Chairman: Brian Urlacher just honest

[truebluefan]

Chicago Bears chairman George McCaskey says Brian Urlacher was simply being honest when he told HBO he would hide concussion symptoms from team doctors.

He also was quick to point out his star linebacker didn't say that was the right thing to do.

McCaskey said it was just an "honest reaction" from someone who, like most players, doesn't want to let down his teammates and coaches.

"There's a warrior mentality, and this is exactly the reason we are here today," he said.

McCaskey was at Bears headquarters addressing high school coaches and players attending a health and safety forum put on by the team and NFL on Wednesday.

Northwestern neurosurgeon Dr. Hunt Batjer, who is also the co-chair of the NFL Head, Neck & Spine Committee, and Dr. Elizabeth Pieroth of the Midwest Center for Concussion Care in suburban Chicago were on hand, as was Bears trainer Chris Hanks and long snapper Patrick Mannelly.

The long-term effects of repeated blows to the head have dominated discussions in the NFL, the NCAA and into high schools, with states passing laws intended to protect young athletes from trauma.

Read more: http://espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/story/_/i...oncussions

[kcareconnections]

I cannot imagine hiding concussion symptoms because this can be such a serious injury. But I think there are probably a lot of players who do so because as said they do not want to feel as if they are letting their team down. Most guys probably just won't say outright that they would not report such symptoms.

[dexterlablab1]

THIS is the kind of thing that makes those concussion lawsuits stupid.

This is a clear example. A player hiding his possible concussion because he KNOWS he will be pulled from the game. Yet, he played on anyway.

So if this player, in this case Brian urlacher, has some sort of injury later on in life as a result of this, are you going to sit here and tell me he has the right to sue?

Ridiculous...

[Silverstar2154]

(03-06-2012 11:35 AM)dexterlablab1 Wrote:  THIS is the kind of thing that makes those concussion lawsuits stupid.

This is a clear example. A player hiding his possible concussion because he KNOWS he will be pulled from the game. Yet, he played on anyway.

So if this player, in this case Brian urlacher, has some sort of injury later on in life as a result of this, are you going to sit here and tell me he has the right to sue?

Ridiculous...

I agree. When guys say stuff like this it does give people pause when they want to cry fowl years later.

Nobody wants these guys to suffer permanent damage. That's why people understand when the NFL gets strict on this but at the same time the public does respect guys who show "toughness" and play through the pain. It's a double edge sword.

[dexterlablab1]

(03-06-2012 12:40 PM)Silverstar2154 Wrote:  

(03-06-2012 11:35 AM)dexterlablab1 Wrote:  THIS is the kind of thing that makes those concussion lawsuits stupid.

This is a clear example. A player hiding his possible concussion because he KNOWS he will be pulled from the game. Yet, he played on anyway.

So if this player, in this case Brian urlacher, has some sort of injury later on in life as a result of this, are you going to sit here and tell me he has the right to sue?

Ridiculous...

I agree. When guys say stuff like this it does give people pause when they want to cry fowl years later.

Nobody wants these guys to suffer permanent damage. That's why people understand when the NFL gets strict on this but at the same time the public does respect guys who show "toughness" and play through the pain. It's a double edge sword.

But then he, as well as every other player has to make a realistic choice. What matters more, your health, or your team?

[iebo]

If you have a concussion, are you able to hide the symptoms? Shouldn't they be obvious? Certainly a team cannot be held responsible if a player deliberately lies about his symptoms though.
A lot of these guys are young and still think they're immortal. They won't really consider the health implications until they are older.

[dexterlablab1]

(03-07-2012 05:17 PM)iebo Wrote:  If you have a concussion, are you able to hide the symptoms? Shouldn't they be obvious? Certainly a team cannot be held responsible if a player deliberately lies about his symptoms though.
A lot of these guys are young and still think they're immortal. They won't really consider the health implications until they are older.

Exactly, and when they're older it's too late for all that. The people suing need to realize that.

The league can't be held responsible for something grown men have control over themselves. If you KNOW you shouldn't be playing because of an ailment, then hide it just so you can keep playing, and ultimately get injured, guess whose fault that is