Broncos football players know the dangers of the sport
CPR performed by medical personnel to revive Buffalo Bills safety Damarhamlin Monday Night Football This week’s game was a reminder to all players that football is dangerous and violent.
“I think the danger of the game is real,” Denver Broncos interim coach Jerry Rosburg said Wednesday. “We have a lot of guys injured this year. We have many guys on [injured reserve]. Participants in the game know this risk. They’re here, and they are willing take that risk.
“They find enough value in the game itself to take that risk and walk out there. Along with that, the National Football League in general and the players specifically — and the players association, I would add — has made good strides in making sure this game is as safe as it possibly can be without damaging the nature of the game.”
NFL players know an injury can happen on any play, but Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson admitted that most players don’t think a serious injury will happen to them.
“To see that hit the other night and just to see him drop to the ground — it was devastating to watch because that could be any of us,” Wilson said. “I know we’ve played this game since we were young, and we’ve played a lot of college ball and high school ball. Our fans cheer us on every week as we play. They also have their fantasy football. We, as players, watch every week and every match as much as possible. We watch film. It’s not something you think about or imagine. It was amazing to see the team bonding together and pray together. It is No. 1 that we can’t take this life for granted and this game for granted and these moments.”
Players choose to play the game despite the potential dangers.
“We know what we sign up for,” safety Justin Simmons said. “We are putting our bodies in harm’s way. It’s not uncommon to see men with ACLs and other injuries that cause them to miss the season. These types of injuries are very painful. It was just different at this magnitude. I can remember watching the ‘AB’ [Antonio Brown] incident. He’s laying lifeless on the field. Ryan Shazier’s incident. To see what happened live — I can only imagine the number of people tuning in to watch that game live. It’s something you will never want to miss. My heart breaks for the Hamlins and all those involved. It’s truly tragic. Unbelievable.”
Hamlin’s concern is first and foremost felt by fans, players, and teams. who has made positive steps in his recovery. Other players, as well as some Broncos, have been affected by the scary situation.
Rosburg said the team told players “if they needed counseling, if they needed help, if they needed spiritual guidance, or if they needed anyone in the building, we were there for them.”
It will be hard for the Bills and Cincinnati Bengals to turn around and play again on Sunday — and it will be hard for players across the league.
“[W]e all know what we put our bodies through and what we put our mental through,” Simmons said. “For me getting ready for Sunday, I think it’s continuing to be open and honest. Sometimes it’s okay not to be okay. I was not okay after seeing that. We have to continually have that open conversation.”
Broncos players are choosing to continue playing on, but some — like defensive lineman DeShawn Williams — won’t have their children play the sport.
“I’ll tell ya what, my son’s not playing football,’’ Williams told KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. “I’ll tell ya that. I’m going to do what I’ve got to do to make as much money as I can so I can take care of him. But my son is not playing football.’’
The game has risks. For players in Denver, they deem the reward worth the risk — for now.
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