Washington Post: Former Hoosier Antwaan Randle El regrets ever playing football

[BleedGopher]

per the Washington Post:

Antwaan Randle El is perhaps best remembered for his 43-yard touchdown pass in Super Bowl XL that aided a Pittsburgh win over Seattle, but a decade later, the physical and mental drawbacks have been so significant that he regrets ever playing in the NFL.

“If I could go back, I wouldn’t” play football, he told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in a Steelers-themed project posted Tuesday. “I would play baseball. I got drafted by the Cubs in the 14th round, but I didn’t play baseball because of my parents. They made me go to school. Don’t get me wrong, I love the game of football. But right now, I could still be playing baseball.”

Randle El, who played in Washington from 2006 to 2009 between two stints in Pittsburgh, said he regularly experiences trouble walking down stairs — “I have to come down sideways sometimes, depending on the day” — and has serious memory lapses.

“I ask my wife things over and over again, and she’s like, ‘I just told you that,’ ” Randle El told the Post-Gazette. “I’ll ask her three times the night before and get up in the morning and forget. Stuff like that. I try to chalk it up as I’m busy, I’m doing a lot, but I have to be on my knees praying about it, asking God to allow me to not have these issues and live a long life. I want to see my kids raised up. I want to see my grandkids.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...waan-randle-el-regrets-ever-playing-football/

Go Gophers!!

 

[Governor Sibley]

I wish he would've taken off one Saturday too.

 

[CWCWCW]

per the Washington Post:

Antwaan Randle El is perhaps best remembered for his 43-yard touchdown pass in Super Bowl XL that aided a Pittsburgh win over Seattle, but a decade later, the physical and mental drawbacks have been so significant that he regrets ever playing in the NFL.

“If I could go back, I wouldn’t” play football, he told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in a Steelers-themed project posted Tuesday. “I would play baseball. I got drafted by the Cubs in the 14th round, but I didn’t play baseball because of my parents. They made me go to school. Don’t get me wrong, I love the game of football. But right now, I could still be playing baseball.”

Randle El, who played in Washington from 2006 to 2009 between two stints in Pittsburgh, said he regularly experiences trouble walking down stairs — “I have to come down sideways sometimes, depending on the day” — and has serious memory lapses.

“I ask my wife things over and over again, and she’s like, ‘I just told you that,’ ” Randle El told the Post-Gazette. “I’ll ask her three times the night before and get up in the morning and forget. Stuff like that. I try to chalk it up as I’m busy, I’m doing a lot, but I have to be on my knees praying about it, asking God to allow me to not have these issues and live a long life. I want to see my kids raised up. I want to see my grandkids.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...waan-randle-el-regrets-ever-playing-football/

Go Gophers!!

This stinks. I thoroughly enjoyed watching him play football for Indiana. He seemed to single handedly beat the Gophers and did it with so much pizzazz.
The more stories I hear like this makes me wonder what this game will be like in 20 years.

 

[Word]

This stinks. I thoroughly enjoyed watching him play football for Indiana. He seemed to single handedly beat the Gophers and did it with so much pizzazz.
The more stories I hear like this makes me wonder what this game will be like in 20 years.

Hopefully the game as we know it isn't ending. I think the same could be said for hockey, but the momentum there doesn't seem to be quite as strong.

 

[oleboy41]

This stinks. I thoroughly enjoyed watching him play football for Indiana. He seemed to single handedly beat the Gophers and did it with so much pizzazz.
The more stories I hear like this makes me wonder what this game will be like in 20 years.

I think it'll be a lot better. Guys today get hit in the head and they're kept out. There's 100% more awareness and caution to head issues from players, coaches and trainers on all levels. Not only that but hits with and to the helmet are being removed from the game as well

 

[MNVCGUY]

I think it'll be a lot better. Guys today get hit in the head and they're kept out. There's 100% more awareness and caution to head issues from players, coaches and trainers on all levels. Not only that but hits with and to the helmet are being removed from the game as well

I think on one level that is true, on the flip side though the players themselves keep on getting bigger, faster, and stronger so the collisions taking place are that much more forceful. It will be interesting to see how the higher risk sports in terms of brain injury evolve (not just football). It is sad when you hear about some of the things these guys are dealing with in terms of memory loss and what not. Ben Utecht is a prime local example.

 

[bottlebass]

I think a change in the type of helmet will go a long way. I saw a news story about it just the other day. Helmets for the last how many years have been designed to keep the skull from fracturing but not to protect what's inside the skull. Think of your head like an egg the skull is the shell and the yolk is your brain. Even if you prevent the shell from breaking there can be damage to the yolk. Helmets need to be redesigned to protect both the shell and the yolk.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

That's terribly sad.

 

[balds]

I think a change in the type of helmet will go a long way. I saw a news story about it just the other day. Helmets for the last how many years have been designed to keep the skull from fracturing but not to protect what's inside the skull. Think of your head like an egg the skull is the shell and the yolk is your brain. Even if you prevent the shell from breaking there can be damage to the yolk. Helmets need to be redesigned to protect both the shell and the yolk.

