Kevin Doyle Retires

[WOODLANDSWOLF]

Sad. Makes you wonder though.

http://tinyurl.com/ya3mmtvq

[Newcy Wolf]

Extremely sad but I can't think if there is anything that can be done about this.

I don't know the stats but it would be interesting to know how many from the hundreds of thousands (millions?) of ex footballers have suffered from brain injuries caused from heading a ball.

Taking the art of heading a ball out of the game would be like only allowing body shots in boxing.

[GrizzledWolf]

Extremely sad but I can't think if there is anything that can be done about this.

I don't know the stats but it would be interesting to know how many from the hundreds of thousands (millions?) of ex footballers have suffered from brain injuries caused from heading a ball.

Taking the art of heading a ball out of the game would be like only allowing body shots in boxing.

I totally agree with your comment, Newcy. Whilst I understand the reasons and admire the Astle family for their long campaign to outlaw the art of 'heading' from the game, it has now become an integral part of the game itself and to remove it would seem unthinkable. Perhaps, some whiz will design a lightweight protective helmet or somesuch, that would eliminate most or all of the shock experienced by a player when heading a ball. It wouldn;'t look the best perhaps, but it might solve the problem. I know I'm clutching at straws, but it was just a thought......... (I can hear you laughing from here)

[GrizzledWolf]

Sad news indeed !!! A few years ago when the Wolves squad was infected by the dissension and disloyalty of several senior players, Kevin Doyle was one of the few who remained loyal to the cause and wanted no part of it. I always respected him for that. Personally, I don't think we at Wolves ever saw the best of 'The Doyler' as a player. Sure, his score count wasn't always as high as it might have been, but he was a very honest player who always strived to do his best and who could honestly fault his work rate.

Some years ago, knowing of my love for Wolves, an Ossie mate holidaying in the U.K. went out of his way to visit the club shop wher he bought me a team shirt and by chance, a framed picture of Kevin Doyle. As I type this, that picture still hangs on the wall in my little office. Sadly, my old mate died last year, but the 'pic' of Kevin shall always remain there as a memory of a dear friend
and an honest to goodness footballer who once wore the black and old gold with pride.

[Newcy Wolf]

I totally agree with your comment, Newcy. Whilst I understand the reasons and admire the Astle family for their long campaign to outlaw the art of 'heading' from the game, it has now become an integral part of the game itself and to remove it would seem unthinkable. Perhaps, some whiz will design a lightweight protective helmet or somesuch, that would eliminate most or all of the shock experienced by a player when heading a ball. It wouldn;'t look the best perhaps, but it might solve the problem. I know I'm clutching at straws, but it was just a thought......... (I can hear you laughing from here)

Maybe not as silly an idea as you might think grizz.

Whereas in amateur boxing a head guard kind of takes the excitement and anticipation away from a classic knockout, some form of lightweight padded head guard wouldn't take anything away from the art of heading a ball. A slight mis direction perhaps, nothing more.

Although he wears it for different reasons, no one bats an eyelid when Petr Cech emerges from the tunnel these days.

[Evewolf65]

He retired in 2012 did Doyler He's lucky he can choose to retire at 34 because he's not sure whether headaches are gonna affect his future proffesional working life.
Jeez pal the real world is out here and waiting for you!
Some Blokes head the ball for a living and earn a fortune, some grovel around in Afgan sand whilst being blown up and shot and expect nothing for it! I know who I respect more

[Newcy Wolf]

He retired in 2012 did Doyler He's lucky he can choose to retire at 34 because he's not sure whether headaches are gonna affect his future proffesional working life.
Jeez pal the real world is out here and waiting for you!
Some Blokes head the ball for a living and earn a fortune, some grovel around in Afgan sand whilst being blown up and shot and expect nothing for it! I know who I respect more

Jeeez mate.

Bit unfair comparing a 'potential' brain injury to a life in the forces.

Both have a choice about what they want in life.

[Evewolf65]

Jeeez mate.

Bit unfair comparing a 'potential' brain injury to a life in the forces.

Both have a choice about what they want in life.

Ok the question of choice....... Kevin Doyle will retire to Co Wexford with his family at 34 and live an incredibly comfortable life unless HE chooses to F**k it up but he's been given an option probably by a top notch doctor,an expert in his field no doubt,decisions all of a sudden become easier to make. Jeff Astle, Stan Cullis, Peter Broadbent,Nobby Stiles, Martin Peters to name but a few never had a choice because back then being a professional footballer still meant you had to carry on regardless because you had a family to feed and a roof to try and keep over their heads. And no in the cold light of day I don't feel it unfair to compare a 'Potential' brain injury heading a football in a very cosseted world to guys who put their whole life on the line defending our way of life,for them the potential is much,much more real ! Anyways It's good we all don't see things the same, happy retirement Kev somehow I know You'll be fine.

[MichiganWolf]

CTE studies are still very young. Most players probably won't feel the effects of it til later in life. An NFL player, Junior Seau, committed suicide in his 40s and it is believed that CTE was the culprit.

Doyle said in his statement that he knew he was privileged. We can feel empathy for him, for players of yesteryear and for other less fortunate individuals (blue collar workers, soldiers etc) that have had their career or lives ended due to injuries all at the same time. It's not mutually exclusive.

[Evewolf65]

CTE studies are still very young. Most players probably won't feel the effects of it til later in life. An NFL player, Junior Seau, committed suicide in his 40s and it is believed that CTE was the culprit.

Doyle said in his statement that he knew he was privileged. We can feel empathy for him, for players of yesteryear and for other less fortunate individuals (blue collar workers, soldiers etc) that have had their career or lives ended due to injuries all at the same time. It's not mutually exclusive.

Mich I agree with quite a lot of what you say but what I posted were merely my thoughts