[John Mackey] wears a ring from Super Bowl V and another from the NFL Hall of Fame.
But all he can say about his career is: 'Yeah, man, go deep.'
He repeats it, over and over again. The great charm and sharp mind is now hidden somewhere in the netherworld of his collision-induced illness.
For Mackey suffers from fronto-temporal dementia.
There is no cure for he best tight end ever to play the game.
The symptoms will worsen - meaning less and less cognitive ability - and eventually full-time care will be needed.
The cause is a decade in professional football with too many blows to the head, too many concussions at a time when too little was known about the cumulative effects."
A MailOnline.com story by Simon Milham, detailing the illness former Colts great John Mackey is suffering through. With recent news of the NFL enforcing stricter concussion guidelines, this article is a must read for all fans. Current Colts tight end Dallas Clark recently passed Mackey as the Colts all-time leader in receptions by a tight end, and Clark is quoted discussing Mackey in the article.
about 2 years ago
Brad Wells
8 comments
0 recs |
Email
PrintComments
Sad story........
Made sadder by the fact they spelled his name Mackie in the story. Is proof reading a lost art? Jeez.
Very serious problem
FINALLY getting some attention. Guys like Clark who have been popped a couple of times, they’re gonna have to hang it up sooner. Real shame, but you can’t rub dirt on your brain.
All pro football players need to realize how seriously concussions are
Nearly all former players probably wake up every morning with back and knee problems, but that’s nothing compared to waking up every morning with a headache or not remembering who your family is.
Peyton Manning makes it Wayne on them hoes!!!!
Not a surprise
The helmet to helmet contact in football is simply crazy. I’ve seen Aussie rules football and played rugby but none of the former players go senile after they hang their boots up. Even though all of them are rough games, the very nature of allowable contact is what makes them different. You can be ejected from the game in rugby if you use a “shoulder charge” or for a head shot.
I’m not advocating more “brady rules” but the question is why did it take the NFL so much time (studies on concussions have been published since the early 80s) to modify the rules. Maybe its the “meat market” mentality of the business.
"Winning is not everything;the desire to win is" - Vince Lombardi
"Lomu's the Brent Spar with attitude. A figure who inspires hero worship among even those who think a fly-half is a glass of beer consumed when 'er indoors is looking the other way." - Robert Philip Daily
Very sad story.
I wish the NFLPA would do more to help the guys who literally put their bodies and minds on the line for this game. With the amount of money these guys get today, they need to take care of the guys who paved the road.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
Agreed.
But part of the problem is changing the culture – see Hines Ward publicly criticizing Roethlisberger for sitting last week.
I was surprised he did that.
But I was more surprised that Ditka wasn’t more vocal about the issue since he’s been involved with trying to get these guys some sort of benefits.
I also noticed that the Philly locker room was a little more media savvy yesterday. They were almost sympathetic. Baby steps, I suppose.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Dec 3, 2009 5:38 PM EST up reply actions
I lost most of my respect for
Hines Ward when he did that.
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: What should you do if a hot dog vendor gives you a free hot dog? Why, throw it on the ground, of course.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
