Football - Belichik Forced Ted Johnson To Full Cont

Ted Johnson the former New England Patriots linebacker has contended during practice sessions he was put through hard hits by coach Bill Belichick and this was while he was recovering from a concussion and against the head trainer’s advise.

Johnson was one of the key players who helped the Patriots win three Super Bowl titles. He retired two years ago and is just 34 years old now.

In 2002, Johnson suffered a concussion after colliding with another player during a practice session. Thereafter, he suffered from additional concussions over the next three years and now he forgets people’s names, misses appointments, suffers from depression and is addicted to amphetamines.

Johnson played in the NFL for 10 years and in an interview to The New York Times he told them that he knows from when his condition started worsening. In August 2002 he suffered a concussion during an exhibition match against the New York Giants. Four days later he suffered another concussion after Belichick forced him to a full contact practice even though he was suppose to avoid getting hit on his head.

Belichick said that he had no clue that Johnson did not want to take part in a full contact practice. He also said that if Johnson was not ready to practice, he should have told him about it.

Patriots’ spokesperson Tracy James said that she was aware of the report in The Times as well as The Boston Globe, which has posted a similar story on its website, but did not comment on it. The Patriots did not allow Jim Whalen, who is still the head trainer, to comment on the story.

Johnson said that he had had at least six concussions in his last three seasons but reported only one as he was known as an injury prone player and did not want to make matters worse for himself. According to Johnson’s current neurologist, Dr Robert Cantu, Johnson’s present problems are connected to his previous head injuries and the symptoms that he is displaying currently were classic symptoms displayed after a concussion. Dr Cantu is the chief of neurosurgery and director of sports medicines at Emerson Hospital in Massachusetts.

Previously the Times had reported that brain damaged caused on the football field had led to the suicide of defensive back Andre Waters in November 2006.