You ever go to a retired players association convention? said Yaras-Davis. And Baltimore Colts Hall of Fame quarterback John Unitas once-golden right arm has a restructured right hand. Csonka is also the only player in the history of the NFL to be penalized while carrying the balla forearm shot/right cross that knocked a safety unconscious. Soon, attorneys were winning workers compensation cases throughout the league, which caused doctors to be more cautious with their diagnoses. He went down, then got up and trotted off the field. Hall of Fame center Jim Otto recently had his right leg amputated and is recovering in a hospital in Utah. He helped the Steelers win four Super Bowl titles in a six-year span in the 1970's and is probably the most important player in team history. We'd attack the bunker, and the quarterbacks would be sitting in a tank with the general saying, 'Well, what kind of attack are you planning?' Jim Brown, Running Back, Cleveland Browns (1957-1965), Arguably the greatest combination of power and speed the game has ever seen, Brown missed one game in his nine-year career. Hall of Fame linebacker Sam Huff said, Hardy Brown was a designated hitter. And when he drops his head, he drops his head right to the spot where the tackler is coming in with his head and shoulders. Thats when doctors operated on his back for 11 1/2 hours to remove scar tissue and 35. It has been 20 years since Otto retired after a Hall of Fame career. Former Chicago Bears tight end and head coach Mike Ditka waddles like a wooden toy soldier because of an artificial hip. It actually has to do with Junior Seau this past year and other recent events. He won eight rushing titles before abruptly retiring at the age of 30. He played in 11 Pro Bowls and is considered one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history. Nicknamed The Brute, Trafton broke the leg and ended the career of halfback Fred Chicken by throwing him into a fence. Well, in some cases guys are heroes, and all of a sudden they're not heroes. I think a lot of it is related to the pain and the lack of ability that I have for doing certain things. Trafton played before the NFL enforced late-hit, roughing, or unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. If you get hit in the head and a little dizziness comes out of it, you've suffered a concussion. He played a game against the Saints with a dislocated shoulder. He's beating people with it. He wasn't drafted by any NFL team, so he joined the Oakland Raiders of the new AFL, went on a strength program to increase his weight by 50 pounds, and became Oakland's starting center for the next 15 seasons. You're the tackler, and you get fined. I don't know what other players are thinking. How much did Jim Otto weigh when playing? Team doctors injected his knees with cortisone and other high-powered drugs in 1972 and 1973, causing permanent damage, he said. He has had two major back surgeries, 16 knee operations and five artificial knees. A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? Ever since the NFL began random drug testing in 1990, the consensus among players, coaches and team medical personnel is that steroid use has dropped significantly. I bit his ear. Kilroy, who played back in the days when offensive linemen weren't allowed to extend their arms to block, was considered the dirtiest player in the NFL, and he helped Philadelphia win back-to-back NFL championships. The Raiders missed the playoffs for the first time in 5 years in 1971, despite scoring 344 points (24.6 points/game), 2nd of 26 teams in the NFL. Jim Otto played before my time as a fan but I know his name and looked forward to reading his story. And we were together a lot. The former Titans star quarterback has injured nearly every part of his body at one time or another. I don't know that much about other players regarding suicide. Otto set the standard for excellence at center, the article said. However, Otto paid the price, as he has had 74 surgeries, including 28 knee operations, and in 2007 his lower right leg had to be amputated. Now, the tackler is fined $20,000, $30,000, $50,000, whatever it is for a blow to the head. In 1999, he was ranked number 78 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. Today, Otto is handicapped, but he says he wouldn't change a thing if given the opportunity to do it over again. Why isn't there somebody that can help him? He spit in the face of Eagles safety Bill Bradley as he lay injured on the ground. The average weight for a lineman on the Colts championship teams in 1958 and 1959 was 240 pounds. Double-zero recalls stories about all It was Dave Dalby. Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis made the announcement Wednesday as part of a wide-ranging news conference touching on the state of the team, the recent death of Bill Walsh and pensions for former NFL players. WebBut Jim, remembering that his college injuries had all come when he was on defense, chose to let down a little during defensive tryouts and then really go all out when it came time for offensive team trials. The 2003 NFL MVP, McNair has never missed a playoff start and led the Titans to the Super Bowl in 1999. Wausau High School and University of Miami, American Football League All-Star players, American Football League All-League players, http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/U/UpshGe00.htm, Hall of Famer Jim Otto recovering after having right leg amputated, Jim Otto profile at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, 10 All-AFL selection (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969). Too many times we hear about the negatives because were former athletes, but the media ignores the players who make positive contributions, said Curtis, a D.C. commercial real estate broker. There were so many times that I would walk off the field and my eyes would be crossed. It was a good, clean hit. But still, you led with your head, and that was part of football; that was what we learned. Steve McNair is the definition of playing through pain. I don't think it's hogwash. The Baltimore Ravens placed a bounty on Ward, to which the former Super Bowl MVP responded, Bring it on. He was voted the smartest offensive player in the NFL (non-quarterbacks) and is considered the best blocking receiver in the NFL. His head still down, Nagurski ran full speed into the brick outfield wall there at Wrigley Field. 