Yeah, I know.....it's part of the game. Hell, I played so I've had my fill of on ice calamities. But I was lucky enough not to have any very serious injuries. Nothing like what I saw last night. Donald Audette, in an attempt to stop a breakaway, slid under a Ranger and had his wrist cut by a skate. The images of this were so intense, I had to turn away from the screen. It turned my stomach. It reminded me of the broken ankle that Joe Thiesman received as a result of a Lawrence Taylor sack back in the mid 80's. As they showed that replay over and over again.....I cringed with pain. I still can't look at that replay.

As I've already stated, it's part of the game. So why am I whining about it ? Because I am reminded of just how dangerous sports can be. The players know it. We all know it. More so in hockey and football than the others, players are subject to possible life threatening injuries each time they play. We've seen guys paralyzed, disfigured and damaged for life. We have even seen players lose their life. If you think about it....it's downright scary. That's why I claimed that I didn't think about it. Pro players will tell you they never think about it either. Bullshit ! I thought about it and so do the pros......it's just that there's nothing you can do about it and you can't worry about things you can't control. So you try to put it out of your mind. But trust me....it's there.

I remember during a playoff game about five years ago, a player on the other team broke his arm. The bone was sticking out.....I couldn't look. After he was carted away I scraped the blood off the ice, took a deep breath and forgot about it. Looking back in my mind I can still see the whole thing. I can still hear the screams of pain. I can still feel the queasiness in my stomach. But I also remember that I was able to block it out and win the game.

Ask the Rodent......he had an on ice injury that changed his life for ever. Bet he will tell you that he can still recall every scary thought he had all those years ago. It never quite goes away........it may be suppressed....but it's in there. And try as you may, you can never forget.

It's bad enough that a single incident can end a career or change your life but there is something else to consider when discussing sports injuries. The cumulative effect that the constant pounding on the body has. That's what I'm dealing with now. Not a day goes by that I'm not reminded that I abused my body. There are many example of ex-players whose days are filled with pain. I just read this morning that Bobby Orr will have his 15th knee operation. JD has had his knees replaced. The list is endless.

Those that have played sports at a high level know all too well how dangerous it can be. I guess I'm writing this for those who have not. You need to understand that the risk is high, we know it and we play anyway. The next time I skate, I won't even think about Audette and the images I saw last night. I won't think about the possibilities of injury. But trust me......in the back of my mind, it's there......and it's all too real.

----}- Bird

Recent Articles Versus Playoff Coverage Road Trip Pics

Web Hockeybird.com