Sad news for Dan Wenger

[TerryTate]

Notre Dame's Dan Wenger has suffered his second concussion in less than a month. - ESPN Chicago

Really sad to hear this. I wish him the best, and I hope he can make it back onto the field.

 

[Maddog77]

ISD did a feature on it. Over the next couple of days or so he's going to consult with his family to determine what to do next. BK said that they are going to play it extremely conservative because the concussions were apparently non-contact related, which is really scary. I hope everything goes well for him.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

I wonder how a center at practice can get a concussion. Who hit him? Is he not aware of the field? How the hell do you get a "non-contact related" concussion? Thinking too hard?

Geez I hate hearing stories of our guys getting seriously hurt.... But that is football.

And that is why my Godsons play golf.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

My wife is an athletic trainer.

The more evidence that comes in, the more we realize that you don't mess with concussions. There's even speculation that Lou Gehrig didn't have ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)...just repeated concussions.

It's scary stuff.

All the best to Wenger.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

My wife is an athletic trainer.

The more evidence that comes in, the more we realize that you don't mess with concussions. There's even speculation that Lou Gehrig didn't have ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)...just repeated concussions.

It's scary stuff.

All the best to Wenger.

I saw and read the same report about the Lou Gehrig situation and concussions. Look at Ali.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Man I feel for the kid...Precaution precaution precaution.

 

[tko]

fortunately he'll be set for life with a degree from ND.

 

[dshans]

Way back in 1961 or so I was at practice for my little league team. The coach was hitting fly balls for us to shag. He hit a dribbler that I ran in to pick up and throw back to him. When I was half way back to the pack there was the crack of ball against bat. I turned around, only to take a line drive to my forehead. The next thing I recall was coming to with the coaches and the the entire team standing over me, my glove under my head.

After I seemed to be all right, I was doing some infield practice. When I turned pale as a ghost (I lived in St. Pete Beach, FL at the time so was tan all year round) and puked my guts out, the coach decided I should go home. A half mile. No biggie to walk. Except that I had a concussion. And there was no one around when I got home.

It took me weeks to "get back into the game."

My point? I'm sorry to hear about what's happened to Wenger. I hope all goes well for him. I'm also glad to know that in today's atmosphere there is now a greater concern for the effects of concussions. Not to mention care and caution.

I hope that he suffers no serious, lasting effects. I applaud the care and concern for his future 40 years from now, not just 4 days.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

I hope he feels better and is able to get back on the field.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Way back in 1961 or so I was at practice for my little league team. The coach was hitting fly balls for us to shag. He hit a dribbler that I ran in to pick up and throw back to him. When I was half way back to the back there was the crack of ball against bat. I turned around, only to take a line drive to my forehead. The next thing I recall was coming to with the coaches and the the entire team standing over me, my glove under my head.

After I seemed to be all right, I was doing some infield practice. When I turned pale as a ghost (I lived in St. Pete Beach, FL at the time so was tan all year round) and puked my guts out, the coach decided I should go home. A half mile. No biggie to walk. Except that I had a concussion. And there was no one around when I got home.

It took me weeks to "get back into the game."

My point? I'm sorry to hear about what's happened to Wenger. I hope all goes well for him. I'm also glad to know that in today's atmosphere there is now a greater concern for the effects of concussions. Not to mention care and caution.

I hope that he suffers no serious, lasting effects. I applaud the care and concern for his future 40 years from now, not just 4 days forward.

Well, for coaches and well, anyone... one of the seminars I attended among scholars in the field showed us video on head and neck injuries, and why you should "keep your head up."

By "Keeping your head up," besides being aware of the field and able to control and rush to your assignment, you are also protecting your neck. Video and other evidence showed that a neck can be popped backwards with some pain and other damage as side effects, but if neck is popped forward with your head down, your neck will easier pop like a straw. After repeated video evidence of this, you better damn be sure I cussed the heck out of any athlete that kept his head down, or lead with his his down on a hit.

By the way, tell your athletes that if their teammate lies motionless on the field, leave him alone and call for the trainers or medics. Don't try to pull the macho "Get up dude!"

 

[BGIF]

This young man has had a tough 5 years. Best wishes.

 

[Junkhead]

Life long term is more important than football, hopefully he makes the right decision for himself. He's had an up and down career, but we never heard about whining or wanting a transfer. Good luck Dan.

 

[Irish Man3]

I hope he feels better and is able to get back on the field.

Unfortunatly, as a fifth year senior I dont think he sees the field again. I think the best thing to do in this instance is to take your Notre Dame degree and pusue a different course in life outside of football. This is a very scary situation and health and happiness have to come first. I wish Dan nothing but the best and with all the new information coming out about post concussion effects, I think Dan and his family and the Notre Dame coaching staff will find it best to call it a career.

 

[Maddog77]

Does anyone know if he could apply for a medical redshirt to get a 6th season of eligibility?

 

[Irish Man3]

He's a 5th year senior.

 

[DirtySecret]

 

[condoms SUCk]

best wishes man, here to a good recovery

 

[chgocub23]

this is very sad. throughout my highschool and college career i had 4 concussions that i got treated for and after everyone i had i was out for 7-10 days every single time. the sad thing is there's no telling at how many concussions these guys get and don't report which makes it worse. one of my friends in high school got kicked in the head by a soccer ball at class and later that night we had a football game. needless to say he was knocked out and he is now not the same. he can barely do normal life functions. this is scary and i hope he realizes there is more to life then football no matter how much you love the game.
best of luck Dan.

 

[BGIF]

Does anyone know if he could apply for a medical redshirt to get a 6th season of eligibility?

You get 5 years to play 4 and can get another medical year depending on circumstances. But this isn't a knee, a shoulder, or some other injury that surgery can correct. He has sustained a number of head injuries. I believe head injuries are considered cumulative. He and his family have to sift through the medical evaluations and make a 40 year decision.

 

[nd1]

sad to hear hope he recovers.

 

[LeapinLeprechaun]

If I were Kelly I would flat out tell him that he is done. There is more to life than playing football. It would make me respect Kelly even more, by being blunt with Dan and his parents about the situation.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Wow...my prayers go out to him. I agree with Leapin...this is something that you dont want to mess with...

 

[dales5050]

If I were Kelly I would flat out tell him that he is done. There is more to life than playing football. It would make me respect Kelly even more, by being blunt with Dan and his parents about the situation.

I am pretty sure this is the position that BK took. But, for pride, you allow the kid to walk away on his own terms.

 

[Rack Em]

Knowing this guy personally, I really hate to hear this. Even last year when the coaching staff moved Eric Olsen to center he stayed positive and didn't let it get to him. Dude is a hard worker.

All the best Danny.

 

[tankjeep]

i wish him well, but i'm not sure if he should even play anymore.

 

[TerryTate]

Dan Wenger was not cleared to play. He will be out for the remainder of the year.

 

[Ben E.]

Dan Wenger was not cleared to play. He will be out for the remainder of the year.

damn, poor guy, that said in the end some day the game ends for all that play it. its not all bad though, he was fortunate to have done something in life that most people never get to experiance, and he should be proud of that!

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

This is sad news. But I'm confident Dan will have an outstanding life.

God Bless.

 

[IrishinSyria]

More to life than football...I hope he has a full recovery.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Now Dan can fall back on an excellent education...best to him...