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Injuries, meds doomed BYU football star
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Conejo | 1:20 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
Is it "Football players who have problems" month? This is the third
article I have read in the past week about football players who have been
addicted to pain killers. It is kind of getting old.
Anonymous | 2:28 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
Why the focus on BYU athletes?
Comments continue below
at all costs?? | 2:55 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
I don't mind if we see 50 articles of this sort if it brings change. It
wouldn't be old to Conejo if it were his son.
I'm quite sure football isn't the only area where people die of addiction because of pressure to perform. Players, coaches and staff all need to get serious and be more explicit, and change current procedures to avoid this repeating. What are BYU, Utah and other universities doing differently now or are we headed for more disasters?
I'm a big football fan but we have to be honest to say there is a big price to pay for all these guys in college and NFL that they pay for the rest of their short little lives.
I'm quite sure football isn't the only area where people die of addiction because of pressure to perform. Players, coaches and staff all need to get serious and be more explicit, and change current procedures to avoid this repeating. What are BYU, Utah and other universities doing differently now or are we headed for more disasters?
I'm a big football fan but we have to be honest to say there is a big price to pay for all these guys in college and NFL that they pay for the rest of their short little lives.
Concussions | 4:26 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
Concussions are pretty serious, though we know more about them today (not enough
though) then we did when Brad played.
Because of the concussion, you have to question whether the doctors and coaches made the correct decision to play a kid who had suffered a concussion and who especially had lost consciousness the day before.
It's just unfortunate that you earn respect in sports like football by endangering your health, it's not enough to just be tough when you are safely capable. Playing with injuries is a necessary part of the game, but when a player wants to cross a line the doctors and coaches need to step in more often than they do. You simply cannot leave it up to the players.
Even with the obvious symptoms of playing erratically and not at all like Brad normally played, he stayed in the game. So sad.
Because of the concussion, you have to question whether the doctors and coaches made the correct decision to play a kid who had suffered a concussion and who especially had lost consciousness the day before.
It's just unfortunate that you earn respect in sports like football by endangering your health, it's not enough to just be tough when you are safely capable. Playing with injuries is a necessary part of the game, but when a player wants to cross a line the doctors and coaches need to step in more often than they do. You simply cannot leave it up to the players.
Even with the obvious symptoms of playing erratically and not at all like Brad normally played, he stayed in the game. So sad.
Out of control physicians? | 4:29 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
"...kind of getting old." Are you kidding? This shocking trend of
'give 'em a pil and look the other way' is killing people. Seems
to go against the hypocratic oath. Thanks DNews for exposing this important
story at BYU.
lds member | 5:17 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
BYU stone sober..... How about Pill pushing????
BYU has a real problem.... The Brethren had better get the drug problem undercontrol... Maybe BYU has focused too much on sports instead of souls!!!
All this in the name of sports!!!!
SHAME on you BYU!!!!!!
The more I hear about BYU the more I want my daughter to stay clear!!!!
BYU has a real problem.... The Brethren had better get the drug problem undercontrol... Maybe BYU has focused too much on sports instead of souls!!!
All this in the name of sports!!!!
SHAME on you BYU!!!!!!
The more I hear about BYU the more I want my daughter to stay clear!!!!
late90scoug | 5:27 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
I remember Brad well. Very tragic. Pain Rx addiction is more common than anyone
knows, among athletes and the general population.
Jim | 6:12 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
You could find a litany of players with similar plights at schools all across
the country.
Craig | 6:42 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
This is all too common in all competitive sports. There is a clear need to
separate the medical care from team staff. Coaching staff doctors have a
conflict of interest that prevents them from performing their duties without
consideration for the team. I do agree with other BYU alumni that this
situation should never have occured among honest individuals.
Dutchmand | 6:52 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
Maybe Bronco should sponsor more "firesides" and have his players
speak to youth about the dangers of prescription drugs.
re: lds Member | 7:01 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
FYI,
BYU is not the only school in the country or the state responible for "pill pushing". As much as a Utah fan that I am, Brian Johnson probably returned A week or Two early. As a fan I am glad as an individual I am concerned. The people who need to get this problem under control are not the "brethren" it is the NCAA and the coaches. And unfortunately parents becasuse this happens at the high school level as well. These individuals need to let these kids know that there is more to life than the glory of sports and that winning at all costs will take a toll. I am sad for the Martin family and hope that some way there tragic loss will help another one be avoided.
