While hosting a charity event on Aug. 26, Indianapolis Colts WR Austin Collie, who has suffered four concussions over the past 21 months, indicated that he has no interest in retiring from football.
"I love football and I'll play until I can't play anymore," said Collie at the event, as reported by Jeremiah Johnson of FOX59 in Indianapolis.
What Colts fans--like myself--are worried about is that by the time Collie can't play anymore, some very serious long-term and permanent damage may already be done. No one wants that for Collie, especially as one of the most popular players on the team.
Collie, at least, is aware of the fans' concerns.
"The fans are great. I know everybody wants what is best for me and for my family," said Collie, according to Johnson. "It has been a humbling experience just being here these last four years and just seeing how much the fans have been in my corner. That is why they are the best fans in the world. I love them, I'm thankful for their concern with everything that has gone on."
Collie's most recent concussion came against the Pittsburgh Steelers during preseason action on Aug. 19, when he took three blows to the head in rapid succession on a play. I saw nothing to make me think the play, which involved Steelers DB Ike Taylor and LB Larry Foote, was dirty. It was simply a fluke that Collie's head was bounced around like a pinball.
The human brain doesn't care whether the hit was legal or illegal, though, and thankfully, while Collie may want to continue playing, he still has to be cleared by team doctors before strapping on a helmet again. With all the recent emphasis in the NFL on identifying and treating concussions, my hope is that the Colts proceed with caution.
As much as I'd love to see No. 17 back on the field, there are more important things in life than football.
The author is a resident of central Indiana and a longtime fan of the Colts. He is also a Featured Contributor in Sports for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. You can follow him on Twitter at @RedZoneWriting and on Facebook.
