We all know them, the “too-tough-to-quit-guys” who have a story to tell about when they were first string on their football team or made all conference or state one, two or three.

Those guys had promises of scholarships and full rides based on athletic performance throughout high school.

Interestingly enough you won’t see them on any teams or rosters, and why? Because they played through whatever injury they endured during practice or a game against a doctor’s orders and — bingo — you’ve got your bench warmer.

It’s sad when someone suffers an injury from the get-go that puts them out of business for the rest of their athletic opportunity, but it’s stupid when someone can recover from an injury and still plays which ends up knocking them out for life.

A famous example is Rocky Balboa. The doc told him that one more hit could not only take him out, but possibly kill him. He may not be dead, but can any one understand the man?

Rocky Balboa: Hey yo, Mick, what do I got to chase a chicken for?

Mickey: First, because I said so. And second, is because chicken-chasing is how we used to train back in the old days. If you can catch this thing, you can catch greased lighting.

Rocky Balboa: Well, I'll do it if you say so, but it isn’t very mature.

Mickey: Yeah, well neither are you, very mature!

Gazo: How's about investing in condominiums? It's safe.

Rocky: Condominiums?

Gazo: Yeah, condominiums.

Rocky: I never use 'em.

Maybe I destroyed my point because everybody, for some reason, wants to be Rocky. But how about the real life cases, the recent and tragic case of Andre Waters who suffered quite a few head injuries that are believed to contribute directly to his suicide on Nov. 20, 2006, being one of them.

So as much as they want to play, should they really risk the future bench time to come or possibly a seat in the stands for one or two games on an injury? Seems stupid to me, but what do I know is that I’m not an athlete, and maybe you should listen to the doctor.

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