Former NFL receiver Antwaan Randle El regrets ever playing football

[DaKCMan AP]

Former NFL receiver Antwaan Randle El regrets ever playing football

Former Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antwaan Randle El is perhaps best remembered for his 43-yard touchdown pass in Super Bowl XL that aided a Pittsburgh win over Seattle, but a decade later, the physical and mental drawbacks have been so significant that he regrets ever playing in the NFL.

“If I could go back, I wouldn’t” play football, he told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in a Steelers-themed project posted Tuesday. “I would play baseball. I got drafted by the Cubs in the 14th round, but I didn’t play baseball because of my parents. They made me go to school. Don’t get me wrong, I love the game of football. But right now, I could still be playing baseball.”

Randle El, who played in Washington from 2006 to 2009 between two stints in Pittsburgh, said he regularly experiences trouble walking down stairs — “I have to come down sideways sometimes, depending on the day” — and has serious memory lapses.

“I ask my wife things over and over again, and she’s like, ‘I just told you that,’ ” Randle El told the Post-Gazette. “I’ll ask her three times the night before and get up in the morning and forget. Stuff like that. I try to chalk it up as I’m busy, I’m doing a lot, but I have to be on my knees praying about it, asking God to allow me to not have these issues and live a long life. I want to see my kids raised up. I want to see my grandkids.”

In 2013, Randle El and three other former players filed a lawsuit against the NFL in a Manhattan federal court alleging the NFL “has done everything in its power to hide the issues and mislead players concerning the risks associated with concussions,” according to The Village Voice. In 2015, after that suit was consolidated with more than 2,000 others, he was one of more than 5,000 players that received more than $900 million in settlement money from the NFL to resolve a concussion lawsuit.

Since retiring in 2010, Randle El helped to found the Virginia Academy, a Christian high school in Ashburn, where he serves as the school’s athletic director. Originally, he was a proponent for the development of a football program at the school, but he has no remorse after it was cut two years in when it became too expensive.

“The kids are getting bigger and faster, so the concussions, the severe spinal cord injuries, are only going to get worse,” he said in the interview. “It’s a tough pill to swallow because I love the game of football. But I tell parents, ‘You can have the right helmet, the perfect pads on, and still end up with a paraplegic kid.’

“There’s no correcting it. There’s no helmet that’s going to correct it. There’s no teaching that’s going to correct it. It just comes down to it’s a physically violent game. Football players are in a car wreck every week.”

Randle El is not naive to the profitability of the sport or the impact it has on society, but with the concussion and life-long injury issues getting more attention than ever before, the nine-year veteran thinks the end may be near.

“Right now, I wouldn’t be surprised if football isn’t around in 20, 25 years.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...ying-football/

[rabblerouser]

Originally Posted by brucey_72

I will never let my son play football, it is not worth it. I love football but regret it.

This is my story which I have told here before, I will make it brief. In High School I thought I was invincible, young and had dreams of playing college ball. I was a pass rusher and ended up getting a few concussions. My doctor told me I need to quit because once you get concussions, they will become frequent even without hard contact,especially if not healed fully. I did not listen and went back out a week later, I then got a concussion during a walk through with little contact. I continued to play.
I then went on to play college rugby, against my family and doctors will. I ended up getting a concussion while playing that resulted in swelling and bleeding of the brain.

Now I am 24, is married with 2 daughters. I now live with body shakes, mini seizures, memory loss, and get to look forward to being in a wheelchair by the time I'm 50, and I lose a lot of body functions including my memory by the time I'm 50, which my doctor says is a certainty unless medical research can find ways to help people like me. Which all could have been avoided by listening to the doctor.

Luckily for me, now I just live life like it is my last day with my family. Because any day could be my last day capable of living a normal life.

Trust me, football is not worth it.

Godspeed.

[rabblerouser]

Originally Posted by underEJ

I frequently question my watching football. I remember big hits like the first hit Greg Wesley ever made in arrowhead that you could probably have heard all the way out on the highway if anyone was still in line for the parking lots. Nasty hit, and we all cheered and laughed. Over time, my appreciation of that type of hit has declined, and by the time Trent Green was laid out on the field by Gaethers, dirty hit argument aside, my already fading enjoyment of big hits dropped cold to zero.

I still enjoy the game and enjoy great plays of skill and athleticism, but I cringe at several hits every game. I am likely not alone in this. Will it make me walk away? I don't know yet, but I think about it, and I would not be considered just a casual fan.

^ all of this.

I actually played football, 6, 7 & 8th grade, because you could play football and be in the school band in 6-8. When I got to 9th grade, I had to choose.

Easy choice - music.

I knew that I would do more playing music than I would throwing a ball.

