Comments about ‘Dick Harmon: Should Austin Collie take his concussions and walk away from the NFL?’

Austin Collie doesn't have much to fall back on. He quit before he graduated from college. He had stars in his eyes and the drive and determination to make it big in the pros springing from his standout performance as a BYU player. He also has a huge ego. I can see why he will stay with the Colts.

He's been living right so he should be fine.

I've seen the play that gave him the concussion, and it looks to me that the defensive player is hitting him the head with his forearm. Why is the NFL allowing such a play, especially when he's already tackled and not able to defend himself?

He's living his and many other's dream, tough decision to quit and walk away.
Best wishes to him.

Concussions are overrated. Steve Young had a zillion and he is fine. Junior Seau did not kill himself because he had a concussion and you can never prove it. All the NFL guys pilling onto this class action lawsuit are broke and need some cash.

Keep on playing if you want to. Chances are you are going to be just fine.

BYUalum - I believe Collie has played long enough now to collect the NFL pension for the rest of his life. I think he will be just fine.

And to any fan (a fellow Ute or otherwise) who decides to throw out the Magic Happens garbage in this discussion - that is just flat out weak. Collie has an issue with brain injuries - that really isn't the time to spout off rivalry smack. Give it a rest.

It's a no-brainer (which is what it will be if he continues playing). Football is fun, it's not that important. He has money to go back to school, even retire (if done correctly). In 20 years, he'd be better off walking his daughter down the altar than sitting in a wheelchair in the corner. As much as he loves football, he is young and vital and can easily take up a new hobby. It's an unfortunate injury, he will be missed, but look at the big picture!

My first reaction is to say he should quit. But, I don't know what his doctors are seeing and telling him. I just hope he makes the best decision with the information he has.

Re: Henry Drummond. The NFL absolutely needs to clean up the "high-light" hit syndrome they have. Too often you see DBs throwing their whole bodies into people to deliver the huge hit. They aren't even trying to wrap them up in a clean tackle anymore. All because they want to be on Sportscenter. That needs to stop.

Referring back to Steve Young, I still contend the damage that ended his career did not come in the Arizona game. It came the week before, when a Saints player jumped in the air with his hands at his side and head butted Young; helmet on helmet. That kind of dirty garbage is never acceptable.

Best of luck to Austin. I have enjoyed watching him play. He is a talented young man. It's to bad that we have some boneheaded fans in this state that cant appreciate players from THE OTHER TEAM.

BYUAlum, do your really mean what you have written? First of all, life is not over just because someone lacks college degree. Bill Gates, Michael Dell and a few other billionaires might disagree. Austin is clearly an intelligent person and is well connected. He will earn over a million dollars this year alone, which would be enough seed capital for a venture that could set him up for life.

As for the ego, I'm not in a position to judge as you seem to be. But no body becomes a professional wide receiver without a great deal of confidence and some swagger. If he is cocky I don't see that as a character defect. We can't surmise from his "ego" that he yells at his kids and kicks his dog. He spent two years serving his church in Argentina and one time ran down a punk who had stolen his watch (or was it wallet, I forget). Clearly that required a lot of confidence and tenacity.

All in all, I don't know that you are being fair; I suppose it could be envy. I think Austin has a lot to fall back on.

Okay, let's get back on topic:

Riley Nelson's style of play is incompatible with his health. No NFL team will touch him because he is so prone to injuries, regardless of how good he is.

James Lark sat on the bench unable to even show what he could do. We were amazed by his play last week. If he were to pull off a similar performance against San Diego he might still get a chance with the NFL.

Lark is better than Nelson if Nelson is not 100%. Lark might be better than Nelson when Nelson is 110%.

Let Riley heal and step in to fill Larks shoes if there is an injury.