Morgan

Morgan's "Foxhole"

Morgan vows to return
October 11, 2006
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Panthers.com

Comments from Carolina Panthers linebacker Dan Morgan following the announcement that he will miss the rest of the season because of problems related to concussions suffered in the preseason at Jacksonville and regular season versus Atlanta.

On the decision to not play the rest of the season: I was up in Pittsburgh yesterday (Tuesday). I went up there and talked to Dr. Mickey Collins. He took me through a series of tests that I've done before. He asked me a lot of questions. It came down to a decision that he felt like that I've had two separate incidents against Jacksonville and Atlanta where I got dinged a little bit. I think he was a little bit concerned (for me) to go back so soon. He didn't want me to come back and then get another one. Then we'd really have to go from there. I think he felt like it was in my best interests not to play right now but felt really good about me coming back next season.

On if he was optimistic that he might be able to play again in 2006: The last time I went up there after the Atlanta game, he left me with the possibility that just because I was coming back (for additional testing) that he might not clear me right away. So I knew going up this time that he possibly could clear me and I actually thought that I might be cleared. I was looking forward to getting back out there. I feel great. I've been working out. That's the thing with these injuries is that you feel good and look good. It's just one of those frustrating things to go through. But that's the hand I was dealt, and I've just got to keep a positive attitude and look forward to next year.

On if he wants to play again next year: Absolutely. I'm obviously frustrated but I can also turn that into a positive. I'll have a lot of time now to work out and heal. I think it will make me that much more hungry. That's just the kind of person I am to come back next season and have a big season.

On if there is less risk by waiting to come back next season than by trying to return this year: I don't think anything is for sure. Dr. Collins is one of the best guys, and he's been great. He's helped me out a lot and he's actually taught me a lot about concussions. I think he's got the most experience out of probably anybody in the United States with these things. As far as next year, he thinks it will give me a lot of time to heal up. He thinks I will be a lot better next year and that I've got a lot of football left in me.

On if his doctor recommended any changes that might protect him better: Not really. I think right now he's just looking out for my best interests. He hasn't talked to me about anything like that. He's just looking for me as a person right now and really not so much on the football side of things.

On when he will meet with the doctor again: Probably some time in February. I'm sure I'll just go through some of the same stuff I went through this time. I think things will be better.

On what role family and being a father played in the decision to not play again this season: Obviously, my family is the number one thing in my life. You do think about those things. I'd be lying if I didn't. Honestly, I'm not concerned. If it was up to me, I'd be out playing against Baltimore this week.

On how his wife has reacted to the situation: I think she trusted me. She knows how much I love the game but she also knows I'm not stupid enough to risk my health for our family. Trust me, the minute I feel like I'm really going to be hurting myself, then that will be the time that I won't be playing football anymore. But right now, I just don't feel like that's the time. I feel like I've got football left in me. And I know when I come back, people are going to look at me and worry about me. But I know how I feel and I know that next year I can come back and things can be totally different.

On what the doctor saw that was a concern: The thing that concerned him the most was this year as far as the Jacksonville game getting dinged up and then coming into the Atlanta game and getting dinged up. They were three weeks from each other. I think that really concerned him. He told me, "If I let you back, you might stay healthy for two, three or four games and then that one little incident where you get hit wrong, we're going to have to deal with this again." I don't think he wanted to put me through that. I think he used his expertise to not let me go back out on the field.

On if he has talked to other current or former players who have had concussions: I haven't talked to anybody. I've seen some quotes in the paper. I've heard stories about guys who were kind of in the situation that I'm in but actually took it a step further where they probably would have played right now instead of missing the season, and it hurt them. I think that's a big step that we're making right now that we're preventing. I'm not going in there. I'm not going to get dinged. It's going to give me a lot of time to heal up rather than going in there and getting dinged like those guys in the past.

On how many more concussions would it take for him to retire: Honestly, I really don't know. It's one of those things where something like that would have to happen before I even thought down that direction. I've got more of a positive attitude now. I'm not really going to think about, "Next one I'm done." I'm really not thinking like that right now. I'm thinking more like I'm going to get better. This is going to make me better, not playing the rest of the season. I'll be working out and running and be ready for next season. I'll just be hungry next season.

On a study that suggests players should quit playing football after three concussions: The thing that I've learned about concussions is that it's not an exact science. It's not like a knee or shoulder where you get an MRI and say, "Here's our problem." It's not something like that. I think everybody's case is different. I don't think everybody has the same symptoms. People have similar symptoms but not all the same. Everybody has got their projections. If I knew that was a fact, then I don't know what I would think. But I don't think anything is etched in stone as far as concussions are concerned.

On what he will do while he's not playing: I'm just going to continue being around the stadium, working out. It's something that I love doing, playing football. I'm not going to say, "Hey, I'm on IR," and go fishing the next day. It's something that I love doing and that I'm going to continue to do. I'm gong to be around the stadium. I'm going to be working out. I'm going to attend meetings. I'm going to do the things that I love to do.

 

translation: get paid alot to be a meat head

 

its over

 

I hope the team can face the facts because he sure can't.

 

Dan, getting a concussion is not "getting dinged up". thats getting jacked up. If he took an insurance policy out, he knows it could be over.

on the other hand its not dans fault they gave him a contract, and its not his fault he has a jelly brain. Its not like he can go work out his brain to make it stronger. maybe he can do some calculus to work it out. I dont think he ever missed a game until the NFL. it is what the Panthers are stuck with. they have a big decision to make with him. wish him and his family well. and Spoon is not coming back. we should have kept him but its time to stop beating that dead horse

 

nah I doubt it's like that. I have no doubt that Morgan just loves to play football, and would do it for free if he had to.

 

yeah, but it's real easy to say you will continue to do what you like to do when that means working out, going to meetings, and watching film for multiple millions of dollars a year

 

can someone please explain to me again why did the Panthers chose to keep a guy with concussion history .Over a guy who never had any concussion

 

Nobody knows, Dukey

 

They didnt choose him over anyone. After they signed Morgan, they still tried to sign Spoon. It was never either or. If they had signed Spoon, they probably would not have signed Hartwig.

Will someone who thinks its was either/or please explain why they think that?