When most people think of athletic injuries their minds probably go to football. However, one of the most dangerous sports is fútbol, or soccer. Soccer is a sport that revolves around physical contact from slide tackles to head butts, it is a contact sport. The most common injuries are that of the head, shoulders, hips, ankles, and knees. Soccer is one of the few sports where the head is not protected, even football players wear helmets. Soccer is unique because it is one of the few sports where hands are off limits. Soccer injuries range from a simple concussion to death, it all depends on the skill and power of the player.
An example of an extreme head trauma from playing soccer is the life changing experience artist Andrea Bocelli witnessed early on in his life. He already had trouble seeing but when he was hit in the head with the ball, it caused him to go completely blind at the age of 12.That one soccer game changed his life.
An experienced soccer player Ethan Tait has probably witnessed the most injuries a soccer player can have, but the one that changed his perspective on the game was the one that almost ended his career. Last summer Ethan was invited to a soccer camp at Cal Poly,San Luis Obispowhere college coaches were looking at him as a potential player for their team. Ethan, of course, wanting to show off, went up against the biggest player at the camp for the ball. Grabbing the other guy’s jersey he was thrown across the field and had his shoulder dislocated. “I was just playing the game, pulling and jerking the other players around is all a part of the game” Ethan responded to the question asked on why he did what he did. Little did he know the great damage he had caused for himself and the pause he put on his soccer career.
After many doctor visits it was decided that he had to undergo shoulder surgery. This meant not playing soccer for two months prior to the surgery and four and a half months following. He was flown out toChicagowhere the shoulder professional worked. He stayed inChicagofor a few days after the surgery as well in order to make sure everything went as planned. From the time the surgery was over, four weeks later he was in a confined sling. Ethan also experienced four months of diligent physical therapy where he regained his mobility in his shoulder. He made a full recovery but it was hard work getting his game back. Soccer is his life.
Soccer is one of the most dangerous sports. It is player versus player. It is the game filled with passion, skill, and yes, injuries.