BYU is not the only school in the country or the state responible for "pill pushing". As much as a Utah fan that I am, Brian Johnson probably returned A week or Two early. As a fan I am glad as an individual I am concerned. The people who need to get this problem under control are not the "brethren" it is the NCAA and the coaches. And unfortunately parents becasuse this happens at the high school level as well. These individuals need to let these kids know that there is more to life than the glory of sports and that winning at all costs will take a toll. I am sad for the Martin family and hope that some way there tragic loss will help another one be avoided.
Jason | 7:02 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
How do you fix the problem if students are getting pills outside the schools
doctors. Do you stop giving pain killers all together? A school might feel
like they are giving the right dosage, but if the person is also getting it
secretly online or others, it is nearly impossible to stop.
I really feel for Brad and his family. I don't think I can even imagine the depression and dispair he went through. I have family members who suffer with drug addition (not athletes) and it is such a hard thing to get over.
I really feel for Brad and his family. I don't think I can even imagine the depression and dispair he went through. I have family members who suffer with drug addition (not athletes) and it is such a hard thing to get over.
sob | 7:08 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
what is disturbing is that this is a story that has made the rounds for a long
time, ie lots of pain killers at byu, look back thru the archives and you
will see many stories where someone who played at the y had a problem later in
life with addiction. as a state utah also leads the nation in prescription
drug abuse....perhaps the notion that if a dr. says its ok then its not a
drug........
Gretzky | 7:09 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
has there been an investigation into the team Doctors' abilities to
administer pain medications? sounds like these team docs don't know what
they are doing from foot injuries to hand injuries to now pain reduction
administration. BYU needs to have podiatrists and anesthesiologists who
specialize in pain reduction (outpatient not inpatient pain clinic medicine) on
staff, not just orthopods who know nothing about clinical medicine outside of a
knee, shoulder or hip joint.
dh | 7:10 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
this sort of "pressure to play hurt" all starts in high school. Ask
any high school athlete and he/she will tell you that they were expected to play
hurt or lose their position. Coaches say they care but they really don't
care as much as they should. Coaches care about winning more and the kids pay
the price. Also, the out of balace culture we live in today that emphasizes
sports and entertainment more than academics is also to blame. Again, it all
starts in high school. This story is tragic but very very representitive of what
is going on all over high school and college athletics.
Jeff L. | 7:13 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
I am as far from being a BYU fan as anyone you will find and this problem goes
way beyond just BYU. It's at every University and level of sports starting
with High School. And as players continue to get bigger,stronger and faster it
will just get worse. It's very disheartening.
Floyd | 7:16 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
This problem is far more reaching than most want to admit.
Where does the "No Pain No Gain" attitude comes from? From Von Collin to Atkinson. These players have been taught to "tuff it out" since Little league football.
Take a moment to think about how you as parents (especially dad's) teach their children in sports. When you child gets hurt what is your first response? What is the coaches? Stop crying, this is football. I have seen this attitude for 15 years of officiating.
This problem is not just at BYU, it at Utah Weber State USU. It's the current philosopy of football coaches in general.
Until we teach our kids that winning at all cost is not the way to go. You will contiune to see tragic stories as Dnews has put in paper these last three or four days.
Where does the "No Pain No Gain" attitude comes from? From Von Collin to Atkinson. These players have been taught to "tuff it out" since Little league football.
Take a moment to think about how you as parents (especially dad's) teach their children in sports. When you child gets hurt what is your first response? What is the coaches? Stop crying, this is football. I have seen this attitude for 15 years of officiating.
This problem is not just at BYU, it at Utah Weber State USU. It's the current philosopy of football coaches in general.
Until we teach our kids that winning at all cost is not the way to go. You will contiune to see tragic stories as Dnews has put in paper these last three or four days.
Anon | 7:19 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
If you are getting tired of reading these stories of prescription drug
addiction, you should know that these stories are is only the tip of the
iceberg. Hopefully, shining a light on the problem will help the medical people
realize what a problem it is.
More than football | 7:20 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
The issues behind this kind of sad story extend far beyond football. The
pressure to succeed at all costs exists in most every profession and even with
our small children. Each generation seems to be getting worse with the desire to
push our children in to this or that extracurricular activity. If we just have
some fun we have failed to measure up. Parents sit and talk about all the things
their kids are doing, almost like it is a status symbol to have your kids
involved in as many thing as possible.
We are killing ourselves because of the pressure to be the best, to have the best, instead of just trying to enjoy life.
We are killing ourselves because of the pressure to be the best, to have the best, instead of just trying to enjoy life.
