Ricky Williams discusses concussions with Dan LeBatard

[SkapePhin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z6zWcuX5nQ

Gotta love Ricky, the ultimate contrarian, lol.

Disputes science, "No link between football and concussions."

I love that Ricky allows himself to think outside the box, and is now comfortable with being labeled "weird", but its hard to see where he is going with that. Just seems in denial about how the brain is a material organ that can be damaged by environmental forces. I know he is deep into his spirituality and its affect on his mind, so it might be difficult for him to comprehend that the brain is a physical computer that can be altered when damaged, and thus, alter one's personality and behavior.

 

[JayAngel]

I think it's more the combination of drugs, hormones, and hits to the head that affect your mentality later on in life. There have been many footballers who have the usual amount of minor concussions and never have issues after they retire. Just like there are other sports with examples of steroids/hits leading to depression/psychosis after retirement..the first and perfect example that comes to mind is Chris Benoit, wrestler.

About Ricky's comments...if you know anything about what he does, as far as spirituality, yoga, etc...you'd realize he means that every body/brain is different. It's more mind over matter concerning health when it comes to these spiritual types.
I've studied sciences and biology so I know it's hard to admit he's at all right, but if he thinks that with all of his mental power, he'll probably never have issues. The mind is very powerful thing and he's perfecting the use of it. So, I think I'm saying; he might be right.

 

[utahphinsfan]

I think it's more the combination of drugs, hormones, and hits to the head that affect your mentality later on in life. There have been many footballers who have the usual amount of minor concussions and never have issues after they retire. Just like there are other sports with examples of steroids/hits leading to depression/psychosis after retirement..the first and perfect example that comes to mind is Chris Benoit, wrestler.

About Ricky's comments...if you know anything about what he does, as far as spirituality, yoga, etc...you'd realize he means that every body/brain is different. It's more mind over matter concerning health when it comes to these spiritual types.
I've studied sciences and biology so I know it's hard to admit he's at all right, but if he thinks that with all of his mental power, he'll probably never have issues. The mind is very powerful thing and he's perfecting the use of it. So, I think I'm saying; he might be right.

When it comes to drugs, one can't help but think of Ozzy Osbourne.

I'll agree that every one is different and there is something to be said for will power & mind over matter.

The mind is everything. What you think you become. -- Buddha

 

[broccoli rob]

Ricky is definitely a bright guy. A good friend of mine, med student, went to Nova college in Davie. He'd see Ricky in there taking classes quite often. That being said, he is quite eccentric.

Needs to lay off the pot a little.

 

[broccoli rob]

I think it's more the combination of drugs, hormones, and hits to the head that affect your mentality later on in life. There have been many footballers who have the usual amount of minor concussions and never have issues after they retire. Just like there are other sports with examples of steroids/hits leading to depression/psychosis after retirement..the first and perfect example that comes to mind is Chris Benoit, wrestler.

Don't have a problem with most of your post, but Chris Benoit... Really? The guy was an abuser of steroids, pain killers, and lord knows what else. Force fed his own son pills before he ended his kids life. He definitely put a lot of hurt on his body while wrestling, but the guy had a preexisting mental issue that lead to drug abuse. Wrestling doesn't cause such a fiasco.

Junior Seau would be a far more appropriate example. Definitely think football was a catalyst in the growth of his mental illness.

 

[dolfan_101]

When it comes to drugs, one can't help but think of Ozzy Osbourne.

I'll agree that every one is different and there is something to be said for will power & mind over matter.

The mind is everything. What you think you become. -- Buddha

---------- Post added at 04:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:14 PM ----------

Ricky is definitely a bright guy. A good friend of mine, med student, went to Nova college in Davie. He'd see Ricky in there taking classes quite often. That being said, he is quite eccentric.

Needs to lay off the pot a little.

I'm pretty positive that's just who he is, it's all relative nonethelss.

 

[JayAngel]

Ricky is definitely a bright guy. A good friend of mine, med student, went to Nova college in Davie. He'd see Ricky in there taking classes quite often. That being said, he is quite eccentric.

Needs to lay off the pot a little.

What are you, a jet fan?

Umm what's him takin a few classes at Nova have to do with his brightness? And I heard he rarely went to that campus that one semester.

Regardless, he's "eccentric" to you. Maybe he's just way different than you. Are you the compass as to what's normal? Who wants to be normal, anyway...dare to be a little different. Ricky has studied, read, traveled so much more than "normal" people. He's wise. I rather have a 5 minute conversation with him than spend a day than any "normal" sheep.

And that last comment about pot is so unnecessarily pretentious. I don't think he smokes anymore and it's effed up to assume he still does.

 

[broccoli rob]

What are you, a jet fan?

Umm what's him takin a few classes at Nova have to do with his brightness? And I heard he rarely went to that campus that one semester.

Regardless, he's "eccentric" to you. Maybe he's just way different than you. Are you the compass as to what's normal? Who wants to be normal, anyway...dare to be a little different. Ricky has studied, read, traveled so much more than "normal" people. He's wise. I rather have a 5 minute conversation with him than spend a day than any "normal" sheep.

And that last comment about pot is so unnecessarily pretentious. I don't think he smokes anymore and it's effed up to assume he still does.

You heard he didn't attend class... OK. School isn't the reason he's a smart guy, I just thought some people on this board may not know he was doing that while he was in Miami.

They wouldn't have made an ESPN documentary on the guy if he wasn't eccentric. The man left the NFL to go live in a tent. I love the guy, not hating on him... Don't know what your problem is.

As far as i'm concerned, you have no idea who I am or what i've done. Way to pass judgement on me just for calling Ricky eccentric. Im a huge fan and the whole point of my post was saying he is bright. Damn dude calm down

Don't assume stuff about people you've never met. If you had any clue about the kind of person I am and what I have to go through every single day of my life you'd feel horrible for the comment you made about me. Someone you never met. Really classy.

