The NFL has finally begun to open its ears to the idea of exploring more safety precautions. As they do, more and more players have emerged to tell their stories of how the game has physically affected them over the years. The latest is legendary defensive end, Bruce Smith.
There’s not a day that goes by that I’m not in pain,” Smith told Tyler Dunne of the Buffalo News. “Multiple joints and things that I experience on a daily basis. It can be very frustrating sometimes and painful, but I’m very blessed.”
In Smith’s 19-year career, he was the league’s all time leader in sacks with 200 total. Of course, this also means inevitable head-to-head contact. Smith admitted that he now forgets things on occasion, implying that he is still negatively affected by concussions that occurred during his career.
“I’m not one to sit here and complain,” the hall of famer stated. “While I did not know the severity of what continuous head traumas could do to an individual and the mind and so forth, I’m not going to sit here and complain. I’m very blessed to be standing here.”
Upon being asked if he thought the NFL would be forthcoming with more evidence on the concussion issue, Smith said that he wasn’t sure that players would ever get the full truth.
“For some reason or another, I don’t think we’ll ever get to that,” he stated. “But obviously, there’s some light that can be shed on the subject. But for reasons that may be too sensitive, for reasons that may be too damaging, we won’t ever get to that point. However, I do think they’re taking steps to move in the right direction in the protection of players and future players in the present time. But there are some guys who are suffering that we need to make sure are taken care of.”
Some of the help that Smith speaks of may finally be able to come about as the concussion settlement negotiated three years ago gets closer.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
