Playing hurt: Self-sacrifice, perseverance considered a personal foul

Rarely are thoughts of self-preservation and personal gain allowed to permeate the hard-hitting culture that surrounds the NFL. For members of this community it is inconceivable to scorn a star player for being too tough.

However, when these players opt to play while injured in lieu of undergoing season-ending surgeries, the football world throws a flag. Mainstream names, such as perennial Pro Bowler Shawne Merriman, have received heavy criticism for their persistence and unwillingness to accept defeat – characteristics that usually garner unwavering fan support.

Not to mention money. With only two years remaining on his contract, Merriman will be looking to put up the kind of numbers that would warrant a lucrative new contract or extension.

“I’m going to play until I can’t take it anymore,” Merriman told the San Diego Union-Tribune in the wake of his injury. “I’ll go out there and do everything I can. Put off the surgery till it’s time to get it.”

Apparently, the time for surgery is now. Merriman played in the San Diego Chargers’ season-opener, but his performance was far from the dominating displays of strength and speed that Charger fans have become accustomed to. After reviewing game film, Merriman finally succumbed to the mounting pressure to go under the knife.

Former VCU basketball standout Wilfried Fameni empathizes with Merriman’s initial decision to play.

“I definitely understand where he’s coming from,” Fameni said. “That’s his gamble to take.”

This past season, Fameni was forced to make a similar decision. Unlike Merriman, Fameni’s choice was not impacted by thoughts of contract extensions or endorsement deals . only the will to play.

“As an athlete, what you work for is the ability to showcase your skills to the fans,” Fameni said. “When you can’t show the fans what you’ve been working on, it is really tough. You don’t want to pout or look sad but it’s hard because you want to go out there with your teammates.”

After an impressive junior season, Fameni’s senior campaign was hindered by damaged knee cartilage and a sprained knee ligament. The injury, which sometimes made it difficult for the 6-7 forward to walk, persisted throughout the final season of his collegiate career.

“When I got the MRI, I talked to Coach Anthony Grant and he said it was my decision to sit out or play through the pain,” Fameni said. “I chose to play through the pain,”

Despite his efforts, Fameni saw limited action as the season progressed and was unable to play in seven of the team’s games.

“I felt by not playing, I let my teammates down. Maybe I wasn’t the best guy, but I’ve been through a lot of games and I felt like the freshmen could have relied on my experience.”

Chad Johnson also chose to forego medical treatment; a risk that seems strange for a player who considered skipping the season to pursue an acting career. Johnson, who recently changed his legal surname to Ocho Cinco, is more often associated with his off-field antics than ill-advised toughness. However, after a tumultuous summer, in which he demanded a trade and threatened to sit the season out, No. 85 refused to let a pesky shoulder injury stop him from silencing his many critics.

Johnson, who suffered a partially-torn labrum in a preseason game against the Detroit Lions, decided to postpone the lengthy rehabilitation process until after the season. He will wear a shoulder harness in an attempt to keep the injury from worsening.

Like Merriman and Fameni, Johnson’s attitude toward the injury is reflective of his game day tenacity and inability to throw in the towel.

“There is nothing wrong with me,” Johnson said, downplaying the potential consequences of his decision. “I can hit you with my left right now, but I’m not going to. I’m fine.”