MWC Fan In New England | 7:29 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
What a strange and sorry story this tells of BYU:
The one place on earth parents hope they can send their children to protect them and nurture them, turns out to be more interested in money and footbal victories than the physical and spiritual health of the students.
The picture of Brad playing with stitches in his head the day after a traffic accident ought to be exhibit one in the massive lawsuit against the BYU football factory!
Compare that to another story: Up north in Idaho, an excellent football player in a nationally ranked "gentile" school (Boise State) who had a real chance of winning a Heisman was foced by the team to miss two games after he was injured on the field, and was kept in a hospital - not given drugs and forced to play.
What a contrast. The very school that should NEVER put an athlete on the field with stitches in his head is now saying "... we did everything right ....". No, Boise State did everything right; BYU sold Brad's soul and health for a bottle of pills.
I would NEVER send my kids to such a careless "football factory"!
The one place on earth parents hope they can send their children to protect them and nurture them, turns out to be more interested in money and footbal victories than the physical and spiritual health of the students.
The picture of Brad playing with stitches in his head the day after a traffic accident ought to be exhibit one in the massive lawsuit against the BYU football factory!
Compare that to another story: Up north in Idaho, an excellent football player in a nationally ranked "gentile" school (Boise State) who had a real chance of winning a Heisman was foced by the team to miss two games after he was injured on the field, and was kept in a hospital - not given drugs and forced to play.
What a contrast. The very school that should NEVER put an athlete on the field with stitches in his head is now saying "... we did everything right ....". No, Boise State did everything right; BYU sold Brad's soul and health for a bottle of pills.
I would NEVER send my kids to such a careless "football factory"!
Why single out BYU? | 7:43 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
Two articles in the past week on BYU players becasue why? This only happens at
BYU? Is the list to long at Utah for Athletes who abuse pain killers or other
drugs?
I think this is a serious issue, but for people to be narrow minded enough to think that it only exists at BYU so you feel justified piling on BYU hate posts. You are sick and somewhat bigoted.
I think this is a serious issue, but for people to be narrow minded enough to think that it only exists at BYU so you feel justified piling on BYU hate posts. You are sick and somewhat bigoted.
Truly sad but... | 7:57 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
Both Atkinson and Martin were prescribed pain killers to help with pain. Yes.
But their big boys, if you feel like you can't go, then don't go
period. Star athletes do it every week, it's called sitting out. Plus,
both of them went outside of their prescriptions and dosage to abuse the
medications. These articles throw BYU under the bus, but BYU didn't
prescribe the abuse of the painkillers, they took that part of it into their own
hands, and this in neither article is this pointed out. My question is, should
all doctors/ortho's stop prescribing pain killers? No. People need to stop
abusing the prescriptions period.
What more can be done? | 8:03 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
Before we lay blame, remember honesty is assumed whenever players interact with
a coach, trainer or a team physician. If the player downplays symptoms or lies
about their symptoms or what 'other medications' they are taking, if a
player misrepresents injuries from a crash or obtains medications outside of the
system what if anything can a concerned coach or physician do?
No matter how concerned or suspicious a coach may be they cannot search the players bedrooms or bags everytime they enter the locker room. Addiction and dishonesty are bedfellows here and addicted individuals often do a great job of hiding what is really going on even from those closest to them.
In general, while there are a few rare bad apples, most coaches, trainers, team physcians, etc. want to win but are first and foremost on the sides of the players and only want whats best for them. However a player who lies can make this almost impossible at least until it is very late in the game.
No matter how concerned or suspicious a coach may be they cannot search the players bedrooms or bags everytime they enter the locker room. Addiction and dishonesty are bedfellows here and addicted individuals often do a great job of hiding what is really going on even from those closest to them.
In general, while there are a few rare bad apples, most coaches, trainers, team physcians, etc. want to win but are first and foremost on the sides of the players and only want whats best for them. However a player who lies can make this almost impossible at least until it is very late in the game.
notinUtahanymore | 8:06 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
This is a terribly sad story, and obviously one that needs to be told...but did
anyone else notice that this happened over a YEAR ago? Why is this being brought
up now? And why only BYU? This is NOT a BYU-only problem, folks! There are
trainers, coaches and doctors all over the country-and probably available in
some way at EVERY college in the country- who take the athlete's word for
it that "I'm okay...just give me something for this" and dispense
meds. I'm sure some of them are in good faith, others don't care, and
still others may worry that if they don't do what the athlete wants,
they'll be sued later for not letting them play. Athletics and legalities
walk a very fine line in all aspects these days -- and its absolutely ridiculous
to assume its just at BYU - although it does make for a more spectacular story,
doesn't it? My sister played college basketball for 3 different colleges
and had trainers that freely dispensed prescription meds at all three (none in
Utah & none LDS schools, by the way).
