The career of former Giants first-rounder David Wilson appears to be drawing to a premature end.
According to various reports, word is quickly spreading that Giants team doctors have decided to “shut down” the speedy running back. Wilson, who suffers from spinal stenosis, underwent off-season neck surgery that could’ve itself had career-ending possibilities. Initially, Wilson appeared to be on his way to making an eventual recovery. Unfortunately, the miracle only lasted for a few practices. Once Wilson suffered his “burner” injury the writing appeared to be on the wall in big, bold letters.
Wilson’s plight is just another example of how the human body is just truly not meant to actually play football. It’s probably a story worth telling of how Wilson, handed the incredible gift of speed while his body would ultimately betray him well before his potential was even realized. The lifespan of an NFL’s player’s career is no joke and it feels crueler when it’s not even really a “football injury” that closes the book.
The Giants were clearly anticipating, if not expecting this doomsday scenario by signing veteran Rashad Jennings in free-agency and drafting Boston College’s Andre Williams, both of whom had their moments last night in their preseason debuts. But as you could see and hear in coach Tom Coughlin’s demeanor and tone during a postgame interview with NBC’s Michelle Tafoya, Wilson was not going to be in the team’s plans going forward.
Days like today are where the love of the game of football feels so secondary. You’re just hoping that this young man can find peace off of the football field after having his dreams ended. It’s the reminder that is still a game and these men aren’t just indestructible pawns programmed to run routes with razor-sharp precision. Today is a day where we mourn the “what-ifs” of a guy who could run like the wind, only to be held down by limitations beyond his control.
As of this moment, Wilson hasn’t announced his retirement, and NFL Network’s Kimberly Jones reports that Wilson will likely be placed on injured-reserve. The Giants will pay out his base salary for the season.
Team doctors, however, did not beat around the bush. It’s time for Wilson to walk away while he still can.
“[Surgeon in-chief] Dr. Frank Cammisa Jr., our spine specialist at [Hospital for Spinal Surgery] examined David this morning and following that exam, we both sat down and shared our perspective with David,” said Giants team physician, Dr. Russell Warren. “David has diffuse cervical stenosis. He had a disc removed and a fusion in January. In light of last week’s episode of symptoms, sensory and motor, Frank and I both told David he should not play football any more. We let David know that by playing, he would be putting himself at risk for more episodes like last week or perhaps something more serious. ”
In light of this distressing news, Wilson seems to be at peace with the next chapter, via a team-issued statement.
“I don’t want anybody to feel sorry for me, or pity me,” said Wilson. “I lived my dream. A lot of people only get to dream their dream. I lived that dream. Now I have a chance to dream another dream and live that, too.”
Sad news for a franchise who just saw arguably their best player ever receive the highest honor a player can receive. The Giants saw the best of football as well as the casualties of the game all in one fell swoop. For the Giants, the Steelers await. For David Wilson, a career of unfulfilled promise remains.
David Wilson’s Sports Injury Alert Profile
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