N/S Johnson says Pats coach ignored LB's concussion (1 Viewer)

[Saint Droopy]

Bill Belichick is off the chain...


NEW YORK -- Former New England Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson said coach Bill Belichick subjected him to hard hits in practice while he was recovering from a concussion -- against the advice of the team's top trainer.

Johnson, who helped the Patriots win three Super Bowl titles before retiring two years ago, told The New York Times that a collision with another player during that 2002 practice led to another concussion. And, after sustaining additional concussions over the next three seasons, he now forgets people's names, misses appointments and suffers from depression and an addiction to amphetamines.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2751614

 

[bleedblk&gld]

I guess LT knew what he was talking about in calling Belichick classless.

 

[blackngold4877]

Ridiculous. If Johnson needed to sit out he could have done so, he decided to practice. Chad Jackson sat out of practice for weeks with his hamstring for example, Belichick didn't force him out there. Bruschi didn't practice until he was good and ready, etc. If Johnson didn't want to get hit he shouldn't have practiced.

 

[blotch1]

Ridiculous. If Johnson needed to sit out he could have done so, he decided to practice. Chad Jackson sat out of practice for weeks with his hamstring for example, Belichick didn't force him out there. Bruschi didn't practice until he was good and ready, etc. If Johnson didn't want to get hit he shouldn't have practiced.

Easy enough to say that, but these guys know that if don't do what the coach says, you probably won't have a job for long.

 

[atceagle]

I'm a little torn on this subject. Since I deal with this in my profession, a part of me knows that he should not have been out there, period. If the athletic trainers told him not to practice and he still did, then it's on him. If the athletic trainers told the coach he should not practice and the coach still allowed him, then it's on the coach. Either way, you are dealing with millions of dollars here. All these athletes coming out after their careers are over to crucify the NFL over injuries is somewhat laughable. How often do you hear these guys retiring after suffering their 2nd or 3rd concussion. Hardly never. And the reason is because of the money. They think they will always be invincible and it won't happen to them. And they couldn't find another job to pay them the sort of money that football does.