OT: Former UNC OL Ryan Hoffman is homeless in Florida

Submitted by boliver46 on

Saw this kicking around the Internetz yesterday, and finally decided to share.  This is a sad tale of a former college football player struggling with mental illness and the aftereffects of a long time playing the sport we all love.

I am sharing this as I struggle myself as to whether to allow my son to play football.  I didn't play myself until 8th grade and loved it all - even as a scrub walk-on in college.  I would love for him to "follow in my footsteps" and share with him the experiences of the game I love.

However, more and more emerging evidence regarding CTE due to repeated head trauma has me on the fence as to whether to let him play.

This is why:

After graduation, Hoffman moved into his father’s house in Florida, jobless and without direction. He struggled to sleep. He complained of headaches and dizziness and of hearing loud noises like shotgun blasts inside his head and of seeing flashing lights

This is a former OFFENSIVE LINEMAN - not a running back, quarterback, or any other player seemingly susceptible to high speed collisions.  He plays OL much as I did, and likely where my son would play since he "takes after his dad" physically.

Awareness is increasing, but this reminds me of my experiences: 

Hoffman says he remembers having one (diagnosed) concussion in college but also details a time in high school when he threw up multiple times after a game. As we know, the concussion protocols being developed today weren't even a thought back in Hoffman's playing days

I remember getting crushed in the helmet on a pull to the right - helmet to helmet contact where I immediately went down.  And the weird thing?  I was on the ground and couldn't stop LAUGHING.  World spinning, lights flashing, and I was laughing...I was loopy as h***.  And guess what?  I went in the next play.

Granted, that was a long time ago - but stories like those of Mr. Hoffman make me wonder if I'll ever let my son play.

Link

TL;DR - concussions are bad m'kay?

Flying Dutchman

March 6th, 2015 at 10:58 AM ^

I have the same struggle as the father of 2 young sons.   We grow 'em big in our family, so they are going to have some of the natural attributes, but I got lit up a number of times in just 3 years of football before shifting focus to basketball.    I will continue to monitor this stuff.   Too bad for the young man in Florida.

The Mad Hatter

March 6th, 2015 at 11:02 AM ^

played center.  We all know how that worked out for him.

My boy is only 3, but he's already starting to watch football with dad and grandpa.  He's also already as big as his 6 year old cousin.  Not fat, but very stocky and tall for his age.  He's like a little bull.

I'm in the same place as you OP.  I'd love for him to play, but I don't think I can in good conscience. 

 

JHendo

March 6th, 2015 at 11:09 AM ^

I played football for 8 years, all at OL and got 2 diagnosed concussions:  one during junior football that I don't remember what caused it, and the other was my senior yr in HS that was caused when we played a team who inexplicably blitzed a LB up the middle every single damn play (run or pass). As the center, I was the lucky one taking a head-on hit by a guy with a 5yd running start on every snap until they supposedly found me trying to crawl back to the sideline after one possession had ended.  I also got a 3rd diagnosed concussion from a freak basketball foul that sent my head slamming into some bleachers.

I seem to be absolutely fine in my adulthood thus far with no ill-effects from my concussions, but I am honestly a little bit scared about what may evolve for me later on in life.  Needless to say, as much as I love the sport and don't regret playing it for as long as I did, no son of mine will be playing football.

Smoothitron

March 6th, 2015 at 11:11 AM ^

I struggle with this as well, although I'm pretty sure at this point that I will be strongly discouraging my own son from playing football.

 

Luckily for me, I live in Indiana.  If my son or my daughter end up sports types, they'll likely be playing hoops.  It's what we watch the most in my home anyway.

Yostbound and Down

March 6th, 2015 at 11:16 AM ^

My parents pretty much told me I couldn't play, because of the safety aspect...I played soccer and basketball instead until high school where I played some lacrosse and then now I play rec hockey. Always kinda wished I could have played because it's probably my favorite sport to watch, aside from hockey. 

I don't know much about Pop Warner/USA football but I would think until around 6 grade there's absolutely no benefit to playing tackle ball. 

ETA: I wouldn't prevent my kid from playing if he wanted to, at least not right now. There are parts of evidence floating around that it can be bad for your brain in some cases but I'm not completely convinced. If I was then yeah, I wouldn't want my kid playing.

jmdblue

March 6th, 2015 at 12:03 PM ^

headhunter in the mid-80s it was never discouraged.  My son is 11 and he'll be playing his 4th year this year. Things have changed dramatically in terms of how kids are taught and the helmet to helmet stuff and the crown of the helmet stuff is far rarer than it was even a few years ago. I watch things as closely as I can, and, for now, I believe the benefits outweigh the risks.  That said, there have been a couple concussions within his age group and, if things looked anything like they do on Friday Night Tykes, there's no way he'd be playing.  

