Silence Regarding Sidney Crosby's Health Leads to Unhealthy Speculation

I miss him

Ya. When people tell me they think he’s done for good, I don’t get that feeling of wanting to refute them anymore, because it’s looking more and more like he might not be able to come back.

What an injured mess this season has been.

I do not want weekly updates if nothing is changing. If they want to give an update when he’s practicing again, great. There is an entire team of players that I’m focused on right now…not worth wasting my time worrying about Crosby’s health. He’s in good hands, he’ll be back.

There’s no other better way to put it. At this point, facts we know is that he missed nearly an entire year with the same injury, then he was able to tiptoe through 8 games before taking a knock. We also know that concussions don’t just vanish into thin air – the symptoms may subside for a time but as soon as he starts taking hits, it only takes one to bring those symptoms back again. We as a fanbase and a team can sit around hoping against everything that he can someday return free of his condition but until that time, it’s necessary to explore other options.

I wish it wasn’t so. But it’s unfortunately the only option.

…is ’bout all we can do. I ignore the haters/bandwagoner fans.

I keep thinking of people like Savard. Like Lindros. Like Corey Koskie. (Or, if you want something even more dramatic, like Mike Webster or Ray Chapman.) All players that had their careers and lives altered or ended because of brain injury that we still don’t understand very well.

And then there’s Sid, who undoubtedly had two concussions in quick succession last season and may have gotten two more against the Bruins this season. (I heard that he took an elbow to the head in that same game that he collided with Cooke, but I was at the game so I had no replay to see.)

I hope he’ll be back. I hope he recovers to the point where this isn’t an issue anymore. But all the talent and hard work in the world will not fix this. If you care about Sid for more than his stat sheet, as I think most here do, then perhaps we should a) start vocally and strenuously agitating for more protection for players, and for real, not just lip service to avoid liability, and b) prepare ourselves for the very real possibility that one of the best to ever lace ’em up is through,

FWIW, and just a nitpick, but Sid’s not at cap max and never has been. But your point is well taken.

learning about traumatic brain injuries this past semester, we focused on several case studies where the patients took several years to fully recover. These were simple students who were doing no more than studying and going to class. So in the case of Sid, practicing hard and going all out, it could very well be 2-3years down the road before he is truly “symptom” free.

Not trying to be pessimistic, but just a thought to keep in mind. Id rather have him for 10-15 more years then for 2 more and then see him retire. Let him sit out for another year if thats what it takes.

Something that is being overlooked in all of this is that head trauma is a lot more serious and wide spread than many understand. All you need to do is look at returning vets with head trauma. Many of these guys have permanent damage done with virtually no hope of recovery and thanks to Congress, virtually no help from the medical profession.

I’ve seen it in Vietnam Vets, guys I knew and “worked” with who now can’t hold a job, or even a cup, who can’t remember little things and many times have trouble with simple motions. I can’t imagine losing or even reducing the mental dexterity to play one of the most demanding sports there is. Some of those vets were in as good a shape or better than Sid and can’t cope. Some others can make it. Doesn’t matter how your head gets hurt, it needs time to heal if it can.

In a way, Sid is lucky if that’s possible. At least he’ll get the best care the Pens Health coverage can provide. With luck, he’ll get better. Whether that means he’ll ever play again is incidental to being able to function normally the rest of his life.

Only time will tell and he needs to take all the time he can. Fans understandably want to see him play again but wanting to get him on the ice just so he can play for them is just not that important.

Life goes on in sports with or without certain players. Pens fans went through a terrible incident with Michel Briere in 1970 sadly ending in 1971. While it’s not the same situation with Sid, it may be just as difficult to face.

He’ll be back or he won’t and it really is his decision. But he needs to make sure the rest of his life is his own regardless of how much time that takes and not return just to placate fans or chance something more permanent or tragic.

Be as positive as you want but also be realistic. Look at other instances of head trauma not only in sports but the military and everyday life, the way it was treated and the results. Once you see the long range and many times hidden extent of this injury, you may begin to understand its seriousness and why it may take such a long time to heal, if ever.

Sid playing hockey is secondary to his resuming a normal life. Some things we do in life just aren’t worth the risk.

I just miss him playing. It’s just not the same.
He is the Pittsburgh Penguins IMO.
I hope he gets healthy but I have my fears and doubts.
Maybe he came back too soon?

Trying to keep good and positive thoughts.

not encouraging