33. , 39. He was issued jersey number 50 for the AFL's inaugural season, 1960, but switched to his familiar 00 the next season. Then there's mental toughness, when you're tough under pressure and not losing your poise. The NFL Hall of Famer recounts his legendary career with the Oakland Raiders, his many injuries, and the terrible cost of playing through the pain.From 1960 to 1974, Jim Otto played center for the Oakland Raiders, leading the team to historic AFL and NFL victories. I think what they're doing, they're going to cost so much money that the owners and high schools won't be able to afford the insurance for the game and stuff like that. As the size increases, so does the force of the collisions. There was about 150 people come, and naturally I wanted to play well and everything. He played in an era when quarterbacks did not receive much protection, specifically on late hits. The symptoms are nightmares and cold sweats. Injuries; Super Bowl LVII; Coaches; Football Power When asked why he played through the pain, instead of watching from the sidelines, Smith calmly responded, This is why they pay me., 19. No matter how many passes youve caught or touchdowns youve thrown, thats nice, but it doesnt mean anything in the real world., The transition period isnt always smooth, said Yaras-Davis, noting that the average career of a player is less than four years. Dobler punched Pittsburghs Mean Joe Greene in the solar plexus and kicked the Rams Merlin Olsen in the head. And he told me that so many times: "Pops, I'm going to be just like you. That crackling thud can mean a broken bone or a torn cartilage--and a redefined life. Two years ago, Detroit Lions guard Mike Utley took a hit and suffered severe spinal damage, leaving him nearly a quadriplegic. In the 1969 regular season, Oakland scored 377 points (26.9 points/game), once again leading the AFL, beating the Houston Oilers in the divisional round before losing to the Chiefs. Otto paid the price, as he has had 74 surgeries, including 28 knee operations, and in 2007 his lower right leg had to be amputated but has said that he Told by doctors that he would never play football again, Bleier, recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, spent two full years attempting to return to the NFL. In 14 seasons of play for the Oakland Raiders, Jim Otto played had a punishing history of injuries. It is, because there's some people who think there's a connection between all those hits that you take and suicide, like there's a physiological connection there, you know? I can't perform like I used to for a lot of different things physically, but I don't think it's directly connected to the brain. I mean, in the line it's war. Brett Favre, Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons & Green Bay Packers & New York Jets (1991-present). I've had over 20 concussions myself, and I don't like them. Well, as you know, it didnt get better. Two years later Unitas played the entire season with a broken vertebrae. And it bothers me. Left and right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels. But you're saying there are issues? Do you feel like the suicide thoughts are related to the pain or related to retirement? Oftentimes you'll see the contact where a tackler will tackle a runner or the quarterback, and right away they flag him, and it's going to cost them $20,000, $50,000, whatever it is for that hit. Every game. Up and Down arrows will open main level menus and toggle through sub tier links. After the game, we go into the locker room and he says, Hey Doc, I think I got a problem. Andy Russell, linebacker, 36. Over his 14-year career, which included Pro Bowl selections at safety, cornerback, and linebacker, Lott endured many injuries, including a broken leg and torn knee cartilage. PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. And even in soccer, you have problems with your head hitting the ball, two heads coming together or whatever. Its not for whiners.. There's a battle, and that battle is going on. Jack Tatum, Safety, Oakland Raiders & Houston Oilers (1971-1980), He was nicknamed The Assassin. He knocked out future Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey in the first game of his career. I mean, we battled in there, and this is the result of it right here, sitting here, looking at you. Editors note: Sadly, Class of 52 correspondent Joan Boffa Gaul passed away on April 11, 2023.This column, her final one, was written in February. Romanowski played in 243 consecutive games, a record for a linebacker, and played for four Super Bowl champions. Bavaro's play inspired the Giants, who went on to win the game, and the Super Bowl. What were your first thoughts when you started hearing those stories after his retirement? Tell me about that. 28. Mel Hein, Center, New York Giants (1931-1945). Thats when doctors operated on his back for 11 1/2 hours to remove scar tissue and insert rods, screws and ties so he could walk again. But pro football is a brutal game, a sport that long has glorified pain and punishment. Big was in.. There have been times when Ive said, Whyd I do this?, But I wasnt going to lay there and whine. A Living Raider Legend, "Mr. Is he in the Hall of Fame? Some things couldnt be measured, however, like Jims self-motivation, commitment and pride. WebAs a result of injuries sustained during his playing career, he has endured more than 70 surgeries, including nearly 30 knee operations. Thats why I think Id come back and do it again.. In 1951 alone, he knocked out 21 players. Deacon Jones, Defensive End, Los Angeles Rams & San Diego Chargers & Washington Redskins (1961-1974), The