The last thing I'll relate is a conversation I had with my dad when I was considering rushing a fraternity my first term at Michigan.  He was in one of the "better" fraternities at Michigan and it seemed like a fun and easy path just to be his legacy.  He told me he'd be proud if I followed what he did, but that he'd be just as proud if I found my own way.  It was really good and really selfless advice.  If your boy wants to play football and you're comfortanbe with what you see out there let the kid play.  If not then don't.  But remember, it's not about us or our pasts at all.  Cheers and have a great weekend.    

SalvatoreQuattro

March 6th, 2015 at 11:20 AM ^

People can get hurt doing anything and the vast majority of players don't have CTE.



At the end of the day it's a personal choice. I can't blame anyone who steers their kid away from the game because of CTE.

Smoothitron

March 6th, 2015 at 11:25 AM ^

Yeah, it's an odd choice.  I can't see myself expressly forbidding my kid from playing if that was what his heart was set on, but it's not as if football has something to offer that a zillion other sports and activities don't.



It's not a situation where you're necessarily avoiding a humongous risk.  It's just a nebulous risk with virtually no upside. 

TheDirtyD

March 6th, 2015 at 11:23 AM ^

This is odd to me I've had 6 diagnosed concussions two of which I lost consciousness. I have no idea how many other ones I've had without having a doctor clinically declare them. I don't have any lingering symptoms. My joints hurt but that's hard to say they wouldn't ache already. I was 12 when I had my first one my last one came at the age of 21. So its hard for me to buy into the hype. It really is. I think there are guys who struggle with post symptoms but I think there has to be some other causes as well drug, alcohol abuse, other under lying mental illnesses etc. I don't think the problem is just concussions it has to be concussions and....

UMfan21

March 6th, 2015 at 11:26 AM ^

I only played 3 years in high school and I have lingering effects. I was a WR/TE and DE.

The only time I may have been concussion as running a slant route in practice. pass was high and I jumped as high as I could, fully extended. DB came in and hit me right in the ribs, but it flipped me and I landed flat on my back, head slammed on the ground (I imagine it must have looked a bit like Marcus Ray and David Boston). I was loopy, but thankfully coach held me out a few plays.

but the lingering knee and back problems I have are just not worth it.

LSAClassOf2000

March 6th, 2015 at 11:28 AM ^

My dad actually was a defensive end in college and wanted me to play, but all 5'9" and at the time 180 pounds of me was at best a backup RB that would likely never see the light of day (that's what I was more or less told when they said "no, thanks" at tryouts in HS). I found much more success in my sports life as a first baseman, mostly because I am left-handed and that trait alone got me onto baseball fields in various leagues.

I love to watch, learn and analyze football and have for many, many years now. My son is at a point now (going on 8 years old) where he'll sit down and watch too and is very interested in it. My daughter is a basketball person really, so that's not even on our radar (i.e., of course we'll let her play basketball), but my wife and I are pretty set that football probably will not happen, but we're willing to discuss it all the same if he is ever truly passionate about giving it a shot - we didn't want to close the door on it entirely right now (he is, after all, not yet 8). Fortunately, my son is also quite into baseball as well. 

Jack Harbaugh

March 6th, 2015 at 11:55 AM ^

Check out various area leagues. When I was 9, 4th grade, I started playing football. 4th-6th grade you could have 1 full contact practice a week. Games were more like controlled scrimmages than real games. They really emphasized technique and safety of how to hit. I quit playing in middle school because I chose to fully pursue a different sport but there are options for different levels of full padded football.

Bodogblog

March 6th, 2015 at 11:29 AM ^

Yes, gentleman above, but it's a little more complicated than that.  Every time this topic comes up, there's a rush to get on the board and voice concern about the players, and trepidation about cheering on this game we love.  Are you nothing but a Roman, mindlessly cheering for gladiators in the Colosseo?  You worry.  Who will think of the children?  You wonderful people will struggle, and you will think of the children.  

This is probably what will happen: more studies will show something is happening, and some brains are more prone to these injuries than others.  There will be physical examinations to check for the traits at risk, and those testing positive will either be prohibited or understand that they're at increased risk. 

Beyond all the moral navel-gazing there are tough questions.  Football absolutely teaches you things that no other sport can.  Running into someone at top speed forces young person to face mortal fears that aren't extant in any other sport.  Hockey, yes, but how many inner city and underpriveledged kids have access to hockey?  It teaches you an amazing amount about yourself: it hurts, it's tough work, it's perserverance, it's a team game and you all share in that hurt and sacrifice.  It means a tremendous amount to almost everyone who played.  