 

[JayAngel]

Don't have a problem with most of your post, but Chris Benoit... Really? The guy was an abuser of steroids, pain killers, and lord knows what else. Force fed his own son pills before he ended his kids life. He definitely put a lot of hurt on his body while wrestling, but the guy had a preexisting mental issue that lead to drug abuse. Wrestling doesn't cause such a fiasco.

Junior Seau would be a far more appropriate example. Definitely think football was a catalyst in the growth of his mental illness.

Yes, really. Are you naive? You don't think footballers take steroids, pain killers, and "lord knows what else?" There's definitely a link between taking steroids(hormones), drugs, pain killers, "lord knows what else" and knocking your brain around in your skull...whether caused by football, or wrestling, or boxing, or whatever sport that causes a high number of concussions.
But I disagree with that notion that football, only, "catalyzes growth of mental illness."
Do we know every aspect of these football players lives? They could be doing anything to cause mental instability. How is that football's fault? Ricky is absolutely right that every body is different and what matters more is how well you take care of yourself.
Concussion is a broad term these days. Getting "knocked out" is a concussion and people get "knocked out" all the time. You mean to tell me if a MMA fighter gets knocked out repeatedly for years, then retires and starts smoking pot and drinking beer...if he ever kills himself, it's mixed martial art's fault?

What exactly is the "link" between football, concussions, and post-retirement depression?

 

[broccoli rob]

What are you, a jet fan?

Umm what's him takin a few classes at Nova have to do with his brightness? And I heard he rarely went to that campus that one semester.

Regardless, he's "eccentric" to you. Maybe he's just way different than you. Are you the compass as to what's normal? Who wants to be normal, anyway...dare to be a little different. Ricky has studied, read, traveled so much more than "normal" people. He's wise. I rather have a 5 minute conversation with him than spend a day than any "normal" sheep.

And that last comment about pot is so unnecessarily pretentious. I don't think he smokes anymore and it's effed up to assume he still does.

I mentioned the schooling because I figured some people on this board did not know he was doing that. School is obviously not the reason he is bright.

I love Ricky Williams, one of my all time favorites. The guy did leave the NFL to go live in a tent.

As far as im concerned, its not a wise thing to pass judgement on people you don't know. I am a little eccentric myself, how is that a diss?

I have a bitterness about smoking right now. I smoked marijuana every day for 6 years til my life fell apart. I just lost my grandfather to lung cancer 3 months ago, my grandmother too, my mom as well, and now my dad has throat cancer. I'm only 24. I take him to treatment every day, the last family member I have. Way to pass judgement on me dude. Yeah, i'm a real sheep.

You are a class act

 

[JayAngel]

You heard he didn't attend class... OK. School isn't the reason he's a smart guy, I just thought some people on this board may not know he was doing that while he was in Miami.

They wouldn't have made an ESPN documentary on the guy if he wasn't eccentric. The man left the NFL to go live in a tent. I love the guy, not hating on him... Don't know what your problem is.

As far as i'm concerned, you have no idea who I am or what i've done. Way to pass judgement on me just for calling Ricky eccentric. Im a huge fan and the whole point of my post was saying he is bright. Damn dude calm down

Don't assume stuff about people you've never met. If you had any clue about the kind of person I am and what I have to go through every single day of my life you'd feel horrible for the comment you made about me. Someone you never met. Really classy.

I thought you were a jet fan ridiculing his past, my mistake.
When did I pass judgement on you, the person behind the screen? LOL I'm only refering to the words you posted on a message board. You rubbed me the wrong way with your assumptions and criticisms. It is what it is, my bad.

EDIT:

I mentioned the schooling because I figured some people on this board did not know he was doing that. School is obviously not the reason he is bright.

I love Ricky Williams, one of my all time favorites. The guy did leave the NFL to go live in a tent.

As far as im concerned, its not a wise thing to pass judgement on people you don't know. I am a little eccentric myself, how is that a diss?

I have a bitterness about smoking right now. I smoked marijuana every day for 6 years til my life fell apart. I just lost my grandfather to lung cancer 3 months ago, my grandmother too, my mom as well, and now my dad has throat cancer. I'm only 24. I take him to treatment every day, the last family member I have. Way to pass judgement on me dude. Yeah, i'm a real sheep.

You are a class act

Again, I never passed any judgement on you. I never called you a sheep. I only asked questions about a comment you typed. Relax, bro. Sorry about your grandparents, take care.

 

[LikeUntoGod]

I'm a known "Ricky lover" and I voted him as one of the coolest NFL player to have move in next to me.

 

[broccoli rob]

I thought you were a jet fan ridiculing his past, my mistake.
When did I pass judgement on you, the person behind the screen? LOL I'm only refering to the words you posted on a message board. You rubbed me the wrong way with your assumptions and criticisms. It is what it is, my bad.

Dude I hate the Jets more than anything. And I flew to New England one year with my Dad to go watch the fins play the patriots in Foxboro and I met Ricky. Hes seems really down to earth.

No sweat, im a really sour person with everything I got goin on. Not your fault

 

[GoonBoss]

Well, I ****ing can't stand Ricky Williams and his whole schtick.....and I REALLY dislike those fartblossoms sueing the NFL.

One side is right I guess.
ETA; At least as far as the pathology of it.

 

[tcdrover]

It's not as clear cut as some would have you believe.

Look at former boxers. Some live long healthy lives, but many end up suffering seriously. Look at how the NFL is dealing with it. They take baseline readings and then use that to compare. Ricky obviously doesn't want to look too hard at the negative posibilities. He seems to take excellent care of himself hopefully that makes a difference.