The "yolk" is moving at a high rate of speed and than suddenly and unnaturally stops, akin to getting in a car accident while not wearing a seat belt. I'm not sure there is any fix to that stubborn rule of physics, and the result it is having on the brains of football players.

 

[bottlebass]

The "yolk" is moving at a high rate of speed and than suddenly and unnaturally stops, akin to getting in a car accident while not wearing a seat belt. I'm not sure there is any fix to that stubborn rule of physics, and the result it is having on the brains of football players.

The news story I saw a company had designed a helmet to help protect the "yolk". Whether it worked or not I don't know, but they had been running scientific tests for a year on it. If it can prevent some minor concussions and lessen more severe ones it would be a great step in the right direction.

 

[oleboy41]

I think on one level that is true, on the flip side though the players themselves keep on getting bigger, faster, and stronger so the collisions taking place are that much more forceful. It will be interesting to see how the higher risk sports in terms of brain injury evolve (not just football). It is sad when you hear about some of the things these guys are dealing with in terms of memory loss and what not. Ben Utecht is a prime local example.

Are they really though? With the move to a more pass happy game you see less big boys on the field on both sides. There's far less pure smashmouth football, fewer 250lb fullbacks iso blocking 245lb LBs. Now you see more 3 and 4 WR sets and more 5 and 6 DB formations. LBs can no longer be huge, downhill guys, they have to be able to run and cover in space. Not only that but the big hit is being legislated out of the game. On top of that RBs aren't getting 30 carries a game anymore, WRs can't be lit up on crossing routes and even QBs aren't taking shots like they used to.

 

[Meyerchiro34]

Are they really though? With the move to a more pass happy game you see less big boys on the field on both sides. There's far less pure smashmouth football, fewer 250lb fullbacks iso blocking 245lb LBs. Now you see more 3 and 4 WR sets and more 5 and 6 DB formations. LBs can no longer be huge, downhill guys, they have to be able to run and cover in space. Not only that but the big hit is being legislated out of the game. On top of that RBs aren't getting 30 carries a game anymore, WRs can't be lit up on crossing routes and even QBs aren't taking shots like they used to.

You have to slow down the players. The equipment used today is lighter and less bulky. Just adding to to the speed of the game. Make them use full pads like they did even 15 years ago. Not that it would help much but speed is whats hurting these guys on the big hits.

 

[GoldenRodents]

And get psychopath headhunters like Burfict out of the game.

 

[highwayman]

The "yolk" is moving at a high rate of speed and than suddenly and unnaturally stops, akin to getting in a car accident while not wearing a seat belt. I'm not sure there is any fix to that stubborn rule of physics, and the result it is having on the brains of football players.

...and unfortunately it's nearly all structural and genetic. Some people have a thicker layer of fluid and are immune or almost impervious to concussion. Short of genetic testing or counseling, there may never been an answer. Don't even want to get into the Nazi-like implications of banning some people from contact sports because of their genetic predisposition.

Ugh. Tough stuff.

 

[killme]

Advancing helmet technology led to this. Guys wouldn't be launching (targeting) if they had just a leather pad.

 

[Spoofin]

Cue the "it isn't proven to cause these issues, the science is still inconclusive, etc." crowd.

 

[hungan1]

Now we can understand why Robert Smith walk away from potentially earning $20mil playing for the Vikings about fifteen years ago. I was stunned when he did that.

http://www.news-herald.com/article/HR/20110204/NEWS/302049935

Robert Smith on Chris Borland's early retirement from the pro game, etc...:

http://mmqb.si.com/2015/03/19/nfl-robert-smith-chris-borland-early-retirement

 

[Some Day...Is Coming!]

Not only that but hits with and to the helmet are being removed from the game as well

Could be doing a way better job of this! Astounding how bad football has been in this dept. Ala hit on Leidner, Cochran hit on MI QB 2 yrs ago. Shazier hit in Steeler Bengal game. Etc etc. if u want to eliminate it, eject for it consistently. It's literally elementary.


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[alchemy2u]

Helmets don't give concussions, people give concussions.... So we should ban all studies on how to make helmets safer.

Still sounds silly....


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[MNfootballfan]

Are they really though? With the move to a more pass happy game you see less big boys on the field on both sides. There's far less pure smashmouth football, fewer 250lb fullbacks iso blocking 245lb LBs. Now you see more 3 and 4 WR sets and more 5 and 6 DB formations. LBs can no longer be huge, downhill guys, they have to be able to run and cover in space. Not only that but the big hit is being legislated out of the game. On top of that RBs aren't getting 30 carries a game anymore, WRs can't be lit up on crossing routes and even QBs aren't taking shots like they used to.

