Final Blow May Be Chargers’ Apathy

If you missed it, imagine a sledgehammer trying to slam a twopenny nail into concrete, and you have the picture of Cincinnati Bengal defender Reinard Wilson wrapping his arms around Charger quarterback Stan Humphries and then riding him--helmet first--to the artificial turf at Cinergy Field.

Humphries’ head bounced, and days later the sight on videotape still draws a cringe: Humphries flattened at the eight-yard line, trying to sit up but unable, his head bobbing, his eyes darting for an answer, and obviously he has suffered a concussion for the second time in 18 days.

And while doctors from both teams rushed to Humphries’ assistance, not one Charger teammate is seen on videotape moving toward their quarterback or inquiring about their field leader’s health.

“Disgraceful,” says a Charger executive later when asked about the team’s apparent lack of support for one of its own. “It’s not the first time either.”

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Standing bravely in the pocket, holding the ball till the last second before throwing it down field and then getting hit, has become Humphries’ trademark, along with a winning percentage that placed him only second to Green Bay’s Brett Favre’s before the season among NFL starters.

As tough as they come, Humphries has embodied the characteristics associated with a warrior, but while most NFL teams preach teamwork, brotherhood and all for one and one for all, surprisingly, it appeared the Chargers abandoned him.

“What’s the big deal?” says Charger guard Ike Davis.

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A few minutes pass on videotape with not a player or coach in sight, Humphries grabbing for his head but rebuffed by his own facemask, officials calling for a cart, and then San Diego tackle Tony Berti is seen ambling over for a look at Humphries.

In time, the TV cameras focus on Charger Coach Kevin Gilbride, and he remains on the sideline, his arms crossed, waiting for play to resume.

More than three minutes pass and officials are calling for a stretcher, five minutes have gone by and now the TV cameras find Gilbride still standing on the sideline, his headset off, waiting for play to resume.

Seven minutes have gone by and officials begin to slide a board underneath Humphries to lift him onto a stretcher, and in Louisiana, Humphries’ wife, Connie, is on the telephone frantically trying to arrange a flight to Cincinnati.

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The headaches remain constant, beating everything Tylenol has to offer, and everyone but everyone who has ever been affected by too many bumps to the head has been telling Humphries, who has had four concussions in 22 months, to call it quits.

“I saw something on TV the other night about [former Ram quarterback] Chris Miller,” Humphries says. “He said he still has bad headaches, he sometimes walks into a mall and comes out and forgets where he parked his car. I don’t think I’m there, but who’s to say the next one won’t put you there?

“If I saw someone sitting on the stool next to me going through this I’d be telling him, ‘Get out.’ If I had a son who had two concussions, I’d tell him he wasn’t playing anymore. But it’s hard for you to tell yourself that.

“I’m a 32-year-old guy, and what do you do for the rest of your life? If somebody walked up to me and asked me what I was going to do after football, I honestly couldn’t tell them.”

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“What’s the big deal?” asks Ike Davis in a shameless display of nonsupport for a fallen teammate.

“We tried to help him up right after he got hit and were told by the trainer to stop and give him some room,” said Raleigh McKenzie, Charger center. “We tried to get our group together, and we were getting on each other to stop this and play better. That was really going on more so with us, while they were trying to revive Stan.”

A night later in Kansas City, Chief tight end Ted Popson is hit hard in the head and he remains on the ground and surrounded by more than 25 teammates, Kansas City Coach Marty Schottenheimer and even Pittsburgh Coach Bill Cowher.

On the field in Cincinnati, however, Humphries is being given the cold shoulder, and by way of jaded explanation, says backup quarterback Jim Everett, “I think everyone has compassion on this team, but if you’re asking me are they getting used to seeing Stan injured. . . . Is it more common to see Stan on the ground--probably more so than other quarterbacks.”

After watching Humphries fall with a second concussion in 18 days, however, why wouldn’t Gilbride & Co. rush to his side to satisfy their own concerns about the potential for serious harm?

One by one, after speaking with the team’s public relations department, each offensive lineman came over to say they were told by the team’s medical staff to stay out of the way. And after Everett’s interview and then consultation with a public relations assistant, he returned later to adjust his comments. “The answer you probably need is that the team’s medical staff asked everyone to stay out of the way.”

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The videotape continues to track Humphries’ nine-minute episode on the field Sunday in Cincinnati before he is wheeled off to the hospital, and now a little more than seven minutes in, Berti is joined by wide receiver Tony Martin, running back Gary Brown and Gilbride, who bends down for a closer look at his quarterback before standing and retreating to the sideline.

Humphries is lifted onto the stretcher, strapped in still wearing his helmet, and the videotape does not show one player or coach stepping forward to extend a reassuring touch of support.

“I don’t ever remember seeing Coach [Bobby] Ross go on the field,” said David Neville, Charger media relations director.

Gilbride, meanwhile, is snippy in his response. He was out there, he says. He cares, he says. Next question.

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Humphries will not be allowed to play football for one month after the last of the headaches has disappeared, and considering the lifeless play of his offensive line, this is a good thing.

Trainer Keoki Kamau said Humphries suffered a Grade 3 concussion, the most serious kind, and the sixth in his career with the Chargers.

“And let’s put this on the record--these are the ones I know about,” Kamau says.

San Francisco’s Steve Young and Dallas’ Troy Aikman also have been confronted with career decisions after repeated concussions, and each has opted to play. But as Humphries pointed out, those players are not married, and they do not have 7-year-old Brooke, and 4-year-old Chelsea Rae at home.

“It’s a decision between doing something you love and loving the people you have at home,” Humphries said.

There is talk now that the team will not allow him to return next year and play the final year of his contract, which is not guaranteed, but calls for him to earn $3.8 million.

“Ultimately, it could not be my choice to return,” said Humphries, the team’s starting quarterback since 1992. “But if it is, I don’t know if I will want to play again.”

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But why would he want to risk his good life for teammates who do not appear to care? Why would he want to return and play for a coach seemingly more interested in prepping his replacement than checking on his welfare? Why risk it all for these guys?

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Patent on Patience

Only NFL franchises that have never fired a head coach during the season:

BEARS: 77 seasons

PACKERS: 76 seasons

COWBOYS: 37 seasons

CHARGERS: 37 seasons

VIKINGS: 36 seasons

DOLPHINS: 31 seasons

PANTHERS: 2 seasons

JAGUARS: 2 seasons

RAVENS: 1 season

Source: World Features Syndicate