Cleveland Browns

Ex-NFL player's concussion comments tell the truth about attitudes

Published Dec. 30, 2015 9:29 p.m. ET

foxsports

Even if you haven't seen the "Concussion" movie, you likely have seen the trailers. One moment constantly repeated is Will Smith, playing the doctor taking on the NFL over the long-term effects of head trauma, pointing an accusatory finger and saying, "Tell the truth!"

Jerod Cherry, a former NFL player who hosts a sports talk show in Cleveland, apparently has done just that -- though not in a way that is going to make player safety advocates feel any better.

Speaking about Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel, who may miss Cleveland's final game because he's in the league's concussion protocol, Cherry said sometimes players just have to play through that ringing in their head.

“If you’re serious about winning, you better play through some concussions.” - @JRCherry3 #Browns
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) December 30, 2015

After his comments drew fire, Cherry wasn't backing down a bit.

Writing at For The Win, Chris Korman nails the point about what Cherry's attitude tells us:

Maybe Cherry also thought it was funny when, earlier this month, Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach made an awful joke at a black-tie event about how he confused Commissioner Roger Goodell with the late Pete Rozelle because, you know, Staubach had six concussions when he was playing with the Cowboys.

Though Goodell laughed, much of crowd didn't sound amused. What matters, though, is less about how the crowd feels and more about how those within football itself feel. As Cherry has demonstrated, the game could still have a ways to go.