Former football and baseball star Bo Jackson recently made headlines when he said he would’ve never played football if he knew the health risks associated with the sport. But the former Heisman Trophy winner isn’t just worried about his own health, he’s also concerned about the health of Carolina Panthers’ quarterback Cam Newton.
“The person I love in the NFL like my own son is Cam Newton (also a Heisman winnerfrom Auburn). I cuss him out like my own son. But every time he takes a hit to his head, that scares me, it scares the hell out of me.”
“I witnessed him getting hit hard twice, and both times go to the locker room. I know he can take care of himself, but it still scares me. I care about all of those players playing, I don’t want to see anybody getting hurt.
“It bothers me when ex-NFL players are walking around homeless, don’t have medical insurance, and are walking around in chronic pain. It bothers me, even though I haven’t played a game in 25 years. When I see something that’s not right it will always bother me.’’
As much as Roger Goodell, team owners and league executives would like us to believe football is safe, we know that’s simply not the case. Just talk to any former player, ask them what hurts and just listen to the litany complaints. Bo’s concerns and the concerns of others who play this sport are real and it’s time for the league, and the players themselves, to start recognizing them.