After consulting with every doctor this side of Doogie Howser, Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman has made a rational, well-researched decision.Or maybe he's continuing to prove that he's absolutely crazy.
"I'm going to play," Merriman said via text message to the Union-Tribune. "I'll deal with it when it's time to get surgery."You read that correctly. Merriman, after being told by at least five doctors (counting the one employed by the team) that he needs knee surgery, is going to put off the surgery and play for the Chargers this season.
Merriman has two torn knee ligaments, and he's already acknowledged that he could be risking his career by continuing to play.
There's no question that every NFL player faces a certain amount of risk every time they put the pads on and play. It's a wonderful sport, but it's also extremely violent and unpredictable.
There's another part to this story, too.
I find myself agreeing more and more often with Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, and I think he absolutely nailed this one:
We think the team has an obligation to step in and to persuade Merriman to shut it down; instead, the team has issued a press release proclaiming that Merriman will play.Bottom line is that no employer should allow its allegedly valuable employee to cause this kind of risk to his/her body when there is an alternative. This isn't like a public safety officer (a cop or a fireman, for example) putting his/her life on the line by responding to a call for help. Those people sign up for such duty and are paid to put themselves at such risk.
With it looking increasingly unlikely that the Chargers will keep Merriman beyond the 2009 season, when his rookie contract expires, it looks like they're prepared to take advantage of his willingness to take long-term chances with his body, given that the franchise's window to win a Super Bowl is as wide as it's ever gonna get - and could begin closing soon.
... Regardless of the team's motivation, it's shameful that the organization is willing to let him play when it's clear that he shouldn't be taking such a huge risk with the present and future condition of a fairly important joint.
Merriman is a football player. He's not being paid to knowingly and willingly put his career on the line by playing with a known injury to a major part of his body. This goes beyond the assumed risk that every player has to deal with every day.
Instead, Merriman is making a bad decision that could cause irreparable harm to his body, and his employer is standing by and watching him do it.
Obviously, the Chargers can't force Merriman to have the surgery, but they don't appear to be making much of an effort to persuade him to do it.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-27-2008 @ 4:19PM
Garciahunter said...
Ok, this thing with Merriman is absolutely crazy. I completely understand both sides of the decision , i just think that beyond money, beyond winning, possibly winning a Super Bowl, a Pro-Bowl selection, or anything under the sun, why would you obviously risk the rest of your career at this point and time. He is a young guy still in his ROOKIE contract!!!! If his knee gets hit one good time it could all be over, everything he has wanted for many years gone, just like that. I also think San Diego should not play him and force his hand into getting the operation. But greed, arrogance, and non-loyalty by the team won't let that happen.
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8-27-2008 @ 6:05PM
david said...
why is this man held in such high regard
this guy is a cheater! does everyone forget he got caught..
maybe his ligaments would e stronger if he hadnt taken all those performance enhancing drugs. this guy is a scumbag
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8-28-2008 @ 7:51PM
Dan said...
you obviously are a raiderfan beacause the NFL is always adding new drugs to the list and he was taking that supplement since he was in college.plus the supplement he was taking didnt show it had any steroids in it
8-27-2008 @ 6:16PM
Rob Zepeda said...
Dude, Shawne went to no less than FOUR doctors for their opinions. He is making his own decisions on this one. This isn't the team in any way pressuring him to play. In fact, the team is prepared to go with the talented Jyles Tucker if Merriman can't go. And lets not forget about Shaun Phillips as well.
Merriman is a competitor and wants to win a championship. Since day one, he has stated his goal is to win a Super Bowl with the San Diego Chargers. This is his shot, he's not going to miss it.
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8-27-2008 @ 6:48PM
Rob said...
The guy is a moron. How can he push off or cut on half a knee. Compitition will exploit his new weakness and he will be gone by second game. One good block will do him in.
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8-27-2008 @ 7:54PM
dogs40 said...
I wonder what the insurance company that the Chargers use to insure all or a portion of Merriman's salary have to say?
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8-27-2008 @ 9:10PM
The Good American said...
Shawne Merriman is the finest Linebacker ever to play the game after his first 3 years. If he hadn't been busted for steroids, he would have SHATTERED the single season SACK RECORD. He had 17 1/2 sacks in only 12 games. I've seen this guy end the career of Priest Holmes with ONE HIT. Some IDIOT actually said he thought Mike Vrabel was as good as Shawne Merriman!!! Mike Vrabel is 6-2 250 lbs and runs a 4.8 forty. Shawne Merriman is 6-4 275 lbs and runs a 4.58 forty. A Shawne Merriman at 70% healthy is still WAYYYYY better than a 100% Demarcus Ware. AND THAT IS A FACT.
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8-28-2008 @ 12:04AM
Tim said...
The good american... "If he hadn't been busted for steroids," Well... no matter what stats he gets or how good he is, there will always be a * by his name now so anything you have to say is completly mute.
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8-28-2008 @ 6:20AM
David said...
How can he pass the physical??
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