Living the Life

The life of a professional athlete must be a remarkable one.  Who can imagine waking up everyday and your only objective is to play a game, or prepare to play a game all while being paid hansomely for your awesome task.  Like every profession, however, there are ups and downs that come with the job.  In professional athletics that downfall often time is the toll taken on your body.  Recently we have seen that in the early season injuries to Tom Brady and now the probable career-ender for Patriots SS Rodney Harrison.  Two of the most respected and admired (for different reasons) players in the NFL have combined arguably for two of the unluckiest seasons so far. 

Rodney Harrison who two years prior tore multiple ligaments in his left knee, has now reportedly torn the quad muscle on the same leg.  With this type of injury to such a large muscle it is doubtful not only that he will be not be able to return next year, but to the professional football field at all.  A shame for anyone who loves to watch someone like Mr. Harrison play the game with an unmatched passion and intensity. His presence in the Patriots line-up as well as in the league will be sorely missed.

Tom Brady who tore his ACL and MCL in his left knee is now suffering from an infection in his surgically repaired knee.  Many people, understandably, are now trying to estimate when or if Tom Brady will be able to return to the field for the Patriots.  Who knows when he will be able to return? No one.  With this type of injury and these types of complications it is impossible to know how his body will react to the antibiotics as well as the multiple surgeries he has had on that knee.  One thing is for sure, when he returns he will be able to adapt his play easily to his newly constructed knee.  Tom Brady is fortunate in the fact that he has relied on his mind and calming, cerebral presence to get him where he is in his career.  He will not have the same mobility or natural movement skills as he once had but that does not matter when you play the way that he does.  Dan Marino for a long time was the NFL's most prolific quarterback and he couldn't even beat Don Shula in a foot race!  One thing is for sure, Tom Brady will be able to make his way back to the NFL and excel once again where many people faulter...under pressure.