RWIII

[KlubhouseKonnected]

Just what I was thinking but I hope RWIII is fine and cleared to play. I believe the family trusts Coach B. and if he plays, its because all parties have talked though every contingency.

If he does come back though, I'll wince every time he takes a big hit anywhere in the upper body and neck area. I had a kid get hurt in a high school game and it took everything I had to keep it together while the doctors were looking him over.

Yeah, I am afraid I will be worried every time he takes a hit should he decide to return. I know every player on the field runs the risk of serious injury on every single snap but... I don't know

[hogfan58]

I have a weird gut feeling that he may say 'enough'.......

I think Mom will say it before he will

[a0ashle]

More than one GB player has gone unsigned due to serious neck/nerve issues. Jermichael Finley was one.

[tzthib]

So if he does decide to hang 'em up, what happens to his scholarship? I have always wondered what happens to the scholarship of a player who ends up getting a career-ending injury. I'd hope they get to keep it, since they have more than paid for their tuition with whatever terrible injury the received on the field.

[hawginbigd1]

So if he does decide to hang 'em up, what happens to his scholarship? I have always wondered what happens to the scholarship of a player who ends up getting a career-ending injury. I'd hope they get to keep it, since they have more than paid for their tuition with whatever terrible injury the received on the field.

They do it is called a medical retirement or something.

[WilsonHog]

So if he does decide to hang 'em up, what happens to his scholarship? I have always wondered what happens to the scholarship of a player who ends up getting a career-ending injury. I'd hope they get to keep it, since they have more than paid for their tuition with whatever terrible injury the received on the field.

I don't think there is any hard and fast rule on it, but I think it's pretty common for a school to honor a kid's schools so he can go ahead and get his degree. Not only the right thing to do, but also money well spent from a public relations/recruiting standpoint.

[FineAsSwine]

Yeah, I am afraid I will be worried every time he takes a hit should he decide to return. I know every player on the field runs the risk of serious injury on every single snap but... I don't know

When a kid is laying motionless on the field after a head or neck area shot and then the ambulance and stretcher rolls out, it hits you in the gut and it makes no difference which teams player it is.

I had 3 boys that played football (through pee wee and all the way up to high school) and I've seen plenty of kids with spindly, pencil thin necks get nailed helmet to helmet and every time they get up you breathe a sigh of relief.

So, I can only imagine what it must be like for the mom and dad watching RWIII being slow to get up after a big hit, especially with his history.

[DeltaBoy]

I have a weird gut feeling that he may say 'enough'.......

Me too and I don't blame him a bit

[bennyl08]

I don't think there is any hard and fast rule on it, but I think it's pretty common for a school to honor a kid's schools so he can go ahead and get his degree. Not only the right thing to do, but also money well spent from a public relations/recruiting standpoint.

https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/05/i-trusted-em-when-ncaa-schools-abandon-their-injured-athletes/275407/

I can't think of any arkansas players who weren't given a medical scholarship, but I can imagine it would be difficult for a school short of finances to begin with to do that. It is surprising that schools have no obligation though for the medical care of student athletes who get injured during on field activities.

[hawginbigd1]

I don't like the fact we aren't hearing anything definitive at this point. Maybe the Doctors are just being hyper sensitive about the situation, but his last tweet along with nothing following seems to be a bad sign.

[RaisinHog]

Yes I'm pretty nervous ..So many things in effect here ..

[LZH]

I think Mom will say it before he will

I bet Mom said it last year....but it's his call.  We'll see.  But,like Hendrix said, "I gotta real bad ol' feelin'...."

[12247]

RWIII has given us all he's had for his time here.  No matter what, I hope we give him all we have either way he goes.  And I believe the University, Head Coach, Staff, players and the entire fan base will do exactly that.  I hope the injury is minor and he is OK and soon.  If there is any shadow of doubt about him playing contact sports, I want him to QUIT NOW.  He has a huge life ahead of him and spending it in a wheelchair when it could easily be avoided is the smart way to go.

[hoglady]

RWIII has given us all he's had for his time here.  No matter what, I hope we give him all we have either way he goes.  And I believe the University, Head Coach, Staff, players and the entire fan base will do exactly that.  I hope the injury is minor and he is OK and soon.  If there is any shadow of doubt about him playing contact sports, I want him to QUIT NOW.  He has a huge life ahead of him and spending it in a wheelchair when it could easily be avoided is the smart way to go.

Amen - nice post.