Instead of 250lb fullbacks running 5 yards and hitting a 245lb LB we have 200 pound WR's running 4.5 40s for 20 yards getting hit by a 220 pound safety who is also running a 4.5 and we have defensive ends who run as fast as running backs but they weigh 270 pounds. In my opinion that is the reason why football is dangerous, the players like Clowney, Everson Griffin, Harrison Smith, etc. They are just too fast, strong, etc. There is no equipment that can protect you when a player like Everson Griffin is on your kick coverage team.

 

[Sportsfan24]

Some of this is real, some of it is complete BS, as in former players who missed out on the big money sticking their hands out. Some of it is misguided. Our current diets promote inflammation which leads to joint pain and a host of other issues.


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[Ron Johnson Super Fan]

The news story I saw a company had designed a helmet to help protect the "yolk". Whether it worked or not I don't know, but they had been running scientific tests for a year on it. If it can prevent some minor concussions and lessen more severe ones it would be a great step in the right direction.

I'd be interested in seeing if someone can make an improvement but I'm skeptical. The problem, as someone noted earlier, is that the issues come from the brain moving around inside the skull. There isn't a helmet that can prevent the brain from moving in your head when your head comes to a sudden stop.

I read a while back that someone was working on some sort of supplement that they were hoping would increase the amount of fluid that you have protecting your brain, thus leaving less room for you brain to smash into your skull. I'm not scientifically inclined enough to know if thats even possible or if its crazy talk but I thought it was interesting.

 

[wait!what?]

Some of this is real, some of it is complete BS, as in former players who missed out on the big money sticking their hands out. Some of it is misguided. Our current diets promote inflammation which leads to joint pain and a host of other issues.


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not to mention the other stuff NFL players have been known to abuse.

 

[Maroon&GoldLivesMatter]

Not only that but hits with and to the helmet are being removed from the game as well

They can only remove the intentional ones. Many hits to/with the helmet are unintentional - aka that's how o-lineman get concussed. And tackles made by the DBs will sometimes involve accidental helmet contact.

There is no way to make the game safer and have it still resemble itself. It'll be gone in 20 years. Watch, the first step is non-football states (aka, not the south) will start to ban it at the under high school level, etc. and it'll catch on like that.

 

[Maroon&GoldLivesMatter]

Are they really though? With the move to a more pass happy game you see less big boys on the field on both sides. There's far less pure smashmouth football, fewer 250lb fullbacks iso blocking 245lb LBs. Now you see more 3 and 4 WR sets and more 5 and 6 DB formations. LBs can no longer be huge, downhill guys, they have to be able to run and cover in space. Not only that but the big hit is being legislated out of the game. On top of that RBs aren't getting 30 carries a game anymore, WRs can't be lit up on crossing routes and even QBs aren't taking shots like they used to.

LESS big boys? How many Calvin Johnson sized WRs do you recall from the '80s and '90s??? I admit the modern day version of "the fridge" is going away at DT, but the RBs, WRs, TEs, and DBs are all enormous compared to yester-year.

 

[DLguy]

For every Calvin Johnson, there are 10 Stephon Diggs. Calvin Johnson is not the rule, but the exception. I can't name another player similar to him.

 

[Gopherguy0723]

It's not about concussions. It's about the hundreds and thousands of subconcussive hits that players take every day at practice and throughout the week and season. Every time two lineman collide their brains are jarred. Their brains are damaged every time they do this. Collide tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of times throughout your career spanning junior high through pros and you'll understand why football can never be safe or fixed with better helmets. This is why players who don't go pro have brain damage.

Football is in trouble.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

Cue the "it isn't proven to cause these issues, the science is still inconclusive, etc." crowd.

Well, it isn't, so...

Anecdotal stories, biased studies. Unfortunately, the burden of proof is high in the science world. This is not as cut and dried as the media and lawyers would like you to think. Can you tell me the incident rates in youth, college, NFL players? Can the symptoms be explained by other conditions?

There may indeed be a strong link. The question then is how many concussions are too much? One? Is adequate rest between injuries neuroprotective? In the past players kept playing. That no longer happens. Is adequate rest, say 3-4 weeks or months adequate?

Degree of risk is important to establish. Radiation, toxins etc all have adequate risk levels established. Perhaps this is true of mild TBI. Maybe every kid that had a concussion or two will have long term problems.

 

[Pompous Elitist]

It's not about concussions. It's about the hundreds and thousands of subconcussive hits that players take every day at practice and throughout the week and season. Every time two lineman collide their brains are jarred. Their brains are damaged every time they do this. Collide tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of times throughout your career spanning junior high through pros and you'll understand why football can never be safe or fixed with better helmets. This is why players who don't go pro have brain damage.

Football is in trouble.

We are in the mass hysteria stage.

 

[GoldenUMNGopher]

For every Calvin Johnson, there are 10 Stephon Diggs. Calvin Johnson is not the rule, but the exception. I can't name another player similar to him.

Brandon Marshall, Julio Jones, Vicente Jackson, Mike Evans, Kelvin Benjamin, Alshon Jeffery, Andre Johnson are a few. Plenty come out each year. Calvin is not exception anymore.

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