Philip Rivers played an AFC championship game with a torn ACL. Carson Wentz tore two knee ligaments, stayed in the game and threw a touchdown pass a few plays later.
They did it willingly. Many other guys play hurt regularly in the NFL.
But when Antonio Brown accused the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of trying to force him to play with an ankle injury, it raised an old question about players being pressured into getting on the field.
“You can’t force a player to play. I mean, they have that choice. It’s their body. He decided to play,” Bucs coach Bruce Arians said of Brown, who was officially released by the team Thursday.
Players respond in different ways to injuries. Some have to be forced by the team’s medical staff to sit out. Some have no choice when the injury is serious. Some don't report their injuries right away.
Russell Wilson rehabbed tirelessly to return sooner than expected after finger surgery earlier this season.
“To be able to play this game, you have to be a little bit wild, a little bit crazy, you have to be tough to be able to do all the things you have to do every day,” Wilson said. “This is one of the hardest games in the world. I think every guy’s circumstance is different.”
Seahawks teammate DK Metcalf admitted players sometimes feel pressured to play.
“I think it comes up a lot. Dealing with this job, we have a lot of stress and a lot of pressure to be able to suit up on Sunday,” Metcalf said. “We have to deal with not only stress and anxiety and depression with all of that, but we always have to deal with nagging injuries throughout the whole year, plus they added an extra game, so that’s just one more game where you’re taking hits on your body. It’s a lot to deal with, with everything that you have to account for during the season.
“We’re built to where we can play through stuff. You get hit, you get back up and play the next play. I think we’re just a product of our environment that we play through stuff. If you can still walk and run, you can play. That’s the way I was brought up, and I think that’s the mindset of every football player out there.”
Coaches usually defer to the medical staff regarding injuries. Players are told to report everything to trainers.
Arians said Brown, who missed several games with an ankle injury, was upset about not getting enough passes thrown his way and refused to enter the game before he was told to leave the sideline. Brown, in a statement released through his attorney on Wednesday, said Arians fired him on the sideline when he told the coach his injury was too painful to continue playing, a claim Arians disputed.
“At no point in time during that game did he ever ask the trainer or a doctor about his ankle,” Arians said. “That’s the normal protocol — you go through protocols during games. I was never notified of it.”
NFL Players Association President and Browns center JC Tretter said the union will investigate Brown’s claims. The NFLPA always urges players to put their health first.
“Know your rights,” Tretter said. “We can help in a lot of ways as a union, but also what we’ve been preaching for a while now, is guys taking control of their health and well-being. I think doing what’s best for your health and well-being is always a priority, making sure that you stay safe and don’t put yourself at further risk.”
Players may feel pressured to play for several reasons. Some, like Brown, have incentive clauses tied to performance. Pride, desire to win and competitive personalities are all factors.
“Just with the Antonio Brown situation, I haven’t really looked at it like that. But you know, as a man, you want to go out there and play hard,” Ravens linebacker Tyus Bowser said. “You want to be out there regardless of whatever nicks and bruises you have and some things you want to fight through. You’re a human at the end of the day. If something is bothering you, you just have to think for yourself and understand that you have to put yourself first, because that’s your body, that’s your temple, that’s what is getting you paid. If you’re not out there to give your 100 percent, man, to me, personally, I think that’s just selfish, because you’re not putting your best effort out there, and that’s not helping the team win. So, just with that situation, whatever it is, whatever the case may be, that’s his decision, and he just has to live with it.”
Packers linebacker Preston Smith said he’s never felt pressured to play. Teammate Adrian Amos said the pressure can be internal.
“That’s the NFL, period, just I think a lot of people personally, you want to play, too,” Amos said. "A lot of times the team doesn’t have to put that pressure on you. You put that pressure on yourself. But then sometimes I guess, everybody has a different situation. Everybody is their own person. His (Brown’s) situation could’ve been different from my situation or things like that. I don’t know exactly what’s going over there, but do I believe that people put pressure on players to play? Yeah. That’s within the business like this, it’s always going to be certain pressures.”
Saquon Barkley and Logan Ryan had plenty of praise for the New York Giants’ medical staff.
“I’ve had to spend a lot of quality time with a lot of those guys in that training room,” said Barkley, who has dealt with several injuries the past two seasons. “They’re unbelievable people and helped me as much as they can to get me back on the football field.”
Reaction to the death of NFL coach, broadcaster John Madden
Al Michaels
“We worked together for seven years on ‘Monday Night Football’ and ‘Sunday Night Football.’ It was like hitting the lottery. He was so much more than just football — a keen observer of everything around him and a man who could carry on a smart conversation about hundreds and hundreds of topics. The term ‘Renaissance Man’ is tossed around a little too loosely these days, but John was as close as you can come. A dear friend, a wonderful partner in the broadcast booth and a man who brought so much joy to so many people, I’ll miss him enormously.” — Al Michaels, lead announcer for NBC's “Sunday Night Football.”
