Sad stats

[Achie D]

This was part of ESPN's (yeah, yeah) article on Mad Dog's passing. What can you say?

:confused::mad::(:mad::mad::confused::eek:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3429536

White's death follows a trend in which former Steelers players have died at an uncommon rate. At least 38 former Steelers players have died since 2000, with 17 of them 59 or younger, as was White.

According to a Los Angeles Times survey in 2006, one-fifth of the former NFL players from the 1970s and 1980s who died through that year were former Steelers.

[Punxsutawney]

White's death follows a trend in which former Steelers players have died at an uncommon rate. At least 38 former Steelers players have died since 2000, with 17 of them 59 or younger, as was White.

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Not to disrespect those who have died or anything, but does anyone else think that the alleged steroid use throughout those teams has played some type of role in all these premature deaths?

[dobre shunka]

Maybe, probably, contributed in some way to some. Webster sticks out, but he also played center getting his head rammed 60 snaps a game for 17 years. Would have to look at the 38 case by case. Off the top, I don't think roids had anything to do with White's lung clot/back surgery. Or Fat's SUV rolling over. Or that tree falling on Courson. Or Jugs going postal. Or David Little's barbell choking him.

[Balls&YourWord]

White was a freak post-op thing apparently, but yeah you've got to assume at least some of these early deaths are linked to steroids, how could you not? And one-fifth of NFL deaths since the 70's and 80's have been Steelers? That's seems such a huge difference in margin to leave it up to chance and bad luck. And we've seen these early deaths from pro wrestlers who overused, and I believe players who were on the Oakland A's in the 70's have had similar fairly early deaths, though I'm not 100% sure on that.

I know the Steelers obviously weren't the only team on roids in the 70's, as steroids was getting big in all aspects of pro sports during that time, but from all that I've read and heard on the subject it was pretty prevalent in Pittsburgh, apparently moreso than a lot of teams. And unfortunately a lot of Steelers have suffered early deaths, although again White doesn't qualify here considering like I said it was some post-op mishap that led to his passing. But you can't deny that overall it hasn't played a role, because I believe it certainly has and the one-sided statistics support that.

[LetMePlay]

I'm still feeling injuries from high school more than 20 years later. I cant imagine what an NFL player feels in their 40s.

[pourman]

Well....we also need to keep in mind that we were one of the most physical teams so steroids or not, Steelers fought harder than most other guys. We played more games than most other players being in the playoffs every year, and we played in more high intensity games. Plus, since we were the team to beat, we took the other team's best shot week after week for ~8 years.

All that punishment takes it's toll. Look at Earl Cambell. He can hardly walk after giving it his all.

The high number of freak problems is eerie.

[markymarc]

It really is sad to see so many players dying at such a young age. I just can't imagine the pain some of these players deal with on a daily basis trying to live their life after football.

[Achie D]

Well....we also need to keep in mind that we were one of the most physical teams so steroids or not, Steelers fought harder than most other guys. We played more games than most other players being in the playoffs every year, and we played in more high intensity games. Plus, since we were the team to beat, we took the other team's best shot week after week for ~8 years.

All that punishment takes it's toll. Look at Earl Cambell. He can hardly walk after giving it his all.

The high number of freak problems is eerie.

Excellent points.

It was expected of them by the team and the fans. We extol these guys and expect superhuman performance on every play. Then we criticize them when sometimes mere humans show up.

In a sober moment does anyone doubt that a Clark Haggans gave everything he had? But we're eager to toss him aside like a bad habit when he doesn't rock our world.

I'm no less guilty than anyone else in this regard.

Just saying.

[aSteelerFanDamnit]

This is why I don't have a hard time with NFL players being paid the high salaries ... they physically get pounded and shorten their quality of life if not their life. But baseball getting paid those numbers, or basketball? No way. Hockey players take more of a toll on their bodies than either baseball or basketball players and they're not compensated up there with them.

Interesting facts Achie. 5%, wow.

[Big Fella]

This is why I don't have a hard time with NFL players being paid the high salaries ... they physically get pounded and shorten their quality of life if not their life. But baseball getting paid those numbers, or basketball? No way. Hockey players take more of a toll on their bodies than either baseball or basketball players and they're not compensated up there with them.

Interesting facts Achie. 5%, wow.

I agree with you completely.

Plus, I have no problems with a player holding out as long as contracts aren't guaranteed. It's a cut-throat business, get yours.

I think a lot of fans call guys crybabies and things like that because hold-outs can alter the chemistry of a team and damage their favorite teams chances for success. I get that. NFL careers are short, but guys that defy the odds and have long careers do pay for it later.

That said, some guys are crybabies.

But, I supported Hines fully in his holdout. He was not being paid his market value, and the physical nature of his game won't let him play late into his 30's or early 40's like some WRs do.

Straight cash, homey.

[JohnnyO]

Agree with all the above. But many of ex-players are simply a lot bigger than the average person since it's sort of a job qualification, steroids or not, and I think that leaves one more susceptible to heart attacks and other health problems.

[kurtistb]

I agree with you completely.

Plus, I have no problems with a player holding out as long as contracts aren't guaranteed. It's a cut-throat business, get yours.

I think a lot of fans call guys crybabies and things like that because hold-outs can alter the chemistry of a team and damage their favorite teams chances for success. I get that. NFL careers are short, but guys that defy the odds and have long careers do pay for it later.

That said, some guys are crybabies.

But, I supported Hines fully in his holdout. He was not being paid his market value, and the physical nature of his game won't let him play late into his 30's or early 40's like some WRs do.

Straight cash, homey.

Call me old fashioned but I think a mans word is his bond. Sign a contract honor the contract.

[FAB802]

Call me old fashioned but I think a mans word is his bond. Sign a contract honor the contract.

That would be fine if the team had to keep their word and pay the contract out too.

[CoSteelrgrl]

That would be fine if the team had to keep their word and pay the contract out too.

Fab's got a point. Then again, if you pay 50 mill over 7 years and don't see much after the first season from a guy who should be your starter, then they have every right to show him the door.