[HogMantheIntruder]

RWIII has given us all he's had for his time here.  No matter what, I hope we give him all we have either way he goes.  And I believe the University, Head Coach, Staff, players and the entire fan base will do exactly that.  I hope the injury is minor and he is OK and soon.  If there is any shadow of doubt about him playing contact sports, I want him to QUIT NOW.  He has a huge life ahead of him and spending it in a wheelchair when it could easily be avoided is the smart way to go.

This was worth repeating. Well said.

I hope RWIII knows that he will always be loved in the state of Arkansas, and that the fan base wants Rawliegh to put Rawliegh first right now.

[STLhawg]

I hope the young man fully recovers, but even if he does I think it's time for him to hang up the cleats.  I don't believe any Razorback fan (in his right mind) would question that decision or think any less of him.  Thoughts and prayers to RWIII and his entire family.

[Pig in the Pokey]

I think Mom will say it before he will

she said it last time. it's not her choice.

[Iwastherein1969]

I hope the young man fully recovers, but even if he does I think it's time for him to hang up the cleats.  I don't believe any Razorback fan (in his right mind) would question that decision or think any less of him.  Thoughts and prayers to RWIII and his entire family.

I see where you are coming from but the decision is totally up to Rawleigh III. The young man is intelligent and will weigh the pro's and cons from every angle. Once he makes that decision, IMHO, either way he goes, Razorback fans should quit talking about it. Especially if he decides to come back and play. Doctors will tell you he's no more likely to sustain a traumatic injury which will put him in a wheel chair than any other player on the team. If that were the case he wouldn't be allowed to suit up for the Hogs. So if he says "yes" to returning, I'm no MOD but I hope they trash every thread about Rawleigh and his past. The last thing the young man needs to be thinking about is getting hurt and then before every game a thread pops up about "pray for RIII". This is counterproductive. Anyway, long way to say whatever Rawleigh decides we need to go with 100%.

[WilsonHog]

A few comments from Bret that I hadn't seen before.

http://coachingsearch.com/article?a=News-Notes--Quotes--May-1-2017

[HogFoo]

I believe his mother did tell him last year that she didn't want him to play anymore.  RWlll made the decision to return.  He's a smart kid.  Me personally I think he should be checked out see ehats up and if there is anything not cool he should retire from playing.  I actually think he should retire now   anyways.  But, I figure he is gonna try to come back regardless of what others opinions are.  I figure unless the Dr says another hit and he's done he is coming back.  Heck he had told Bielema after it happened he wanted to get up and walk away and how embarrassing it was to be laying there but they wouldn't let him get up.  So , like I said, unless the Dr is saying one more hit and it's over, I believe the kid is coming back.  If he does, man I'll be like everyone else every time he takes a hit I'm gonna cringe until he gets up and walks back to the huddle.

[Porked Tongue]

I have no insider knowledge on this but I don't expect him to return.

Either way, thanks for being a Hog RW!

[ricepig]

I have no insider knowledge on this but I don't expect him to return.

Either way, thanks for being a Hog RW!

He was dismissed from the hospital today, I think his heart says play, but his mind says it's time to give it up. I suspect in the end that's what will happen.

[Justagp]

RWIII has given us all he's had for his time here.  No matter what, I hope we give him all we have either way he goes.  And I believe the University, Head Coach, Staff, players and the entire fan base will do exactly that.  I hope the injury is minor and he is OK and soon.  If there is any shadow of doubt about him playing contact sports, I want him to QUIT NOW.  He has a huge life ahead of him and spending it in a wheelchair when it could easily be avoided is the smart way to go.

You summed this up perfectly - thank you!!

[supersaint]

So if he does decide to hang 'em up, what happens to his scholarship? I have always wondered what happens to the scholarship of a player who ends up getting a career-ending injury. I'd hope they get to keep it, since they have more than paid for their tuition with whatever terrible injury the received on the field.

They keep it. Happened to me. Also a neck injury.

[bhogs05]

He needs to do what is best for him and his future and i think Brett will have no problem telling him that...where as i think some coaches would want to do whats best for their team instead. A neck injury is nothing to mess around with..wish him nothing but the best no matter what he decides 

[HognitiveDissonance]

I think he'll  be back.
I love going to football games and watching football as much as anyone.
But I'll use this as another opportunity to wish the game of football would just go away. And I think it gradually will over the next 30-40 years. Society will get less barbaric and finally put an end to it.
The human body was NOT MADE to collide with other bodies like that.
Time for football to cease.

