Webster's Dictionary lists the definition of pride as a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc. It also lists: "foolishness as resulting from or showing a lack of sense, ill-considered, and unwise."
Next to both of these definitions sits a picture of San Diego Chargers' All-Pro linebacker Shawne Merriman. Okay, so the last part may not be true, but you couldn’t blame Webster’s if they considered including Merriman’s portrait in their next edition, following his decision to play this season with two partially-torn ligaments in his left knee.
It is Merriman’s own foolish pride that is spurring this decision. He figures that if surgeon’s were so amazed that he finished last season going on one bad knee, that perhaps he should tempt fate once more by playing the whole season as a human unicycle.
Merriman is doing this in the face of what should be the most terrifying words in the English language to any professional athlete: career-ending injury.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Three seasons into an already amazing career in which Merriman has registered 39.5 sacks (more than any other NFL player in the last three seasons), he is willing to risk an entire career to play a fourth instead of sitting it out so he will be able to play a 14th.
He’s met with plenty of surgeons that all have told him the same thing: To have major surgery and take the year off, or minor surgery and miss most of the season. Yet, it only took one to tell him that he can play on it and all of a sudden that seems like the best decision to him.
After all, we know that’s what Merriman is hoping to make: the best decision for himself, his career, and for his team. He even told that to the media while considering what to do. If Merriman considers this the best decision, then perhaps he should have his head checked by doctors as well.
The Chargers' organization needs to step in and tell their star that he’s getting the surgery. While the organization is set to win a championship now, it looks like they are going to stay that way for a while.
Give Merriman the time off, see how the team does, and hope he can make it back for the playoffs. Then you get him at around 90 percent, with a small chance for injury, instead of 80-90 percent with a high chance for a major injury.
Shawne Merriman is arguably the best defensive player in the NFL, and in his three-year career, he has already shown Hall of Fame potential. It would be a shame to see him crumpled up on the field in Week One against Carolina, while the commentator’s are rehashing the injury, saying it’s the worst thing they’ve seen since Joe Theismann.
With that having been said, maybe Merriman does play out the season, maybe he even has a semi-decent year, but the smart money says that Merriman doesn’t finish the season uninjured.
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2 months ago
I'm a die-hard Patriot, but what Merriman has decided to do just makes me shudder. By not having knee surgery he is almost certainly taking 3-4 years off of his career. One doctor said that the way he is playing now is like a house where you take away most of the load bearing walls in the basement and just oh by the way let's just have a makeshift post here and there. Now this is the NFL, so that house is going to get all kinds of weather slamming down on top. Really very idiotic and infuriating of the Chargers organization not to forcibly put a stop to it. What's one year compared to literally an entire career, and also having it shortened by 3-4 years?? Just pure lunacy!
2 months ago
This is just stupid on Merriman's part.
"He even told that to the media while considering what to do."
This is not in the best interest of everyone. Not him, not the team, not the organization. If he gets hurt, he shoots himself in the foot, and then that affects the team and organization in a negative way.
2 months ago
His contract expires at the end of the 2009 season. It is a fact that players don't come back from reconstructive knee surgery and do well in the season of their return, which would be Merriman's contract year. If he has a bad contract year, it will cost him his one chance at a huge payday.
If he plays this season and gets 8 or 9 sacks through 12 or so games, he then has leverage to ask for a new contract at the end of the season and get the big money that he's trying to get. He will have the "I risked my career for this team" card in his hand.
San Diego re-signs him to a big deal and he then gets his surgery.
This is a strategy, not anything to do with pride.
from 2 months ago
What you are forgetting about is that the team won't care what he risked for them. They'll just want to know if his knee is worth the payday he'll be looking for. Chances are they won't pay him until they see how he comes back AFTER the surgery, whether he has it this year or next.
from 2 months ago
It would be a PR nightmare for the Chargers if they failed to extend the contract of a guy who risked his career by playing through this season with the knee injury. That's the angle Merriman and his agent are taking.
I agree that it wouldn't be wise to pay him long term without seeing what his long term health will look like, but I'm just describing why Merriman is doing what he's doing. It's not because of pride or putting the team over his football life or anything like that, as some seem to believe.
from 2 months ago
What you don't understand is that the team will not care what he sacrificed for them. When it's time to negotiate, they will look at his demands, look at the surgery and the possibility that he won't be the same, and simpy tell him it's not worth the risk to pay whatever exuberant amount he'll ask for. I'm not even a Chargers fan but I know he is invaluable to the defense. However if he gets hurt, even minorly, I guarantee they will use it against him at the negotiating table. He apparently doesn't understand the business side of the NFL.
from 2 months ago
Again, I agree with your comment and if I were in his shoes, I would get the surgery. All I am pointing out is what his and his agent's logic is in this situation. They are banking on the goodwill factor coming into play.
from 2 months ago
Chargers/PR nightmare? You mean ANOTHER p/r nightmare right...
2 months ago
I'd rather see him have the surgery and miss one/two years than see him loser his career. Merriman is one of my favorite players, but he's doing something stupid right now.
