Rails from the Rails 18 – Are you hurt or are you injured?

Rails from the Rails 18 – Are you hurt or are you injured? (as seen here)

All Aboard: “Are you hurt or are you injured? Because if you are hurt, you can still play. But if you are injured, you can’t.” – Larry Haylor, retired UWO football coach

Tickets Please: With the rash of injuries to marquee players that the CFL has been confronted with I decided I would share some thoughts I had about this unfortunate aspect of the game.

Along with many not-so-serious injuries, I have had several serious ones. My most serious injury occurred in my third year of professional football. I was playing for the Ticats at the time. In the 8^th game of the season I suffered multiple fractures in my lower leg. The tibia and fibula both “broke” with the tibia being a compound fracture: this means the bone broke through the skin. Another serious injury I experienced was a herniated disc resulting in back surgery. This was way back in 1992. And lastly, I re-injured my left lower leg in 1999 while with the Argos. I broke my fibula, again, and it was displaced and required surgery. Those are the big ones and now that they are out on the table let me address my first thought on injuries: they are part of the game!

I once had a friend ask me if I had ever wondered why a serious injury had happened to me. I think he was looking for a metaphysical explanation such as bad luck, karma, or the like. I had his full attention when I told him I knew why it happened. I told him it was because I was employed in a high risk job and that playing a violent sport such as football exposed me to such injuries. They are part of the game. If I worked at a desk all day I probably would not have a metal plate in my leg. He was less than satisfied with my answer but I think it reflects the approach most football players take when it comes getting hurt. I have heard very few players lament “Why me?”

The second thought I had about injuries and football was the relatively common disregard players have for the issue. Most guys I have played are not preoccupied with actual injuries or the chance an injury might befall them. I think if a player was overly concerned with the harm that might come his way he would not be able to focus on the game. Players certainly take precautions such as taping their ankles or bracing their knees. But when the game starts it is not something that footballers dwell on.

My final notion about injuries pertains to recovery and rehabilitation. One of a footballer’s finest moments comes when he battles back from an injury to play again. I have seen many inspirational comebacks by players who have shown their mettle by persevering through rehab to play again. I would not wish an injury on anyone, but they are character builders as well as life lessons. At least they have been for me.

Let’s all hope for the safety of CFLers this season while at the same time understanding that injuries are part of the game. At least that is my position.

Last Stop: One injury in particular causes alarm for us players: a serious neck injury. I, along with the rest of the people who love this game, was very relieved to see Jason Tucker of the Edmonton Eskimos smiling at Edmonton’s game this week. I wish him all the best as he continues to recover.