I had also suffered my first concussion during a game towards the end of my 8th grade year. I didn't like it. Couldn't just shake it off. Bright lights have ****ed with me ever since.

I was a skinny string bean but I was a decent passer who made great decisions and I really like the game. Had a knack for it.

But I was also weary. Everyone was getting bigger and faster by 8th grade...and so were the hits.

I don't remember anything about the game where I was concussed, really at all. I guess I asked someone why I wasn't playing after I got hit. Idk. My cousin said it was vicious and that he couldn't believe I got up at all. So I took that as the sign that I wasn't cut out of the qb cloth.

I sometimes wonder if I missed out on the 'glory days' by not playing any sports in high school. I took a class on coaching and refereeing football in college so I could ref games and stay close to the action, so to speak. I really wanted to coach, but...life is full of those simple twists of fate.

No point, other than...I wouldn't wish a concussion on anyone. Ever.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by brucey_72

I will never let my son play football, it is not worth it. I love football but regret it.

This is my story which I have told here before, I will make it brief. In High School I thought I was invincible, young and had dreams of playing college ball. I was a pass rusher and ended up getting a few concussions. My doctor told me I need to quit because once you get concussions, they will become frequent even without hard contact,especially if not healed fully. I did not listen and went back out a week later, I then got a concussion during a walk through with little contact. I continued to play.
I then went on to play college rugby, against my family and doctors will. I ended up getting a concussion while playing that resulted in swelling and bleeding of the brain.

Now I am 24, is married with 2 daughters. I now live with body shakes, mini seizures, memory loss, and get to look forward to being in a wheelchair by the time I'm 50, and I lose a lot of body functions including my memory by the time I'm 50, which my doctor says is a certainty unless medical research can find ways to help people like me. Which all could have been avoided by listening to the doctor.

Luckily for me, now I just live life like it is my last day with my family. Because any day could be my last day capable of living a normal life.

Trust me, football is not worth it.

With your experience I understand why you wouldn't want your son to play. This is bad deal and I don't mean to be harsh but there was always the option to listen to what people were telling you.

The sport isn't whats to blame here. Failure to listen to the doctor is the issue.

[rabblerouser]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

With your experience I understand why you wouldn't want your son to play. This is bad deal and I don't mean to be harsh but there was always the option to listen to what people were telling you.

The sport isn't whats to blame here. Failure to listen to the doctor is the issue.

Or failure to listen to one's own body. I got one concussion, in 8th grade.

I never played another down of organized football...but I was lucky.


But what he's getting at is that mentality, that 'rrub some dirt on it and get back out there' is at EVERY LEVEL - Jr. High, high school, college, pros. And it becomes a branding, a badge of how 'tough' you are when you play through injuries.

We've only started hearing about this because the NFL got sued and doesn't want to be culpable for any more damages.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by rabblerouser

Or failure to listen to one's own body. I got one concussion, in 8th grade.

I never played another down of organized football...but I was lucky.


But what he's getting at is that mentality, that 'rrub some dirt on it and get back out there' is at EVERY LEVEL - Jr. High, high school, college, pros. And it becomes a branding, a badge of how 'tough' you are when you play through injuries.

We've only started hearing about this because the NFL got sued and doesn't want to be culpable for any more damages.

This is what is changing, not saying it completely has, but it is definitely changing as far as head injuries go.

[Skyy God]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

The $2 billion dollar per year deal with ESPN won't go away because people will just use the app on their mobile device, Blu Ray player, Roku, Fire, etc.

And the major contracts with the networks are OTA's, so those won't go anywhere, ever.

We've already reached peak ESPN, and its decline will put downward pressure on sports TV deals from all networks.

http://deadspin.com/espns-uncertain-...ere-1753901086

[rabblerouser]

Originally Posted by Cave Johnson

We've already reached peak ESPN, and its decline will put downward pressure on sports TV deals from all networks.

http://deadspin.com/espns-uncertain-...ere-1753901086

To be honest, I've quit watching and listening to the talking heads.

I'd rather get my sports info here.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by underEJ

I frequently question my watching football. I remember big hits like the first hit Greg Wesley ever made in arrowhead that you could probably have heard all the way out on the highway if anyone was still in line for the parking lots. Nasty hit, and we all cheered and laughed. Over time, my appreciation of that type of hit has declined, and by the time Trent Green was laid out on the field by Gaethers, dirty hit argument aside, my already fading enjoyment of big hits dropped cold to zero.

I still enjoy the game and enjoy great plays of skill and athleticism, but I cringe at several hits every game. I am likely not alone in this. Will it make me walk away? I don't know yet, but I think about it, and I would not be considered just a casual fan.

