Playing Hurt

One thing I just can stand is when people talk about athletes in bad terms when they are perceived as not wanting to play hurt. No one would suggest that people must work sick; well no one in their right minds anyway. Sure, it is inspiring when we see Stevie Yzerman played the playoffs with practically no soft tissue on his knees. But is that the right thing to do? Or more precisely, can we ask someone to do that. What Yzerman faces, like so many retired athletes, is lifelong debilitation and pain on his knees. Their pain is not just the normal wear-and-tear, but also, more importantly, the delay in treating the injuries and premature return to action—i.e. playing hurt. If Yzerman had taken treatments early and followed precautions his injuries required, he would not have to “play with one leg” on TV. What these people are asking is to have others sacrifice their long-term health and quality of life for some ‘fan’s’ moment of fantasy. No matter what they say—traditions, sportsmanship, and manhood—it is still a despicable act to ask others of such things. If they want to scarify bodies for their holy sport, let them scarify their own. I scarified for mine, and my wrist still hurts; that is my choice. If someone, when I was keeping goal in high school and college, had told me I must or else I am less of a man, I would have punched him on his mouth and gladly feel the arthritics on my knuckles today.