Mr New England | 8:09 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
Don't look further than the abusers to put blame plain and simple. Every
day people are given painkillers to help them perform in their daily tasks.
Returning to the football field is no different than returning to work doped up.
People are told not to drive while taking these painkillers, but they still do.
It's called agency. Adults need to use their own judgment. The kid
wanted to be on the field more than anyone, so he was out there. Don't
blame the school. Don't worry about your kid playing at BYU, send him to a
school that doesn't have doctors who prescribe painkillers, which would
land him in some 3rd world country. Get Real Buddy.
Football | 8:19 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
I knew a BYU Law grad who go hooked on prescription meds. Why the focus on
football players? Everyone is susceptible.
Get Real | 8:21 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
Look - Regardless of whether it is BYU or some other college, the story is
written to show an issue that should be taken seriously. It highlights the
recent passing of a BYU player who became addicted to pain medicine. That's
it. It is a local newspaper, taking a local issue and making a point for all to
digest and do something about. Its called journalism.
As for whether this tarnishes the "stone cold" view of BYU or not really doesn't matter. So get off your freakin' self righteous, finger pointing, fault-finding attitudes and move the heck on. Let's solve the issue.
As for whether this tarnishes the "stone cold" view of BYU or not really doesn't matter. So get off your freakin' self righteous, finger pointing, fault-finding attitudes and move the heck on. Let's solve the issue.
Lori | 8:23 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
My husband is an anesthesiologist who specialized in pain management. He has
also experienced severe pain when he was in a horrific motorcycle accident and
nearly lost his leg. It is our experience that pain control/management is one of
the worst deficiencies among doctors generally. Pain management is not taught in
medical school. The typical "pain management" among surgeons and other
docs is to prescribe pills that have multiple side-effects and have the
potential to become habit forming. It is poor medical care. There are better
ways to treat pain. But there are no instant cures for injuries and that's
when wisdom should take over.
It is awful what happened to Brad and sadly he has some responsibility too. I am a HUGE football fan, but it is just a game and not worth risking lives for. I'm also a BYU Grad and agree that it should never happen at BYU, but let's not lump the whole institution in with a few individuals with questionable judgment.
It is awful what happened to Brad and sadly he has some responsibility too. I am a HUGE football fan, but it is just a game and not worth risking lives for. I'm also a BYU Grad and agree that it should never happen at BYU, but let's not lump the whole institution in with a few individuals with questionable judgment.
to: lds member | 8:24 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
Please, members of the church are just as suseptible to these things as everyone
else. Don't be putting blame on BYU for these things. We are all humans
trying to get by. Everyone has weaknesses and faults, and people at BYU are no
different than anywhere else. I recently graduated and I can assure you your
daughter would have a great experience, especially if she is very active. There
are good and bad at BYU, just like everywhere else, but at BYU there is a sense
of security and comfort that does not exist anywhere else.
I'm tired of people finding every little fault in BYU they can. It's not a perfect school, but remember the men who speak to you twice a year are the ones who run this school, so they do all they can to make it as good as it can be, and they have no control over what happens to people in their personal lives.
I'm tired of people finding every little fault in BYU they can. It's not a perfect school, but remember the men who speak to you twice a year are the ones who run this school, so they do all they can to make it as good as it can be, and they have no control over what happens to people in their personal lives.
Been there | 8:27 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
I played at BYU and ALL players I meen ALL players know the complications of
these meds. Can BYU possibly do a better job....????? All the doctors and
trainers that I ever delt with in 5 years were some of the best men I have ever
know and they look out for what is best for the athlete. Lavell would never
push a player to play it was always the call of the med staff. Some Assistant
coaches over the years might have placed pressure on the athlete to play, but
you cannot control every one. Addiction is typically pretty quick and it
becomes a silent addiction that unless you are with this person all the time, it
is hard to nail down.
