Running back to what…..!

Noticed last week that when the NFL lockout was lifted many players rushed back to their respective ball clubs to begin working out. Some were so eager to get back they arrived before the team facilities opened and had to wait until the doors were unlocked to get in. I don’t want want to sound like a disgruntled former player but I’ve been there myself having gone through a strike and a lockout, I know what the glee was all about. It was not about the game, it was all about the money! That is what they were running back to. For all who beg to differ, i dont want to burst your bubble but you certainly don’t know professional athletes!

As each player ran back to his team I hoped each would read the poster that should now be in every NFL locker room. Last year the National Football League finally acknowledged that concussions and head trauma sustained in practice and games could lead to serious neurological issues later in life. The League made that acknowledgement by placing posters in locker rooms around the country. While I hope every player is aware of the poster and is now fully informed of the risks of dimentia, alzheimers and ALS later in life from concussions sustained in today’s games it is more warning than John Mackey and countless others like him who were strong willed football players got when they played “back in the day”. Many of those who never got the memo are either now living a life of being cared for by others or have passed away like John Mackey
several weeks ago.

Knowing what I know now, at the end of the day, the gray matter of the brain is much more valuable than a two year 50 million dollar contract that can be rescinded or voided after a player sustains multiple concussions (can you say former Eagle and Giants killer
Brian Westbrook).

There is no “if” but there is a strong “when” players of this generation begin to experience memory loss or lose their personal dignity I hope they can at least remember what they were running back to in 2011 when their lockout ended.

1986 Giants Reunion

86 Team Reunion was in the words of Maurice Carthon “the best weekend of my life!” Bill Belichick called our Reunion Weekend an “unbelievable, awesome experience that all of us will remember for the rest of our lives!” 51 of the 53 players and 8 of the 11 coaches including Parcells and Belichick participated in the event. For many of us it was fun to reassemble as a team once again but it was also an emotional experience that many of us never realized we’d have until we were in the presence of one another and able to express what it meant to be a part of The Team and forever linked to one another!

Continue reading “1986 Giants Reunion”

I’m back…..!

My daughter texted me the other day and said “Dad you really need to update your blog!” She was absolutely right in that while I don’t get many comments on the articles I write, there are quite a few Harry Carson “loyalists” who come here to hear what I have to say.  So for those (you know who you are) I apologize for being away for so long (again). I will do my best to stay up to speed with my thoughts and activities.

From the dating of my last blog entry many things have occupied my time and energy.  Much of my time and energy went into the planning of the Giants 25th Anniversary celebration of the 86 Team’s Super Bowl victory.  I have been accused by some in the past of sometimes being a “control freak”. With this endeavor I plead “guilty” as charge of maintaining control over the venture because I wanted it to be a success. Unfortunately I feel that if you want something done right, do it yourself! That was the case with the endeavor I took on. There are very few things that I feel as passionate about as the people I played with on any level but especially the 86 Team. I planned, organized and worked with the team to make the Reunion Weekend one that will always be remembered by my fellow players, coaches and their spouses. Long story short it was better than even I expected it to be. When it was over some of the players expressed their feelings. One former player said it was “the best weekend of his life!”, one of my coaches said it was an “unbelievable, awesome experience that all of us will remember for the rest of our lives!”  I think all involved would agree that the weekend of being in the presence of one another one more (and perhaps one last) time was something we all needed.

While it was not my goal to garner such compliments, taking control of the situation and making sure it was memorable and everyone was included was my wish. Out of the 53 players on the roster for Super Bowl XXI, 51 players attended and participated and 8 of the 11 coaches were able to attend. The weekend is one of the best things I have ever done and I’m happy that everyone had a great time! If you all knew the time I put into the Reunion you will get a better understanding of where I’ve been and what I was doing. 

Team Photo 25 Years later (courtesy William Hauser)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

86 Captains (courtesy William Hauser)

Dave Duerson – Rest in Peace

The recent death of former Chicago Bears (Giants & Cardinals) safety Dave Duerson is tragic and certainly shocking for his family, Bears teammates and friends. Dave apparently took his own life but before he did he instructed his family to donate his brain to science to study the effects of concussions he sustained as a football player.

Dave was a friend, a peer, a teammate on several Pro Bowl teams, was only 50 years old but apparently suffered in silence from the effects of traumatic brain injuries. Dave was not a disgruntled former player who had an ax to grind with nothing to live for; instead he was a smart and astute businessman who had much to look forward to in life. Dave’s suicide as well as the NFL finally acknowledging the correlation between concussions and ailments like dementia later in life should open the eyes of players on every level of football as well as the parents of young players and spouses of professional football players. We all better start asking the very personal question, is the neurological risks of playing the game worth it?

I am saddened with the death of a friend but I must admit that I am not overly surprised. There have been other former players who have committed suicides and unfortunately I suspect there will be others who will see that as a way to alleviate their internal pain. I was diagnosed with Post-Concussion Syndrome in 1990. I’ve spoken very publicly about my own issues with concussions since about 1995. In doing so many individuals (players and non-players) have reached out to me as a resource fully understanding that I can relate to the issues of Traumatic Brain Injuries and not judge or ignore.

Football players especially professional football players are very proud individuals and are not always open to sharing their issues and pain to just anyone. I just wish Dave had reached out to someone for help, if he had perhaps he might still be here.

Investor’s Business Daily article

Did an interview with Investor’s Business Daily a couple of months ago and it was just published. Thought one or two of you loyal Harry Carson “faithful” fans might want to see what it was all about.

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article/559160/201101071751/Harry-Carsons-Giant-Tackles.aspx