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Concussions ruin the careers of many NFL players and unfortunately it looks like Jahvid Best might be one of those guys. The Detroit Lions released him on Wednesday, in a move that many expected. The talented running back just hasn’t been able to stay on the field in his career and concussions even forced him to miss all of last season.
Best did comment on his release in a statement provided by the Lions:
“I want to thank the Detroit Lions organization for drafting me and giving me an opportunity to fulfill my dream and play in the National Football League. My time as a member of the Lions was a very special time in my life. My teammates, the members of the organization, the Lions fans and the people of Detroit will hold a special place in my heart. I’ll always be a Lion.”
While this is sad news, it was just time for the Lions to move on. They’ve finally found his replacement in the form of Reggie Bush and they could no longer afford to wait on Best or take the risk of him getting injured again.
At this point, it’s very likely that Best is done with football for good. He’s had his bell rung significantly on too many occasions and one more could time be the final straw. With the emerging research on the impact of concussions, Best would probably be wise to take what money he’s saved and walk away.
You truly hate to see stories like this, but it’s a harsh reality of today’s sports world – players with multiple concussions need to hang it before they risk long-term effects. I don’t blame the Lions one bit for their decision, because they have to move on as an organization.
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