 PM on March 02, 2006
Thank you all. I'm flying out in the morning. I don't know what else to say? damn. back in a week or so.
posted by commander cody at 12:33 AM on March 03, 2006
USC? What about me? I am the fourth person to teach in this classroom in the last 8 years. 2 have died and one lost her husband (who was in his early 30's) in that time. It makes me paranoid.