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Former NFL Running Back Ricky Watters on the injuries he received as an NFL player.
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Well we are eight weeks into the 2012 NFL season -- injuries just keep piling up.
A crushing blow to the Washington Redskins quarterback a few weeks ago left Robert Griffin the third motionless on the turf and as -- the question.
Is only doing enough to protect its players.
Some 3300.
Former players are fighting back with lawsuits including our next guest.
-- waters former NFL running back and Super Bowl champion -- great to see you thanks for comment on what that's really appreciate it's great to be here.
I was -- and I'm we're glad you're here.
Before we get into the details of the suit which I want to talk to you about those little bit about your life frightening -- only 43 in your retired what's -- like.
Yes actually helped -- This is pretty tough when your body starts to -- loan you a little didn't he start you know not to feel -- super human being more.
And also when you start -- some things in.
It's it's pretty tough it's tough to stand shake as well because when you work out it hurts.
So I was pretty tough.
So you're living with -- every single day.
And looking back on your career you say look you -- in Harrisburg Pennsylvania Notre Dame San Francisco Billy finally Seattle.
You say there are many days -- you went out on the field with a concussion with other injuries tell us about that.
Definitely well I -- since I was seven years old so I put a lot of games and sports concussions well.
Many.
You know many concussions I would probably say maybe 5060.
Maybe even -- hundred -- more.
Why -- that we used to do see it as -- bell -- You know you -- -- -- we take a look smell and -- -- -- Catholics particularly prudent to take a road you know it's -- that you feel a lot better and you go out there and play again.
Well is we have an injury report from the in intelligence to -- 68 players suffered concussions over the past two seasons that's a lot of people.
Now you talk about -- smelling salts and getting back out there but maybe that can purchase -- -- for the next couple hours but there -- long term implications what are they.
Definitely definitely well.
Well physically I mean I'm I'm heard from the -- until truthfully I.
You know I have about five pins and screws in my ankle -- have -- school my foot three in my hand.
It had got a middle -- wrapped around my femur and -- a have a crack star known.
You know fractured sternum and fractured shoulder.
Different things they all come back to -- -- little later and you start to fill those things in this on the have to deal with when I work out nowadays it consists though book.
Really physical therapy.
And and rehab -- just to get to the day and you know to be of the functioning at a high level or is good.
No idea -- at this point I had no idea it was it was that bad for the people who are retired.
You know your fame yes because there was one point where you did put your -- first.
It's a famous moment when you -- with Philadelphia.
And you famously said I'm not gonna trip up there and get knocked out for -- for what you stepped away.
-- -- I guess -- yes you stepped away and and did not take the hit.
And how does that work out for you.
Yeah well well how retracted that statement.
Right after because.
You know -- -- It we lost the game and it came out wrong and I think what the fans -- my team makes -- thing you know they they know our economic team player.
And I was leader on the field Alito -- to feel.
And and I wanted nothing more than two to win the championship then I was totally dedicated to win a championship but I wanted to -- to understand that.
When you play on this level you have to be tough there's no doubt you have to be tough which you also have to be Smart and you have to -- and stinks.
And my instincts told me.
That day to be careful.
And and the thing is -- -- have a split second to make that decision and that decision coalesce -- will definitely you'll have to live with definite rescue life.
Well -- shown a bunch of pictures of you playing.
Quickly will have a ton of time left.
But you -- this suit and you're one of many many many NFL players who were in the same situation you are.
And I know where a lot of our viewers would asking what you should take time to answer here is.
-- you know there were risks.
-- and you feel like it's your fault -- the NFL's and a helmet makers.
Who should take the responsibility here.
I really don't know who fought it is fourth basket -- us now from the to have you know figure that out.
That the courts so go figure that out but I do know this much the NFL is making billions and billions of dollars off of our blood sweat and tears.
And our legacies.
And at least they can do existing knowledge that when we played this game.
We got disabled you know we we were you know we thought we were Superman.
And no we didn't.
Know about it because we don't we're Superman we -- -- -- we're told that from the time we started playing football.
And and we're not and now we noted -- disabled in those disabilities came from -- and NFL and the least.
I feel like they can do is to give us some medical care.
Lifetime medical care and also some lifetime insurance.
Just look after us a little -- -- so look.
After is a little bit -- -- -- your great guy you have a great fan like great kids it's great they see you again thanks for comment on so much really appreciate it thank you.
Well thanks for having me.
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