How Far is Too Far?

Those of you who know me well know that I love football. As far as I'm concerned, football is the only sport that matters. ;) Both of my sons played football, and I easily admit that those years of watching them play were some of the best of my life! I did worry a little, though. Any mother would. My son David played his entire senior year with a bad thumb. They had to tape his thumb, hand and wrist before every game. When my son Ryan played, he messed up his knee. As far as injuries go, they were fairly minor, thankfully, and they continued playing. But how far is too far?

I know that players in the NFL play hurt all the time. That doesn't make it right, but they are adults, after all, and can decide for themselves if they want to permanently screw up their bodies. What I take issue with is High School and College players who are allowed -- even encouraged -- to play hurt.

What really got me to thinking about this was an article in our local newspaper about Gary Kubiak's son. To preface this a bit, I'll tell you that Gary Kubiak is the Denver Broncos' former back-up Quarterback, as well as their Offensive Coordinator for eleven years. He is now the head coach of the Houston Texans. He has a son named Klint who is a junior at Colorado State University (Ft. Collins) and is a player for the CSU Rams. Well, apparently on Saturday he dropped to a knee following pre-game warm-ups in the Rams’ game against the University of Houston. He was immediately taken to the hospital, where he was determined to have low blood pressure and bleeding ulcers, and required several blood transfusions. He was released on Monday afternoon.

Now, I don't know about you, but I don't think bleeding ulcers are typical in 20 year old people. My own father ultimately died from complications of bleeding ulcers, but he was in his sixties. I also know that it takes a lot for ulcers to begin bleeding. Yes, I know there are other causes besides stress and inner turmoil, such as stomachs which are extremely sensitive to ibuprofen, etc., but it certainly makes one wonder, doesn't it.

With all that aside, though, the thing that really got to me was the "discussion" between Sonny Lubick, the Rams' head coach, and the press as to whether or not Klint would play on Saturday:

“I would say right now it would seem like it would be very doubtful. He’s resilient and I know that Klint wants to play. I don’t know how fast you recover from those things. Maybe if Klint got back and got some practice in Wednesday, maybe he could. I would say we should prepare that he would not be playing.”

WHY is it even in question? Of course he shouldn't play! Does it even make common sense that someone who has bleeding ulcers and has had to have blood transfusions should be playing in a college football game a week later??? Hell no it doesn't! So I ask you, when does it cross the line between right and wrong? When do we tell the coaches "no way!"? Should parents have the right to say no, even though their children are legally adults? I say YES. They're still in college. In most instances, parents are still providing at the very least partial support to their college-age children. I'm sure that Klint Kubiak has aspirations of playing in the NFL like his father, but why should our young athletes have to sacrifice their very health in order to do so? In my opinion, it just isn't right -- or even moral.

What do you think?

Gary Kubiak, Klint Kubiak, Football, NFL, Football Injuries, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, CSU Rams