Yeah, good post. This is kind of where I'm at.

The athletes are too good these days. They're artificially constructed hitting machines, and the hits are becoming too violent for my liking (unless they're on Broncos).

[brucey_72]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

With your experience I understand why you wouldn't want your son to play. This is bad deal and I don't mean to be harsh but there was always the option to listen to what people were telling you.

The sport isn't whats to blame here. Failure to listen to the doctor is the issue.

I agree, I should have listened to a doctor. I don't blame the sport, I blame myself but the point of the post was to raise awareness that concussions are serious. But honestly try telling a 15 year old kid hey all your dreams of playing football are over. Something that you have been dreaming and preparing your entire life for. At this point back in 2006, concussions were not as big of a deal in the media as they are now.

I never thought the concussions where a huge deal and didn't have any lasting affects until my last one. I only had 3-4 documented concussions.

In all honesty it only takes 1 hit that can change your live. Whether it is your 1st concussion or your 5th.

[Otter]

Originally Posted by brucey_72

I will never let my son play football, it is not worth it. I love football but regret it.

This is my story which I have told here before, I will make it brief. In High School I thought I was invincible, young and had dreams of playing college ball. I was a pass rusher and ended up getting a few concussions. My doctor told me I need to quit because once you get concussions, they will become frequent even without hard contact,especially if not healed fully. I did not listen and went back out a week later, I then got a concussion during a walk through with little contact. I continued to play.
I then went on to play college rugby, against my family and doctors will. I ended up getting a concussion while playing that resulted in swelling and bleeding of the brain.

Now I am 24, is married with 2 daughters. I now live with body shakes, mini seizures, memory loss, and get to look forward to being in a wheelchair by the time I'm 50, and I lose a lot of body functions including my memory by the time I'm 50, which my doctor says is a certainty unless medical research can find ways to help people like me. Which all could have been avoided by listening to the doctor.

Luckily for me, now I just live life like it is my last day with my family. Because any day could be my last day capable of living a normal life.

Trust me, football is not worth it.

That's a pretty brutal story dude and I'm sorry to hear about it and wish you nothing but the best.

I had two concussions in four year of wrestling, one was minor and the other was a real bell ringer. I felt like I was stuck in a dream and couldn't get out of it. It's easy to shrug off because many times they really don't hurt, you're just foggy and don't realize that ball of jelly in your head that controls everything just got blasted.

It didn't mean a difference in the world to me back then either. You were young invulnerable and on a mission

If I had to guess (note: guess) the NFL is so big and powerful it's going to start placing the liability on the player. I doubt it will ever have a shortage of young 20 year old guys willing to put their body at risk for millions of dollars, fame and women throwing themselves at them just because, well their 20 something years old.

A kind of weird analogy but relevant; listen to the Henry Hill interview back in the mob heyday where guys were getting shot, tortured and beaten for money and power. Young guys were in line waiting to take the next guys place. The consequences don't get more apparent than that situation. You're not thinking 20 years down the road at that age. You still think you're 10 foot tall and bullet proof.

[Discuss Thrower]

I'm 100% fine with the "YOU GOT JACKED UP" sideshow going away from football.

[temper11]

Originally Posted by Chief Pagan

I think the outrage is coming. I understand that kids soccer is moving towards not allowing heading until a certain age.

This is true. My girls play competitive soccer at ages 8 and 6 and next year the rule changes that any ball that strikes the head will be considered the same as a hand ball.

[Otter]

Originally Posted by temper11

This is true. My girls play competitive soccer at ages 8 and 6 and next year the rule changes that any ball that strikes the head will be considered the same as a hand ball.

I recently read, can't recall where, that wrecking on water skis over a period of time is a really easy way to get a consecutive series of minor concussions that add up to be just as bad as a couple bad hits.

If you picture your brain and how it sloshes around on impact and how quick and violent a water skiing accident is it doesn't seam that unreasonable.

PS - I'm not doctor

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by Otter

I recently read, can't recall where, that wrecking on water skis over a period of time is a really easy way to get a consecutive series of minor concussions that add up to be just as bad as a couple bad hits.

If you picture your brain and how it sloshes around on impact and how quick and violent a water skiing accident is it doesn't seam that unreasonable.

PS - I'm not doctor

I wonder about karate. At some point isn't it expected that you'll get thrown to the mat in a quick manner?

[Otter]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

I wonder about karate. At some point isn't it expected that you'll get thrown to the mat in a quick manner?

Karate is more of a stand up sport. I'd be more worried about catching a foot to the dome.

Judo, Jiu Jitsu, wrestling I'd think you're more likely to get taken down head first on the mat. Krav Maga is a pretty sick hybrid of all the above.