ryguy | 8:32 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
As a former BYU student and current physician, these articles have drawn my
attention. I am faced with this issue almost daily. It is a concern of all the
physicians I work with. Here's what we do. No new patient to our clinic is
prescribed narcotics on their initial visit. This is to curb
"drug-seekers". Non-narcotic prescriptions are always considered
first. Narcotics are given out in small quanities with no refills. Prescriptions
are not refilled early, and if there is any questionable behavior, we can run a
report that checks for any controlled prescriptions the patient has received
from us or any other provider. Patients are referred to pain specialists if
their pain persists beyond a reasonable period. No physician is perfect.I know
I've given narcotics to a patient who turned out to be a "drug
seeker". However, at our clinic we try hard to help patients with their
pain and keep in mind the devastating effect addiction can cause.
technology | 8:36 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
with computer technology....and finger printing...we could lick this abuse
quick...the question is do the doctors and the drug companies want to? I blame
the doctors more than I blame BYU...why are you writing prescriptions to people
you haven't examined or drug tested?
Hawk | 8:37 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
I don't know why this story is coming out now. Brad died about a year ago.
Why report on it now?
Darren | 8:39 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
The reason BYU should be singled out is because they are the ones always saying
that BYU is different. BYU isn't like other schools. Why is BYU after the
"glory of the world" so much in football that they are willing to
destroy lives. When it comes right down to it, BYU is just as willing to
sacrifice its athletes as any other school. That is what is truly disturbing.
Don't excuse Lavell | 8:43 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
The "it's always the call of the medical staff" excuse just means
that the coach will bury his head in the sand. If a player can't play, the
coach needs to sit him down and let the medical staff dictate the situation.
That puts too much pressure on the medical staff to drug them up to play.
Ras | 8:43 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
This has been a sad reality of football for years and it needs to change.
However, those that think that this happens only at BYU don't know much
about sports. Those that think this is the fault of the brethren don't
know much about the LDS church. Parents who would keep their kids out of BYU
because of this probably haven't supported their kids academically enough
to get in anyway.
Mo-Town | 8:46 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
To LDS Member- go ahead and send your daughter to another campus. The abuse
problems she will encounter anywhere else will be 10 fold. The worlds tough, get
used to it
r | 9:18 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
obviously many of you have never participated in college athletics. I can tell
you first hand that pain pills are available, but many things are "more
available" to you as an athlete than just a normal student. If you have
played or know someone who has played a sport at that level then you know 99% of
this comes from the athlete. We want to be out there. We want to perform. We
dedicate thousands of hours of our lives in practice for those few hours of
games or matches. There is no way a coach or a doctor could ever stop us. We
would just not report injuries if we knew they would make us sit out.
RE: HAWK | 10:30 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
Its a story illustrating the span, reach, and power of pain meds -- thus the
inclusion of Martin's death. Plus, responsible reporting takes time.
This story is so, so, so sad. I mean, this kid had it all, and Martin's addiction stemmed from his injuries, not b/c of his friday night search for illicit drugs. The pills -- plus circumstances -- got the best of this good looking, talented, smart child of GOD.
Im sure this story breaks God's heart more than ours b/c God knew the real story of Martin -- his potential, his abilities, his talents. God bless the Martin family.
This story is so, so, so sad. I mean, this kid had it all, and Martin's addiction stemmed from his injuries, not b/c of his friday night search for illicit drugs. The pills -- plus circumstances -- got the best of this good looking, talented, smart child of GOD.
Im sure this story breaks God's heart more than ours b/c God knew the real story of Martin -- his potential, his abilities, his talents. God bless the Martin family.
An LDS Utah Fan | 10:46 a.m. Oct. 29, 2007
Why is everyone so quick to blame BYU? This story isn't about BYU or Utah.
There is no rivalry here. It's not even a story about religion, which a lot
of you ignorant people seem to think it is. This is a tragic story about
addiction and loss. And to Conejo: these 3 stories about football players
addicted to painkillers might just as easily have been 3 old women, 3 teenagers,
3 CPAs, or 3 members of your family - these stories "that are getting
old" are about a lot more than football and they need to be told. Doctors
that abuse the system need to be punished.
Stand up | 12:00 p.m. Oct. 29, 2007
If team doctors or coaches are abusing the system, get rid of them. If
player's friends suspect something's wrong, say something. The problem
starts with young players & contines to get worse as they get older.
Somebody needs to take a stand against "winning at all costs". How
many more need to die?
A Fan | 1:44 p.m. Oct. 29, 2007
Rest in Peace Brad. You won't be forgotten soon.
Tyler Williams | 1:58 p.m. Oct. 29, 2007
This is news? How about writing about something that's really worth
writing about? And how about something current?
Texas Cougar | 2:38 p.m. Oct. 29, 2007
To "An LDS Utah Fan"- I couldn't agree more with you.
