http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/146035...y-football

The perils of being in a weekly car wreck.

Quote:"If I could go back, I wouldn't," he said to the Post-Gazette. "I would play baseball. I got drafted by the Cubs in the 14th round, but I didn't play baseball because of my parents. They made me go to school. Don't get me wrong, I love the game of football. But right now, I could still be playing baseball."

Hindsight is 20/20, of course. Never know how things will go in either sport when deciding on a path.

But yeah, I'd pick baseball over football if I'm thinking about my overall well-being and longevity, both physically and mentally. Baseball's a nicer day job.

Although if you get stuck in AA/AAA minor league purgatory and don't make the cut for the big leagues, the salary difference between it and the NFL is ridiculously massive. Basically <$20,000 (minor leagues) vs. $435,000 (NFL rookie bare minimum salary) per season.

Tough call.

Easy to say from his armchair with a fat bank account made possible via the NFL.

Lots of baseball players get hefty signing bonuses if they are drafted high enough out of high school and don't have to wait 3 years to get paid as NFL requires. If they don't make it in baseball they can always go back to football. if they were a talented enough football player, some school will give them a chance. There are Hundreds of colleges that offer scholarship football (FBS, FCS, D2 & NAIA)

(01-21-2016 10:50 AM)Lord Stanley Wrote:  Easy to say from his armchair with a fat bank account made possible via the NFL.

Not knowing his situation, he may be spending $ on physical therapy, medications or treatments either not covered by insurance or only partially covered that would not have been needed if he had not played football and likely would not be needed if he played baseball.

Have some empathy.

Just to point out, the article says "In the interview with Dan Patrick, he said he doesn't regret playing football, pointing out that he won a Super Bowl with the Steelers, was compensated well in his career and was given a platform to reach young people after his career"

If anyone goes into football thinking they aren't going to get hurt, that's crazy. That's the basic idea behind a football career - you're going to play until you're too hurt to play. If you're going to be a good football player, you need to push your body to the limit on every play

Sounds like a great sport.