NFL's unofficial record-holder with 26 sacks in the 1967 season, Deacon coined the term sack. Jones said that toughness is defined not by playing through pain, but by avoiding pain in the first place. Raider played and played and played constantly proving wrong several coaches who in high school, college and the pros considered him undersized to hold up against defensive linemen and linebackers. He has a compound fracture of the thumb. Privacy Policy I look at Dave Dalby, because he used to tell me he wanted to follow me in my footsteps. We're going to get a broken leg, a broken shoulder or something, but I'm going to hit you like nobody else. The origin of the since-outlawed helmet-to-helmet hit is sometimes traced to Brown. There is a new level of information, and they've done some good studies on it, which are very important. He is famous for his crack-back blocks, and broke the jaw of Cincinnati rookie Keith Rivers in a 2008 contest. And then you have a guy like Junior Seau come along this last year. Jim Marshall, Defensive End, Minnesota Vikings (1960-1979). Yeah, but you didn't know about -- I mean, the concussions. Does that take a certain temperament? He also received fines for three illegal hits in the 1999 season. Yes, Id do it all again. I have issues, yes, I have issues. In order to foster a civil and literate discussion that respects all participants, FRONTLINE has the following guidelines for commentary. Jim Otto: The Pain of Glory is the story about a man who fought through numerous injuries, frequent surgeries, and a myriad of other maladies. I think I'm going and continuing to do the best I can with what I had, and I'm going to do that till I can't. But no, amnesia, it's a serious thing. Hell no, I wouldnt do it all over again, said Krueger. WebInjuries and surgeries. Marshall earned his fame as a member of the Purple People Eaters of the early 1970s. And they'll come up with some answers. Maybe part of it was Wisconsin and kids from a small town: Mike Webster from Rhinelander [High School], Wis., wanting to prove that he was a great, Jim Otto from Wausau who wanted to prove that he was the greatest. 190-pound linebacker Hardy Brown was the hardest-hitting player who ever lived. Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Ernie Holmes once sat on a bridge and shot at passing trucks, and then was arrested for shooting a police officer in the leg before surrendering. I mean, it's affected my life; it surely has. According to Yaras-Davis, a knee injury forced former Chicago Bears defensive lineman Roger Stillwell to get special devices to pull himself out of bed. Deacon perfected the head slap, a move that would be eventually banned by the NFL because it was too effective., 29. Why? In 1997, he spit in the face of wide receiver JJ Stokes. The young people that are coming out and playing football today, I want them to continue to play football; I want them to have fun playing football. The site navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands. He bit one tackle so many times that the player requested a rabies shot. Steve Sabol, President of NFL Films, once stated, There are so many definitions of toughness. Perhaps the most painful of Jim Ottos 23 surgeries occurred five years ago. He suffered a cracked vertebra, a concussion, and crushed intestines during a car crash before his senior year of college. He maintained his streak despite pneumonia, an ulcer, and a shotgun wound to the side. Otto worked diligently to build his body up to his playing weight of 250 pounds. In the 1973 regular season, Oakland scored 292 points (20.9 points/game), 10th of 26 teams in the NFL and avenged their defeat at the hands of the Steelers during the 1973-74 NFL playoffs before losing to the Dolphins. His last game, up in Cleveland, he came out of the hospital to play with a broken rib, a punctured lung, and pneumonia. Hitting harder than anyone else was very important to us. Ernie Stautner comes in the huddle, and his thumb is broken back against his wrist. I've had 74 surgeries all told throughout my body, all over my body. He was drafted into the U.S. Army after his rookie season and endured shrapnel wounds to his right leg. Minutes later, he set up the winning touchdown with a fake handoff. Im not out for revenge or anything, but I do think they took advantage of my loyalty.. The content here may be outdated or no longer functioning. Doesn't say anything. Jim Otto: The Pain of Glory is the story about a man who fought through numerous injuries, frequent surgeries, and a myriad of other maladies. Former Colts linebacker Mike Curtis said those cases are few and too highly publicized. 13. If they enjoy hitting somebody, let them hit people; let them play football. Raider," Jim Otto - Sports His first words: Did we score? Believe it or not, Plasman suffered from blindness and post-concussion syndrome until his death at age 67 in 1981. Also, once the NFL became a billion-dollar business about 1980, teams became less likely to risk injuries with million-dollar players, and urged them to participate in year-round conditioning, which includes weight training and aerobic exercise. It's the way we were taught to hit. 21. Hardy Brown, Linebacker, Brooklyn Dodgers & Chicago Hornets & Baltimore Colts & Washington Redskins & San Francisco 49ers & Chicago Cardinals & Denver Broncos (1948-1956, 1960). He gave the following advice to future Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey: Make sure when anyone tackles you he remembers how much it hurts., 20. And so yes, he broke my helmet; he broke my face mask in here, which broke my nose and set it over here. He spent the week prior to a game building up his hatred over the opponent. Butkus's opponents claimed that Butkus was like an odor that you could feel or sense on the field. The Pro Football Hall of Fame recently received new artifacts from Super Bowl LV. The psychological high and its addiction is parallel to people who become addicted to cocaine or a smoker who has a dependency on cigarettes.