Ravens' McGahee and helmet to helmet contact...when will the NFL learn?
Baltimore Ravens McGahee Injury
Please tell me that I didn't see what I saw. The NFL front office stresses it. All the players know better...BUT.
The NFL is a brutal, hard hitting and physical place of employment. The NFL is not for the meek of heart. 65% of players leave the league for good with serious injuries. One serious concussion is diagnosed for every 2 games. Many players have more surgeries performed on their bodies than number of years in the league. Post-concussion depression and dementia are slowly being recognized and researched (though the wives, families and caregivers have known this for many painful years).
While I watched Baltimore Ravens' RB Willis McGahee lie motionless on the frozen turf after suffering a vicious helmet to helmet blow delivered by Steelers' DB Ryan Clark, my heart sank. Not again.
I watched McGahee have his face mask removed, head/neck stabilized and be strapped to a back board for transportation. As a spine surgeon, I've seen this play out countless times in the emergency room. Though actually watching the collision never gets any easier.
Maybe it's because unlike many players and league officials, I truly know and respect how tragically and many times permanently this story can end.
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