Cris Collinsworth
“If you love football, John Madden was probably part of the reason why. If you were lucky enough to watch his Raiders, you were likely inspired watching his free-spirited team play with such heart. If you watched him as a broadcaster, you learned the game from the inside out, through the eyes of a former offensive lineman who understood every nuance of the game. But, as a broadcaster he will always be remembered as the original LOL. He could make you belly laugh for reasons you couldn’t explain, but always treasured. And if you remember him for his video game, you probably learned how to play football without ever touching a ball.” — Cris Collinsworth, Madden's successor as analyst on “Sunday Night Football.”
Brett Favre
“We lost a larger than life legend in John Madden. My career was narrated by ‘Coach,’ one of the best in the game. I’ll always remember our pre-game (meetings), when we laughed & talked about anything but football. I’ll miss my dear friend. Love & prayers to Virginia & the family.” — Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre.
Dan Rather
“Few approached life with the joy of legendary football coach & broadcaster John Madden. A colleague at CBS, he was a gentleman with a boisterous sense of humor. On the sidelines & in the booth, this voluble mountain of energy was a trailblazer. A golden era ends with his passing.” — Former “CBS Evening News” anchor Dan Rather.
Dick Ebersol
“John was arguably the most impressive man I’ve ever met. He was a hero, as well as a dear friend. ‘Sunday Night Football’ is what it is today in part because he came over to NBC. He set the tone for what has become prime time’s No. 1 show for the past decade.” — Dick Ebersol, NBC Sports chairman from 1989-2011.
Phil Simms
“When Madden and (Pat) Summerall did our games, every player & every coach was excited. It felt big. I told John Madden everything. I trusted him & he never betrayed it. I admired John’s passion for the game most and his truth. He was and will he remembered as a GIANT for football.” — Super Bowl-winning quarterback and CBS broadcaster Phil Simms.
Magic Johnson
“Rest In Peace to Hall of Fame Coach John Madden! Young people know him for the Madden NFL game, but he is a legend for being a great football coach winning Super Bowl XI, coaching the Raiders for 10 seasons, and becoming the youngest coach to reach 100 regular-season victories.” — NBA great Magic Johnson.
Gil Brandt
“In the 150+ years football’s been around, no one has had a bigger impact on the game than John Madden. I’m going to really miss him and our Wednesday HOF calls. Rest in peace, John." — Fellow Hall of Famer and former Dallas Cowboys executive Gil Brandt.
Jerry Jones
“I am not aware of anyone who has made a more meaningful impact on the National Football League than John Madden, and I know of no one who loved the game more." — Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
Roger Goodell
“Nobody loved football more than Coach. He was football. He was an incredible sounding board to me and so many others. There will never be another John Madden, and we will forever be indebted to him for all he did to make football and the NFL what it is today.” — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Greg Olsen
“I would sit in my room for hours, playing Madden 94, dreaming about the NFL. John Madden voiced countless childhood memories and help cultivate my love of football. Now I make new memories with my boys playing Madden. I never met John Madden. But I feel like I knew him.” — Former NFL tight end and current broadcaster Greg Olsen.
Vin Scully
“I was saddened to hear about the passing of John Madden, at age 85. One the all-time greats, he showed me the ropes during our brief football partnership. He was always kind and delightful. He can now join his former partner, Pat Summerall, in calling Super Bowls in heaven.” — Retired Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully, who also called NFL games.
Pro Football Hall of Fame
“John Madden was dearly loved by millions of football fans worldwide. While it’s a very sad day, it’s also a day we should celebrate the life of a man who brought joy through the game of football to millions.” — Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Draymond Green
“RIP to the legend Coach John Madden! I never heard of ALL-PRO teams during my childhood. It was all about the All Madden team!! One of a kind! Rest up Coach.” — Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green.
Adam Sandler
“Loved this man. Loved him as a coach and as a broadcaster. We all did. Love to his family and thanks for all coach.” — Actor Adam Sandler.
Ron Rivera
“Coach John Madden was an NFL icon, who played, coached and gave his name to a video game. But to me he offered his time, wisdom and coaching insight. I was truly blessed to have him as a mentor! RIP Coach.” — Washington Football Team coach Ron Rivera.
Troy Aikman
“John Madden was a treasure. He was a gift. And he was an incredible friend. RIP John.” — Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman.
Rex Chapman
“John Madden absolutely roasting Troy Aikman for 44-seconds over Aikman’s inability to grow a beard will always be one of my favorite John Madden memories ...” — Former NBA player Rex Chapman.
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