2 months ago
It's not surprising that Patriot and Colts fans would be all for Merriman having season ending surgery. Even myself, as a Chargers fan, fully expected him to be out and didn't have a problem with it. Afterall, his health and longevity are at stake here. However, no one knows Merriman's body better than he does. He claims that he played the last six games of the season in this condition and knows he can continue to play. He also claims that he was misquoted when it was reported that he said the injury could be career ending. He says that he was repeating a question and someone used that as his quote. He also stated that it was only a tainted supplement that he took (but that's another story).
Anyway, I have less concern now for him since learning that he has been injured for so long. No one is saying anything different either. My question is, why didn't he have surgery directly after the AFC Championship game? If he knew that his knee was messed up, he should have taken care of it and he most likely would have made it back for the second half of the season or sooner. To me, that is the real story here. Did he pull a Shaq and decide not to ruin in off-season? Or, did he really think he could rehab?
from 2 months ago
What incentive do Patriots fans have for Merriman to take just one season off? Besides, the Chargers haven't won against New England in a couple years. They aren't the threat you think they are. What we're talking about here is an individual's livelihood.
2 months ago
dumb move Merriman my dog could make a better decision. your not going to the super bowl this year . your certainly not think with your brain. if you had an ounce of sence you would take a year off and get it fixed. if you stck with your decion i think you have 1 maybe 2 years left. and shame on the chargers for letting him do this they should stop him . BAD MOVE.
from 2 months ago
Speaking of "certainly not think with your brain", having and ounce of "sence", and sticking with your "decion", it would seem that even though his DECISION is stupid, for one person to bash another, you should be THINKING with your brain and have at least an ounce of SENSE before you post a comment. I disagree with Merriman's decision also, but if I couldn't spell, I certainly wouldn't post messages calling HIM stupid.
from 2 months ago
Hey Sammy, "having AND ounce of "sence". "I certainly wouldn't post messages calling HIM stupid". Right back at you...
2 months ago
As a huge Charger fan, I am relieved to hear that he decided to play. I think the Charger players realize that this is the most talented team that the Chargers have had in a while and they want to be a part of it. Philip Rivers, after tearing his ACL, still played in the AFC Championship game after not wanting to concede to the bodily physical demands.
Although I feel relieved, a part of me also feels concerned for Shawne. I have a feeling that the Chargers expect a huge year from him and are willing to let him go (IE the contract extension for Jyles Tucker). But after this huge sacrifice, I think the Chargers will owe it to Shawne to keep him. Shawne is one of the faces of the Chargers organization and he has had his hand in developing the San Diego Chargers to the team that it is today. Without Shawne Merriman, I don't think Cromartie and Jammer would have the kind of years they had in recent.
Coming from a San Diego local, Shawne has done too much for this city (on and off the field) for him to be let go for being injured. I'm sure the Patriots and Colts fans are dying for him to call it quits for the year... Merriman is the defensive leader... He's the one that makes Manning and Brady look average. So, in conclusion, Merriman should be applauded for his courage and his desire. He is taking a big gamble, but for himself, his team mates, and the Chargers organization... He is hoping that that gamble results in a big rewards...
2 months ago
i for one am surprised at his decision to forgo surgery. I understand that this is his final year for under contract. He is not doing the team any good by not being 100%. yeah maybe IF he has a somewhat good season he can play the trump card saying he did it for the team, but what is to stop san diego for pushing him out of san diego like they did with Drew Brees after his surgery. nothing cause when it comes down to it all it is all about business. plain and simple, you think the chargers are going to do a thing for shawne if he really messes up his knee this year if he plays, they will trade him off after he has surgery, and get what they can for him.That is the A.J way. If I were Shawne, I would talk to them now about his contract extention and find out where they stand on the issue, and maybe try and get something in writing about not being cut out traded if he decided to get the surgery for the better of the team. As for as him not taking care of this, he did have surgery at the end of the season but something didnt go just right and now he is paying the price. He is better off having surgery and letting things run there course and hope the chargers are a better organization and take care of there own. but thats what they all say. till it come s to the talks of contract and more money.
2 months ago
The Chargers dopnt care....they wont be able to resign him anyway....they are not out anything if he gets hurt...other than the games he misses this year.
2 months ago
Norv Turner and that jackass A.J. Smith should be ashamed of himself for even considering letting this happen.
the only reason he's doing this is to make sure he gets his money. BUT COME ON!
he has 39.5 sacks over the past 3 years. thats the most in the NFL right now.
He's made the Pro Bowl 3 years in a row.
And if you were to ask just the casual football fan they would probably assume Merriman is a seasoned vet.
HE'S IN HIS THIRD YEAR!
He's on his way to a hall of fame career but because AJ Smith cant recognize talent at any level (for example, Norv Turner over Marty Schottenheimer) or at least recognize when a player deserves to be rewarded, Merriman will probably get hurt this year and be one of those "What Could Have Been" stories on ESPN and NFL Network 20 years from now.