Given that, let's assume there are real risks.  Is society going to throw out all of that benefit for the (very serious) repercussions that seem to fall on a select few who play?  Is it OK to take that decision out of people's hands?  Think of Denard Robinson and his limited opportunites in Florida.  Football gave him an incredible vehicle to become a legend and treasure to millions.  If he's at risk, do you allow him the decision to play or not?  If you deny it, you are essentially banishing him to a life that's so much less than the dream which has played out so far.  Will he pay for it later in life, and will it have been worth it?  I believe you still must allow the choice.  And then the other argument about all the other sports (boxing, MMA, even soccer with the heading is now being called into question) that have to be put through the same filter.  

Erik_in_Dayton

March 6th, 2015 at 11:43 AM ^

I agree with you that football shouldn't be banned by the state (if that's what you're saying), i.e., people generally should have the choice to play it.  But the question of whether you'd allow your ten year old to play is another story.  To make a long story short, that would be a very difficult question for me.

Brady Elliott

March 6th, 2015 at 11:47 AM ^

I particularly liked your question of society as a whole eliminating risks. Life is full of risks. By definition or risk and existing as a human, risk is something we are very much a part of. That's not say we take unneeded risks or don't seek education but at the end of the day, risks are part of life. Although nothing was diagnosed, I believe I had two concussions in HS. One was caused by football and the other was from horsing around and being slammed to the ground and landing on pavement.

Having said that, although there are risks involved, my sons will be welcome to play football if they so choose

Sllepy81

March 6th, 2015 at 11:41 AM ^

are blessed with size and athletic ability runs in the family but im not putting them in football. If they must flag football, i did that as a kid. Helps that my wife's a radiologist and has seen broken necks and paralyzed kids from football show up in the ER, you never think it'll happen then it does. Plenty of other less dangerous sports they can play, i like to lower the serious injury and permanent damage odds on my kids but anything can happen in any sport.

JFW

March 6th, 2015 at 12:48 PM ^

but my wife, while loving the game, doesn't want our son playing fter talking with our pediatrician. Its a tough one a. I understand all the issues, but at the same time, I played through my Jr. year in HS and am fine. Now I *wasn't* a starter, but  I did get my 'bell rung' a couple of times over the years. 

I guess I'm of the opinion that for the most part, most kids would do pop warner/city leagues, -> Middle School -> HS, and thats okay, especially now that we have more knowledge of the potential dangers. 

Beyond that it gets crazy. I remember walking into the Union and seeing Trezell Jenkins and being dumbfounded at how big he was. Players now are so big, and so fast, that the impacts are almost impossible to completely mitigate, even with advanced pads and better technique. So it has to be a players, and a persons' choice. 

For us, I'm not going to fight my wife on it. It scares her, and I don't want to put her through that. It helps that my son doesn't have much of an interest. (Well, and he told me he's a State fan. He's 6. I'm working on it...) If that changes, who knows?

He will try Wrestling; and pretty much anything else he wants to try. I don't know if Wrestling is any safer, but I think its one of the best sports out there for individual growth. Our rule basically is that you have to do something. I don't care if its band, chess club, robotics club, or wrestling. For now, though, football is out. 

JFW

March 12th, 2015 at 10:32 AM ^

It would be interesting to do a study on. 

The thing is, I can't think of a situation where you get a ton of head trauma in wrestling like you do in football. In a bad throw I'm more concerned about the neck. But its not like everyone is throwing souffle's out there all the time. Most take downs, if I had to guess, would be singles, doubles, carries, etc. That sort of thing. On the mat you need to worry about a rough cross face... but not the blunt force trauma that an O lineman might face all the time. 

 

 

Moe

March 6th, 2015 at 11:44 AM ^

But I won't ever limit my future kids on whatever sports/non-sports they want to try.  I played several sports in high school, but if my child wants to be on the chess team and the band I will fully support them.  I won't be one of those parents who says "nope, you cannot play this or do that."  

readyourguard

March 6th, 2015 at 11:50 AM ^

I played through college (also a walk on, though I take offense to the term "scrub"). There were 120 guys on the team. I suspect 95% suffered at least one concussion in their playing days. I also suspect that 95% suffered a broken bone or torn ligament. When I see these guys at reunion-type events, most complain about neck, back, and hip/leg ailments. Dan Dierdorf can barely walk. An all-America DT has to use a cane due to wrecked hips. An AA OT can't fly due to severe back issues.

Head trauma is something we need to address, but it's not the most common long term ailment for the majority of former players.

Football is a physical sport, as is hockey, boxing, and rugby. It's an aspect of the sport you can't possibly eliminate.

panthera leo fututio

March 6th, 2015 at 2:27 PM ^

I never played past high school, but I did manage to accumulate a fair amount of joint injury: a torn ACL/meniscus and four subsequent knee surgeries and continued wear left me unable to do anything ballistic with my legs at a young age, and I already have a fair amount of arthritis in that knee and same-side hip, both of which I assume will have to get replaced at some point going forward.

