Big Ben's Night Out

Awesome.

 

I'm not lecturing you, OoP. I wouldn't dare -- you already know everything.

 

The 5 Stages of Yinzer Grief: Anger, Denial, Denial, Denial, Denial

 

First sensible thing you have ever posted.

 

You mean all those "Yinzers" in Pittsburgh mailing his jerseys back and screaming that they want him gone?

 

Somehow, until today, I had forgotten that in 2006 Roethlisberger was knocked unconscious during the Falcons game, then played the next week at Oakland. He threw four interceptions -- two returned for touchdowns -- during a 20-13 loss that dropped the Steelers to 2-5. The defense did its part that day, too, holding the Raiders to only 98 total yards.

Just wanted to put that on the record, because obviously, the Steelers were just as reckless with Roethlisberger's head as they were with Polamalu's before concussions became the hot-topic issue of 2009 in the NFL. No double standard.

 

Different coaching staff, and Roethlisberger's concussion didn't draw nearly as much attention then. Also, that was Roethlisberger's second reported concussion, not his seventh. Concussions are definitely treated differently now, but that is not the only difference.

Edit: Fixed. Forgot that it was after the motorcycle accident. The Steelers really did handle Roethlisberger horribly in '06. But still, that was a different coaching staff. That was Cowher's final season.

 

My point is that while particular scientists have aggressively pursued the idea that football is causing brain damage that's leading to the problems you're seeing, others -- who aren't getting much traction because it's sexier to run down the sport -- are noting that most of the guys you're noticing problems with here were known steroids users.
I read a long magazine article about this last year. Don't want to name the publication, because I'm not entirely sure which it was. But about 7/8 of the article was devoted to the brain damage argument, and then at the end there's one scientist saying, Hey, what about roids? And knowing what I know about the players in question, that makes more sense.

 

For what it's worth, most of the "Yinzers" I knew thought it was ridiculous to put Ben back out there the week after the ATL game, and certainly after he played a series or two and showed he had nothing. I didn't disagree with much that Cowher did, but that was a tremendous mistake.

 

Concussions don't make you wear a devil shirt and corner sorority chicks in a bathroom. They make your head hurt. Pig Ben didn't turn into the guy from Memento just becaue he banged his head a few times.

Alcohol and other drugs cause you to make stupid decisions.

 

OOP and Ben work through the issue
;D



Ben: So what does it say? Ben has an concussion disorder? Fear of rejection? Is that why I do those things with my penis ... to women?
OOP: Didn't know you had. Wanna talk about it?
[Ben shakes his head, stares off]
OOP: It's not your fault.
Ben: [Softly, still staring off] I know...
OOP: No you don't. It's not your fault.
Ben: [Serious] I know.
OOP: No. Listen to me son. It's not your fault. It was the concussions. The motorcycle. The drinking. The chicks who want it, but are afraid to say so.
Ben: I know that.
OOP: It's not your fault.
[Ben is silent, eyes closed]
OOP: It's not your fault.
Ben: [eyes open, misty already] Don't fuck with me OOP. Not you.
OOP: It's not your fault.
[Ben shoves OOP back, and then, hands trembling, buries his face in his hands. Ben begins sobbing. OOP puts his hands on Ben's shoulders, and Ben grabs him and holds him close, crying]
Ben: Oh my God! I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry OOP!

 

I honestly believe your theory is nothing more than pitiful excuse-making, but that's just my silly little opinion.

But say that you are right.... Then why the F would you want a horrible decision-maker with a fucked up brain, leading your football team, with the ball in his hands.