Quote ="bren2k"What awful news - MND is a really cruel illness, but it hits home when a seemingly hard as nails RL player is the victim; thoughts with him and his family.'"
We often think about these players as hard as nails and you’re right they are on that they have a mindset that allows them to avoid pain more than most. Most are also naturally more athletic than the average but it’s only minimal in truth, training accounts for most of it.
These illnesses don’t recognise any of that I’m afraid and when it comes to certain cancers the younger and fitter you are the quicker it acts.
Anyway that’s the science of it. The point I want to make is to all those who recklessly abuse players from the touch line. I don’t mean banter or partisan opinion I mean sheer abuse. Yes some players take the mick but most players play badly because they are just having a bad day. Could be loads of reasons but one could be that they are not supermen and that their bodies give way occasionally. In the most extreme cases it could be the start of something serious, who knows.
I’m not saying this was what happened with RB by the way just a general observation. Nor am I being snowflake, it’s a hard game and players know what’s expected within reason. However as I say players especially the younger ones who have barely matured in some cases don’t deserve the abuse they often receive from often fat and unhealthy old men and women.
It’s a hard game but it doesn’t need to be barbaric in attitude.
I like a bit of biff but they are only human in the end.