I know that this pails in comparison to the joint injury/pain that a lot of guys go through, but I say it to establish the fact that I can appreciate the costs of joint damage. That said, I'm grateful that, aside from getting my bell rung a few times, I never accumulated much head trauma. I just see a qualitative difference between brain injury and bodily injury; bodily injury can alter your life, making it inconvenient and painful (in ways that I acknowledge can be pretty awful), but brain injury can fundamentally change who you are. And this is what I, and I assume others, find so frightening about the risk from concussions. I could see myself with full information trading a few years of playing a sport that I love for a future of moderate physical disability. I could never see myself making that trade for a future of middle-aged advanced dementia.

Unsalted

March 6th, 2015 at 12:06 PM ^

I played in HS. I was an okay player on a team that was not that good. 8th grade was the first year of tackle football, before that was flag football and sandlot. I loved every minute of playing football, I wished I was good enough to play in college but since I was off to Michigan in 1975 I knew there was no way that was ever going to happen. I was the smallest guy on my HS team, I would have been a spec in college.

The downside of playing was the concussions. Twice I had my lights completely turned out. It being the 1970s I pulled myself together and played the rest of the game each time. Dumb.

I have twin boys, who are now 19. I decided I would let them play football if they wanted, but I did not actively encourage them. I signed them up for baseball, tennis, soccer, basketball, golf and volleyball, but not football. Neither ever expressed interest in football, so they never played. One is a runner on a NAIA track and cross country scholarship, the other is a music education major. My musician is actually the better athlete when it comes to skiing, golf, tennis etc. I think he would have been a good football player, but his passion is the trumpet.

If you decide to let your boys play football I have two suggestions. One, don't start them too early and two stress the importance of not using your head/helmut as a weapon.

Blue Bennie

March 6th, 2015 at 12:16 PM ^

I played fullback on a run-first team.  I had several concussions, but don't seem to be experiencing any lingering effects from them.

My knees do bother me, though.

Blue Bennie

March 6th, 2015 at 12:17 PM ^

I was fullback on a run-first team.  I got several concussions, but I don't seem to be experiencing any lingering effects from them.

My knees do bother me, though.

Walter Sobchak

March 6th, 2015 at 12:51 PM ^

Its not just football.

I had two certifiable concussions playing soccer, one of which left me out of action for a week with nausea, irritability.    With the other concussion I played in the second half, as soon as I was "good to go" according to my coach.

My daughters are quite litte, but I hope they play some sports.  Its just a risk my wife and I will have to accept, and proceed cautiously where indicated.

Also, as other posters have mentioned, the orthopedic injuries can be debilitating on their own.   I had a menisectomy at age 16, I'm looking at a total knee replacement before Im 45. 

PIJER

March 6th, 2015 at 1:31 PM ^

I played tackle football from the age of 7 until I was 21. I only stopped because of injury and eventually I wasn't good enough to  progress to the NFL. I also coached HS and little league for a total of seven years after my playing days. The biggest factor that usually is missed in all of these discussions is equipment. Many of the injuries that occur happen because the helmet is either oversized or not strapped up properly. I played FB/LB in HS and LB in college, and I was always in big time collisions and only suffered one concussion. I believe this was only possible because I always wore my equipment properly. As a coach I had to correct other coaches on proper fit for helmets as well as other equipment. When I see all of these professional athletes and college athletes not wearing their helmets properly I cringe because many of the young kids watching are going to emulate this behavior. (and the cycle continues) Concussions as well as other injuries can still occur but properly wearing one's equipment can drastically reduce the occurences.

brose

March 6th, 2015 at 3:45 PM ^

I played in HS and middle school and always like the helmet on nice and tight - all straps being used - not like Neon Deion.  I did get 2 concussions (both on punt/kickoff coverage) while playing, but I often led with my head...never had the head down but used it as a weapon and that was responsible for both concussions and I am confident my helmet was on correctly.  So in summary - what you said, but definitely dont try to kill people with you helmet either.

jmblue

March 6th, 2015 at 3:14 PM ^

This is a former OFFENSIVE LINEMAN - not a running back, quarterback, or any other player seemingly susceptible to high speed collisions.

Linemen actually have more total collisions involving the head than other positions. Most happen to be subconcussive but still can be impactful on the brain.

boliver46

March 6th, 2015 at 4:00 PM ^

Every play is a collision - but most people have been equating the CTE problem with players exposed to high velocity impacts such as RB's and LB's.  With OL, as you said, it would appear to be accumulative rather than an acute concussion situation.

Bigasshammm

March 6th, 2015 at 6:15 PM ^

Maybe the problem with all this lies in today's helmets. I do not remember ever hearing about stories like this 15-20 years ago. Whether they just weren't understood or what there has to be something in helmet design that can help this. If the helmets end up looking like space balls who cares if you're not eating from a straw in 20 years.