That would be Dominic Raiola, the starting center for the Detroit Lions. Raiola, born in Hawaii, and college career at Nebraska, has been a fixture at center for the Lions since about the time the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan started. That's a good while, in the NFL. It's probably a safe bet to say that, as a center, Raiola has crashed into a defensive lineman on thousands of plays over the years. The man knows about serious contact. No doubt, in the course of his duties, he's had his "bell rung" a few times as well.
NFL fans know that many former players have a class action lawsuit pending against the league regarding injuries they suffered over their careers. A great deal of their individual complaints involve the long term effects on their brains after having endured so many collisions during their "playing days". It's been well documented that a lot of those guys are very prematurely suffering from symptoms that are normally associated with much older age, if ever.
They have a good point. Without getting into how much the pads, helmets, and even the rules have changed over the years attempting to maximize safety in a brutal sport -- the fact remains the NFL is a multi-billion dollar industry. One would think the fat-cat owners would at least see fit to take care of the medical costs and needs of those that laid the foundation for the success and riches they now enjoy. A few million here or there amongst a conglomerate of billionaire owners would seem to be chump change in their world, yet they resist.
The modern day players might not be much bigger than those that played in the last few decades, but given the conditioning regimens they go through, pumping iron and such, they're certainly a lot stronger. "Faster" is indisputable. Nowadays, even the huge linemen are impressive with their open-field speed. Add all that up and the collisions that take place on every play, in every game, in the NFL are more violent than ever. Guys get hurt sometimes. It goes with the territory. At that, in recent years, a lot of the players come into the league like they're Evel Knievel, especially on "special teams". They're more than willing to throw their bodies around at high speeds, and even get wrecked here and there in their pursuit of glory, while not considering what might happen later. It's not like they're ignorant of what's really going on, like their forefathers in the NFL. These guys have agents, advisors, and are even advised at rookie orientation of the perils that come with the job. If that's what they want to do -- then fine -- but no whining about it later if something terrible happens. Besides that, also unlike their forefathers, these guys are making big bucks. If they want to blow it all on clubs, women, fancy cars and houses, and the like, instead of saving some of it for what comes after football -- which could be their next game -- then that's THEIR fault.
Enter Dominic Raiola again. He's gone on the record as saying that while he's well aware of the possible not-so-good consequences that may await him at a still relatively young age when he's done playing NFL football, he wants to keep doing it anyway -- because he loves the game so much. No matter what might happen later in his life -- it will be worth it to have had done what he's doing now.
Some might call that dedication. Others might say Dom should get out while his brains are still intact, because the very next play from scrimmage could change that.
Me? I call it "telling it like it is".
Bravo to Mr. Raiola, and here's hoping he gets to taste a Super Bowl -- soon. Of course retiring back to the friendly confines of Hawaii wouldn't be all bad either. It would surely beat the hell out of living out one's golden years in Nebraska.
If he ever decides to opt for corn over hula girls, then I'm afraid the damage has already been done. Alas.
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