Other sports are fine. Basketball is a graceful game, small chance of traumatic injury. Track and Field, same thing. Baseball slight risk, but not much.

Football and boxing have to go.

[CarolinaSwine]

Society will get less barbaric and finally put an end to it.

UFC says "hello".

[pigture perfect]

I remember being a fan of Jermaine Taylor. As much as I was proud of him for his comebacks, I was ready for him to retire after the 2nd fight with Kelly Pavlik. When I saw him lay there and quiver I thought they had killed him. I don't want to see the same thing with Rawleigh.

[STLhawg]

I see where you are coming from but the decision is totally up to Rawleigh III.

I didn't intend to imply otherwise.   

Doctors will tell you he's no more likely to sustain a traumatic injury which will put him in a wheel chair than any other player on the team.

I'm not so sure they will be telling him that this time.

[The Kig]

I think he'll  be back.
I love going to football games and watching football as much as anyone.
But I'll use this as another opportunity to wish the game of football would just go away. And I think it gradually will over the next 30-40 years. Society will get less barbaric and finally put an end to it.
The human body was NOT MADE to collide with other bodies like that.
Time for football to cease.

Other sports are fine. Basketball is a graceful game, small chance of traumatic injury. Track and Field, same thing. Baseball slight risk, but not much.

Football and boxing have to go.

While I agree that the physicality of football limits and even ends many players participation, humanity has an insatiable appetite for violence.  Boxing hasn't given way to MMA because it was too violent.  Quite the opposite.  It failed because it became too predictable (fixed) and the element of brutality was regulated.  MMA grew by removing some of the limits and gave the public their gladiator fix. 

If football wanes, it will only be because the public found another outlet to sate their thirst that is more violent.

[Iwastherein1969]

this whole page of RWIII is filled with conjecture....one imagines if RWIII was mentally fine with what happened he's not anymore, we Hog fans made sure of that once again proving we know what's better for a player than the player himself...smh

[KlubhouseKonnected]

this whole page of RWIII is filled with conjecture....one imagines if RWIII was mentally fine with what happened he's not anymore, we Hog fans made sure of that once again proving we know what's better for a player than the player himself...smh

Um, huh?

[SRV]

RWIII has given us all he's had for his time here.  No matter what, I hope we give him all we have either way he goes.  And I believe the University, Head Coach, Staff, players and the entire fan base will do exactly that.  I hope the injury is minor and he is OK and soon.  If there is any shadow of doubt about him playing contact sports, I want him to QUIT NOW.  He has a huge life ahead of him and spending it in a wheelchair when it could easily be avoided is the smart way to go.

Absolutely.

[hogfan58]

she said it last time. it's not her choice.

He convinced her last time and she said OK.....I think he will have a much more difficult time trying to convince her this time. The "hit" was not that bad....and it caused whatever to happen to him.

I just think she will say his health and possibility for something bad is too great. 

[tusksincolorado]

I think he'll  be back.
I love going to football games and watching football as much as anyone.
But I'll use this as another opportunity to wish the game of football would just go away. And I think it gradually will over the next 30-40 years. Society will get less barbaric and finally put an end to it.
The human body was NOT MADE to collide with other bodies like that.
Time for football to cease.

Other sports are fine. Basketball is a graceful game, small chance of traumatic injury. Track and Field, same thing. Baseball slight risk, but not much.

Football and boxing have to go.

Same with Hockey, NASCAR, Lacrosse, Rugby, Sumo wrestling, Soccer....Heck let's just give it all up and give everyone a "participation trophy"!

[Al Boarland]

I think Mom will say it before he will

@jasonkersey: @The3rdRawleigh had same surgery Peyton Manning had on his neck.  Docs say no way to reinjure but family has to hesitate now

[Ex-Trumpet]

@jasonkersey: @The3rdRawleigh had same surgery Peyton Manning had on his neck.  Docs say no way to reinjure but family has to hesitate now

Injuring the repaired vertebrae is most likely not gonna happen.  However, injuring the vertebrae on either side of the repair "could be" more likely as they must compensate for the fused vertebrae.

That said, a neck injury is a risk in any sport.  Charles Krauthammer injured his neck jumping into a pool.

[Al Boarland]

Injuring the repaired vertebrae is most likely not gonna happen.  However, injuring the vertebrae on either side of the repair "could be" more likely as they must compensate for the fused vertebrae.

That said, a neck injury is a risk in any sport.  Charles Krauthammer injured his neck jumping into a pool.

