Concussion No. 4 didn't only send the quarterback into retirement. He slipped further into depression. How Kevin Kolb escaped this darkness gives hope to the sport itself.
Dammit, Tyler, this whole thing should be required reading for every person involved in any way with all levels of organized football. It makes me feel guilty for how much emotion I've invest in the game for 60 years or so without a better level of understanding. It started to change a bit for me when Chris Borland abruptly retired. This moves the needle even more.
I'd missed that...thanks for the link. The comment about kids wanting to get out of the hood rings true. And hell, we can't even address immediate dangers for our kids in schools right now. We aren't doing a very good job of helping them grow up healthy, are we?
How about a catch-up article with Chris? I think that there is more awareness today, but I look at my excitement over the Wisconsin Badgers' new coaches and players, and my love of the pageantry of going to games at Camp Randall...if I totally believe that football is evil and can't pull myself away from it, it feels more hopeless than i expected. My son played high school football; I'm thankful that he wasn't good enough to continue (or maybe he was smart enough not to). He and my daughter are big fans, but neither of their sons are playing football. One isn't interested, and the other plays soccer and track. And he just had a concussion from soccer. sigh
Thank you for your quality work Tyler. Fascinating man is Kevin Kolb. Didn’t know his story until now. Thanks for always including people’s spiritual lives in your pieces and reporting on the whole person.
Thank you so very much for this story. I’ve oftened wondered what’s happened to some of these players. I’m a life long football fan. I hate seeing some of the hits these men take that you know are career ending. I sit and wonder how will they manage? You have answered my question. Thank you. I’m so happy for Kevin Kolb, what a strong wonderful person he is to his family, friends and community. I believe he will survive his symptoms. He has God by his side.
Dammit, Tyler, this whole thing should be required reading for every person involved in any way with all levels of organized football. It makes me feel guilty for how much emotion I've invest in the game for 60 years or so without a better level of understanding. It started to change a bit for me when Chris Borland abruptly retired. This moves the needle even more.
Thanks a ton, Ben. And honestly, Chris is the one that forced me to think about this sport in different ways. We hung out down in Atlanta for my first feature at Bleacher Report. Will never forget Chris turning the tables on me mid-interview on coming to grips with supporting the sport: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2660840-the-chris-borland-effect-hes-changed-his-future-but-did-he-change-the-nfls
I'd missed that...thanks for the link. The comment about kids wanting to get out of the hood rings true. And hell, we can't even address immediate dangers for our kids in schools right now. We aren't doing a very good job of helping them grow up healthy, are we?
How about a catch-up article with Chris? I think that there is more awareness today, but I look at my excitement over the Wisconsin Badgers' new coaches and players, and my love of the pageantry of going to games at Camp Randall...if I totally believe that football is evil and can't pull myself away from it, it feels more hopeless than i expected. My son played high school football; I'm thankful that he wasn't good enough to continue (or maybe he was smart enough not to). He and my daughter are big fans, but neither of their sons are playing football. One isn't interested, and the other plays soccer and track. And he just had a concussion from soccer. sigh
Thank you for your quality work Tyler. Fascinating man is Kevin Kolb. Didn’t know his story until now. Thanks for always including people’s spiritual lives in your pieces and reporting on the whole person.
You got it, Mark. And thank you again for taking the time to read.
A side of football that we might not otherwise see. Thanks, Tyler.
Always need to find these sides. Thanks again, Mike. Appreciate you.
Thank you so very much for this story. I’ve oftened wondered what’s happened to some of these players. I’m a life long football fan. I hate seeing some of the hits these men take that you know are career ending. I sit and wonder how will they manage? You have answered my question. Thank you. I’m so happy for Kevin Kolb, what a strong wonderful person he is to his family, friends and community. I believe he will survive his symptoms. He has God by his side.