Hoping against hope for a Rawleigh Williams comeback

[Piggie Smalls]

I hope for Rawleigh's sake that he hasn't completely shut the door on a possible return to the football field. While I complete agree with his decision to hang up the cleats for now, you could tell by the wording in his letter that his heart wasn't completely in it, even though we all know it was the right thing to do. I'm not talking about him returning to the U of A, he should definitely be done with college football, period. But maybe a year or so down the road, if he keeps in shape, there might be a small chance he could be re-evaluated and COMPLETELY cleared by doctors to make a return on the pro level. I know that's a longshot, but I just hope for the young man that he would be able to finish his football career on his own terms. To me that'd be the only way for him to have total peace of mind. Either way, I obviously wish him nothing but the best going forward.

[Snouty]

Seriously?  I believe that Rawleigh has made a final, irrevocable decision to stop playing football forever.

[PorkRinds]

Good god. Just stop.

[LZH]

Well that was weird.....

[Bkhardicars]

I believe if it were me, I'd hang it up.You just never know what all goes through their minds. I could see him sitting on the side lines next year longing to get back in the game...I hope he joins the staff in some capacity long term.What a recruiting story about how CBB looks after the players well being...

[fooman03]

Put yourself in his position, you've been carted off of a field twice in your career. You've been hit and experienced a feeling many, many people have never and will never experience in their life (paralysis). At what point do you think you have been given too many chances on life? Nearly every person would quit after the first experience.

RW3 is a great guy and will do great things. This young man is a scholar in the classroom. I can honestly say I would hang em up for good if I was in his position. He has been given two chances to live a normal life. As far as on the field achievements, he led the SEC in rushing last year (as a sophomore), what else can he prove?

[luke hawg]

The risk of being a quadriplegic is not worth any amount of money.

[Dr. Starcs]

I hope for Rawleigh's sake that he hasn't completely shut the door on a possible return to the football field. While I complete agree with his decision to hang up the cleats for now, you could tell by the wording in his letter that his heart wasn't completely in it, even though we all know it was the right thing to do. I'm not talking about him returning to the U of A, he should definitely be done with college football, period. But maybe a year or so down the road, if he keeps in shape, there might be a small chance he could be re-evaluated and COMPLETELY cleared by doctors to make a return on the pro level. I know that's a longshot, but I just hope for the young man that he would be able to finish his football career on his own terms. To me that'd be the only way for him to have total peace of mind. Either way, I obviously wish him nothing but the best going forward.

Biggie ain't coming back either.

[SRV]

Biggie ain't coming back either.

Well done sir...well done.

[STLhawg]

WOW!  I think someone's been hitting the sauce too early and too often tonight.

[Hoggish1]

WOW!  I think someone's been hitting the sauce too early and too often tonight.

Uh, the sauce might clear his mind...

[DLUXHOG]

put the pipe down please.......

[SooiecidetillNuttgone]

The risk of being a quadriplegic is not worth any amount of money.

It's RW3's life and his to live.  If he's not comfortable playing any longer, then he should quit for his, his teammates, and opponents (because playing tentative can increase chances of injury) well being.

However, i seem to remember reading that the expert doctor who did the surgery stated it was impossible to re-damage his neck in the same location.  Therefore, his chance at being injured would be no greater or less than anyone else's.

If true, this decision is based on his mental state of mind rather than a legitimate fear of heightened chances of nerve damage/paralysis, right?

I bring this up for several reasons, one being that I don't think BB would lightly put RW3 into harm's way at great risk which he would be guilty of based on your statement up until RW3 called it quits.

[Inhogswetrust]

Some people that start threads are definitely from another planet........................

[LJHOG]

He ain't playin' no more.  Even if he tries to comeback it will not be at Arkansas.  I don't believe for one minute BB would allow it.

[Me Like Hogs]

No way an NFL team would take a chance with RWIII with the current climate concerning player safety. I think he does have a future in football, it will be on the sidelines not the field.

[Missooie]

We must have read different letters if you saw a sad little puppy who wasn't ready to be done with Football. From what I read, he sounded very content with his decision and knew it was the right one.

What his main concern was is that it wasn't even a hard hit, it was a routine hit on a routine play and it nearly took him out. What worried him was that if a little hit like that can take him out, what would a big hit from a DL do to him? Much less, what would a hit at the pro level do to him?

Everyone on this board and in Arkansas would love to be able to see RWIII suit up again, but not a single person in their right mind would want him to after we know what one hit could do to the young man. There are greater things than Football in life, and he knows that.

[goodguytex]

There's much more to life than playing football. He can get his degree and go on to a great career and make a good living for himself and his family. And be thankful he got to play for the Hogs and wear that unifrn. He's got everything to be proud of.

[JoeyCapital]

In for the updates. Thread has potential.