Sounds like Ted Johnson is setting up a negligence lawsuit... - New England Patriots Forums

Armen Da Pats Fan · 02-02-2007, 07:49 AM

...based on his comments, I mean.

This is just a shame.

I always loved Ted. I never realized he suffered this way.

But, I can't see Belichick intentionally trying to hurt someone. As much as he believes in having all 53 men ready to play, why would he intentionally risk this kind of thing with Ted Johnson?

I realize many might say Ted knew the nature of the beats, but, man, football, as much as I love it, is a brutal game. These dudes pay a high physical price later in life.

Sean Pa Patriot · 02-02-2007, 07:52 AM

Why did this come out now, and not in 2002, 03,04 , or even in 05 when TJ retired?? He did not blame Pete Carroll for making him come back in 99 when he tore his other bicep?? I think he really was messed up longer than 2002

DefenseRules · 02-02-2007, 08:06 AM

Well at least one source is questioning his motives:
http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

Quote:

JOHNSON CLAIMS BELICHICK FORCED HIM TO PRACTICE HURT

Former Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson claims that coach Bill Belichick required him to practice, and subjected him to hard hits, while Johnson was recovering from a concussion in 2002.

"There's something wrong with me," Johnson told the New York Times. "There's something wrong with my brain. And I know when it started."

Okay, time out. Because to the extent that the Times or anyone else has decided to anoint Johnson as the new poster child for the very real problem of player health after their playing days end, we don't think Johnson is the right guy to carry the flag.

Because Johnson was contemplating returning to the Patriots in 2006.

So let's be realistic about this. Johnson apparently realizes that the family of former Steelers center Mike Webster recently cashed in (and deservedly so) for a claim that his chronic depression was caused by football injuries. And Johnson, like other former football players who don't make nearly as much money after their playing careers end, could be tempted by the lure of a nice score.

We're not saying the Johnson isn't impaired in some way or that his doctors are embellishing his condition. But there's a danger that someone who really isn't in bad shape will try to get a Mike Webster-type payday via exaggeration and/or fabrication.

And the fact that Johnson is *****ing about Belichick barely a month after he was musing about returning to the team that Belichick coaches fairly calls Johnson's overall motives into question. Why would the guy even consider returning to the Patriots in 2006 after Junior Seau was hurt if he believes that Belichick contributed to Johnson's current plight? And why not mention when explaining that he was expecting to get a call from the Pats that there were some things that happened in the past that might make him uncomfortable about going back?

Maybe Johnson didn't say anything about it because he still hoped his phone would ring. And maybe because it didn't ring Johnson is now mad, and thus is lashing out at the team.

We're not saying that this is what's happening, but the circumstances clearly suggest that these are fair questions to raise.

I feel for Ted. But PFT has a point. Sighs, so much for a quiet offseason. Something tells me that this story is just getting started, IMO.

Armen Da Pats Fan · 02-02-2007, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Pa Patriot

Why did this come out now, and not in 2002, 03,04 , or even in 05 when TJ retired?? He did not blame Pete Carroll for making him come back in 99 when he tore his other bicep?? I think he really was messed up longer than 2002

Not to throw fuel on the fire, but hey, hey it's offseason! Here'a another angle to consider.

Remember when Johnson tore his bicep the first time in the playoffs vs. the Steelers (I think it was '97 or '98)?

My buddy Nick is a professional bodybuilder and we were watching the game when it happened. Nicky was telling me that tearing a bicep is an injury related to increased use of steroids. He explained that the body would never naturally allow the bicep to grow to the point where it becomes more powerful than the tendon and bone it is attached to, but that with juice, it can grow out of proportion to the other components, and thus when the bicep is applied to a force that pulls it away, the tendons give way and it can tear off from the bone.

So let's assume for a moment that this is true.

If it is true, then Ted Johnson has been abusing his body for the sake of performance and money since at least 1997 or 1998, and probably all the way back to University of Colorado.

And so, if that is the case, why all of a sudden is he calling out trainers and coaches for allowing him to play with a concussion, when he had already set the unspoken expectation that he was a guy willing to do anything to play, including place his health at risk by taking the juice?

Just a thought.

As I said, the whole situation is damn shame to me. I would like to see #52 retired as a Patriot uniform in honor of Ted. I think he was that good for us in his prime.

BTW, another that should finally "officially" be retired is #56 & #57 for Andre Tippett and Steve Nelson.

Sean Pa Patriot · 02-02-2007, 08:18 AM

You suffer the same inj to both arms, in a matter of a yr.. There is a question about steroid use..

D-cleater · 02-02-2007, 08:45 AM

Armen, your buddy is talking out his ass. I know an athlete that tore his bicep and never touched steroids in his life.

feel free to continue making **** up about former players though.

***edzo44*** · 02-02-2007, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DefenseRules

Well at least one source is questioning his motives:

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

This line from PFT sort of raises another question:

. . . . And the fact that Johnson is *****ing about Belichick barely a month after he was musing about returning to the team that Belichick coaches fairly calls Johnson's overall motives into question. Why would the guy even consider returning to the Patriots in 2006 after Junior Seau was hurt if he believes that Belichick contributed to Johnson's current plight? And why not mention when explaining that he was expecting to get a call from the Pats that there were some things that happened in the past that might make him uncomfortable about going back?

Maybe Johnson didn't say anything about it because he still hoped his phone would ring. And maybe because it didn't ring Johnson is now mad, and thus is lashing out at the team. . . .

I float the possibility he was so pissed off that he didn't get a call because our boy Ted was really hoping for the call so he could take his first hit in a game, go all woozy, claim his condition is even more aggravated now, blame it all on those heartless Patriots and launch his negligence lawsuit attack for millions!

***BelichickFan*** · 02-02-2007, 08:57 AM

Given that he voluntarily played 3 seasons after this "incident", I suspect he'll have trouble convincing people it's all Belichick's fault.

Armen Da Pats Fan · 02-02-2007, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-cleater

Armen, your buddy is talking out his ass. I know an athlete that tore his bicep and never touched steroids in his life.

feel free to continue making **** up about former players though.

Well, I don't know about that because I am no expert, but I also did say in my post, "let's assume for a moment that this is true", so I really don't feel like I was "making stuff up about former players".

I love Ted Johnson. I am sorry this is happening to him, if it is true.

As far as what my buddy Nicky said, I can't imagine why he would make something like that up, but still, I am not saying it is true or it isn't.

However, I am also not the first person to question Ted Johnson's training and supplement habits.

The point is, the guy (TJ) has always made himself out to be a warrior who throws his health to the wind for the love of the game (or the money).

PlattsFan · 02-02-2007, 09:51 AM

I have a question about threads ... why are threads like this started? Isn't there a perfectly good thread about the TJ story already going in which the original comment here could've been placed?