And to those who think prescription drug abuse isn't worth writing about...Think about the young people who may actually learn something from this story. As somebody who works with teenagers, let me tell you that pain-pill abuse by high schoolers (especially high school athletes) is a lot more prevalent than you'd imagine.
And to those who think prescription drug abuse isn't worth writing about...Think about the young people who may actually learn something from this story. As somebody who works with teenagers, let me tell you that pain-pill abuse by high schoolers (especially high school athletes) is a lot more prevalent than you'd imagine.
Former Ute | 2:56 p.m. Oct. 29, 2007
All I know as a former player who endured plenty of injuries "up on the
hill" is that head trainer of 20+ years Bill Bean is a saint who carefully
watches over the player for whom he is entrusted. Any hint of addiction or pill
seeking and you were in Bill's office with your position coach. Any hint
of any abuse and he was on you. Even our strength coach was scared of Bill.
I could have easily ended up this way had it not been for a head trainer who kept close tabs on his "docs" and followed up daily with his players. I can only hope and pray that many more battles with coaches are won by the Bill Bean's these days than by overzealous athletes and well-intended but often short-sighted coaches.
I could have easily ended up this way had it not been for a head trainer who kept close tabs on his "docs" and followed up daily with his players. I can only hope and pray that many more battles with coaches are won by the Bill Bean's these days than by overzealous athletes and well-intended but often short-sighted coaches.
Frustrated | 3:08 p.m. Oct. 29, 2007
Hey lds member, this is about more than just BYU and it has nothing to do with
the "Brethren". Stop looking for the bad in everything and look for
the good. Honestly, is your daughter really going to go to BYU and play
football or any other sport? No matter where she goes, that school will have
athletes with the exact same problem. There are probably people in your own
home ward with the problem and you're just unaware. Why don't you
start worrying about your own soul and let BYU do what they do best, which is
provide good quality education to all who attend. Stop bringing the Church into
everything and its practices into things where they have no business being.
Mother | 3:27 p.m. Oct. 29, 2007
Lots of blaming and evading and self agrandizing here. What can be done? Is
anybody reading?
The Fan in New England and the Former Ute just told you. Do what Boise State did! Do what Bill Bean did! Pain is debilitating and isolating. Keep you hands on your children. When you trust them into someone else's hands make sure they will watch over them, i.e., Boise State, Bill Bean.
That picture of this precious young boy in his football uniform and a big bandage on his head is heartbreaking, outrageous evidence that he was not in safe, caring hands. He was hurt and then hurt more. When he needed watchful care most he was betrayed.
The Fan in New England and the Former Ute just told you. Do what Boise State did! Do what Bill Bean did! Pain is debilitating and isolating. Keep you hands on your children. When you trust them into someone else's hands make sure they will watch over them, i.e., Boise State, Bill Bean.
That picture of this precious young boy in his football uniform and a big bandage on his head is heartbreaking, outrageous evidence that he was not in safe, caring hands. He was hurt and then hurt more. When he needed watchful care most he was betrayed.
Sports Fan | 3:46 p.m. Oct. 29, 2007
The article does not focus on BYU. It focuses on a tragic story that just
happened to be linked to BYU. This is happening all over the country. Having
experienced this with a brother, it is not a laughing matter. If you look at
the chemical makeup of some of these drugs, you can basically compare them to
prescription Heroin. It is serious stuff and when the prescription pills get
too expensive or they can't run fake orders for pills anymore, they go
right to the hardcorp stuff on the streets. It is a very slippery slope and if
you don't intervine quickly, it can be over before you know it. If you are
every suspicious of a loved one who is falling into this dark hole, do whatever
you can to get them out.
Easy Target | 3:56 p.m. Oct. 29, 2007
Like any article on BYU, the BYU haters will take their shots and "pile
on" because they hate. Period. That does not affect the real issue. Drug
addiction among "post-college athletes" is a real problem. It is a
problem for high schools (I attended a fireside last year of a Bingham High
School football player who died after addiction to OxyConten) and all across the
country. Thankfully it is being talked about. We as fans have as much
responsibility because we glorify the sport and support it. We need to demand
that just like steroids, pain pills be monitored more carefully.
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There is a lot of pressure to perform in college athletics, even at BYU.
This seems to be a big problem in college-players getting injured and getting hooked on pain pills. Coaches, trainers and even teammates need to step up and be more responsible and find ways to alleviate these situations and try to prevent them before they ever get serious.
You will be missed Brad.