It's a damn shame.
from 2 months ago
Of all the insane opinions I have read, "AJ Smith can't recognize talent at any level" is one of the funniest. As a Charger fan I remember watching the draft that year with Mike Williams on the board saying "There's no way the Lions will draft another wide receiver so we can get Mike Williams". The Lions went ahead with Williams and we got "stuck with Shawne Merriman - who?"
Yeah, that worked out OK. Same with Castillo, Cromartie, Weddle, Gates.
from 2 months ago
i for one saw mike williams for the flop he would be.
if there's a "WR" next to your name on a USC roster... i'm definitely not gonna draft you.
and as a chargers fan, you should know what an idiot AJ Smith is. If he would have ever cooperated with Marty, you guys would have a lombardi by now.
and what in the hell do ya mean got stuck with? Merriman was pretty highly touted coming out of college. It was really a no-brainer of a pick at that point.
and come on, ya cant include Eric Weddle in that group of Luis Castillo, Cromartie, and Gates.
2 months ago
When you have the best defensive player in the NFL, you protect him in every way possible, regardless of if it may hurt your team mildly in the immediate future. The Chargers are not doing that.
Imagine if this exact same scenario was happening with Adrian Peterson and the Vikings, do you think there would be any way in hell the Vikings would let him play this year? No way.
2 months ago
The Chargers will take care of him like they did to Drew Brees.
2 months ago
While it was bogus what they did to Brees remember that Rivers was in a technical number one draft pick that was seen as a quarterback of the future for the team despite the fact that they had Brees. They were paying Rivers first pick money and that made it harder to trade him. Merriman has Marques Harris and Carlos Polk behind him.
2 months ago
remember that hit Maurice jones-drew put on merriman last year????? he wasnt himself at the end of the year. eventhough he played he was a shell of himself. I love his warrior attitude but he really needs to wisen up and get the surgery. the GM of the chargers does not care, he is very egotistical... he believes anyone is replaceable because of his success drafting over the last few years. if im merriman I get the surgery and hope for the best with my contract. I know its a business but its not as if he is hurting for money. Get surgery play 10 more years and get in the hall of fame. Why risk all of that for one year and one contract. he could sign two or three more if he stays healthy.
2 months ago
Shawne Merriman needs to put a stop to this decision. If he gets injured and then he comes back to the chargers asking for money, the same team he made the sacrifice for is gonna snub him like an undrafted rookie.
2 months ago
I'm so glad I'm not the only one to think this is a bad idea for him AND for the team. EVEN if he goes out and get 15 sacks this season, the minute he goes under that nife/laser they are going to start subtracting money. His value can't go UP any and no matter what, it's going to drop because fo the surgery. He's already coming off a near defensive-mvp season. He is THE best defensive player in football. get the surgery so we can see you knock some guys out in 2010.
2 months ago
and great article.
2 months ago
I was going to write about this, but you beat me to it. Good job on the article though, well-written. They definitely need to stop this guy from potentially destroying his career, I don't know what his deal is. He really needs to think about this because all of that contract isn't guaranteed, and he cannot play football without his knees, and that's a fact!
from 2 months ago
This is a grown man, and at the end of the day it's is his career and his decision.
Let him do what he wants with his life.
2 months ago
Agreed.
2 months ago
I can only imagine what it is going to look like on sportscenter when everyone will be telling him I told you so as we watch him carted off the field this year.
2 months ago
Its just so sad that anyone would knowingly put themselves in that position.
2 months ago
Ok, before you discount this opinion as a Stupid Raider Fan, consider this.
We already had a star, who would never stop.
Bo Jackson. In a game, in the playoffs against the Bengals, there was a simple tackle, that he thought, like always, he could run through.
What in turn happened, was a Hip fracture/dislocation, that pretty much killed his football career, and without the threat of running, became a great sideshow in baseball.
Merriman, like Bo, doesn't know how to quit....and even Bo, to this day, said if he knew what was going to happen, he wouldn't do a thing different....because Bo always goes full speed, all the way.
If Merriman wants to risk his career, it's his choice. But as well, with the reward, comes the risk.
One side, has him with the super bowl win, the Chargers want so badly.
The other, has him in a wheelchair, lots of therapy, and no more football, ever.
Reality usually sets in for the players, once the game is done. Even Earl Campbell, the great runner, finds himself wondering, at times, if it was all worth it, when he can't get out of his truck due to the pain.
Or, like Jim Otto, who gave it all....over 20 knee surgeries.
2 months ago
Hey, do you guys remember when Shawn Merriman got caught using steroids and pretty much no one cared? Now he is going to blow out his knee. A fitting punishment for the cheater, don't you think?
from 2 months ago
no, i dont think so because i'm not some animal that wishes harm on others. In the end it is a very risky decision, but it is up to him and we don;t have much reason to judge. that being said I dont think it's right to wish a career ending injury on anyone no matter who it is. I guess the next time you cheat in something as minor as a card game with friends, would it be cool if someone wished that you got hit by a speeding car on your way home? probably not.
2 months ago
This is a situation that could get ugly. I have my concerns about Shawne playing with 2 torn ligaments in that leg. I for one will not question his heart, loyalty and devotion. However, I question his common sense.
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