Agreed.  I wouidn't want to be in a position to have to make that decision.  Worst case if stepping away from the game is a college education.  Worst case playing the game doesn't have as happy an ending.

[HognitiveDissonance]

Same with Hockey, NASCAR, Lacrosse, Rugby, Sumo wrestling, Soccer....Heck let's just give it all up and give everyone a "participation trophy"!

Fine by me. I don't watch any of them.
I would miss football with my heart, but my brain is telling me the sport is stupid.
Football leads the way of all those sports in risk of violent injury...broken bones, concussions, bruises, and even paralysis and/or death.

[KlubhouseKonnected]

Agreed.  I wouidn't want to be in a position to have to make that decision.  Worst case if stepping away from the game is a college education.  Worst case playing the game doesn't have as happy an ending.

I would be shocked if RW3's scholarship is not honored for the full four years regardless of his football decision

[Al Boarland]

I would be shocked if RW3's scholarship is not honored for the full four years regardless of his football decision

Agreed.  That's standard operating procedure for college football programs.  Probably all sports programs.

[NoogaHog]

It usually is honored, especially at big schools. I think a previous caller referred to it. It is called retiring or medically unable to participate. The schools are prepared for this contingency and keep a few kids on scholly in these cases. It is different than a kid just walking away from the program or being dismissed.

On another note, I think the reason we haven't heard anything is because the Williams family are contemplating and praying. There is really nothing to say until they make their plans public. We just have to be patient and it will come out when it is time. They really don't owe us anything. Just make the best decision for you and your family and we are behind you. WPS!

[hoglady]

this whole page of RWIII is filled with conjecture....one imagines if RWIII was mentally fine with what happened he's not anymore, we Hog fans made sure of that once again proving we know what's better for a player than the player himself...smh

I don't think anyone here is trying to tell him what to do.
Most fans are concerned, just really concerned for his future health.
They are expressing that concern in this thread.

[bphi11ips]

this whole page of RWIII is filled with conjecture

Yep.  smh, too, not because I want to see RWIII in a Hogs uniform, but because the report is a stinger and because he said, "Let me up coach, this is embarrassing."

Players get stingers all the time.  RWIII led the SEC in rushing with his neck injury healed. If he suffered a stinger that isn't related to his neck injury, why would he quit now?  If his injury Saturday was related to the old injury or increases the chances of serious future injury, well, that's a different story, but not the one we've heard so far. 

We'll all love Rawleigh and his family no matter what he does.

[hogcard1964]

I'm puzzled why he he's been allowed to take hits during non game settings?  Seems like something as life changing as this would be handled a bit better.

[ricepig]

I would be shocked if RW3's scholarship is not honored for the full four years regardless of his football decision

It will be, just like Alex Brignoni's was, or any other player who can't play anymore, it's a medical scholarship and doesn't count against any of the numbers.

[PorkRinds]

I'm puzzled why he he's been allowed to take hits during non game settings?  Seems like something as life changing as this would be handled a bit better.

Wait. That may be the single dumbest thing I've ever seen posted. So you're of the opinion that a game setting would be the best place for him to take a hit the first time? He's a football player. He's going to have to take hits. A controlled environment is much preferable to a game situation.

[hoglady]

Yep.  smh, too, not because I want to see RWIII in a Hogs uniform, but because the report is a stinger and because he said, "Let me up coach, this is embarrassing."

Players get stingers all the time.  RWIII led the SEC in rushing with his neck injury healed. If he suffered a stinger that isn't related to his neck injury, why would he quit now?  If his injury Saturday was related to the old injury or increases the chances of serious future injury, well, that's a different story, but not the one we've heard so far. 

We'll all love Rawleigh and his family no matter what he does.

Well - even Bo Mattingly said on his show yesterday it sure seems like it could have been more than a stinger. That Raleigh was having tingling and numbness in his arms and hands on Sunday morning.
So when you hear that - of course, it leads to conjecture.

[jry04]

Well - even Bo Mattingly said on his show yesterday it sure seems like it could have been more than a stinger. That Raleigh was having tingling and numbness in his arms and hands on Sunday morning.
So when you hear that - of course, it leads to conjecture.

He also said as of yesterday morning he was under the impression RW3 was still in the hospital.

[hoglady]

He also said as of yesterday morning he was under the impression RW3 was still in the hospital.

You're right - he said that, too.
But I think Raleigh did get out of the hospital at some point yesterday.