Ike Hilliard Is Tougher Than You

October 20, 2008 at 01:04pm by Scott   •  2 Comments »

There was about 60 seconds there last night when I was fairly certain that Ike Hilliard was dead. Not figuratively or metaphorically. I mean I thought that the collision could have very well snapped his neck. You can see his eyes rolling into the back of his head on the replay and everything. Then when he moved on his own, I was pretty sure he was alive and that he’d just have to drink his meals through a straw for the rest of his life. Everyone knew it was serious; they had the cart out on the field faster than I’ve ever seen them bring it out before. Then, following the commercial break, Ike gets up, walks to the cart and rides shotgun. Leroy Hill speared Hilliard helmet-to-helmet, wedged him between himself and Lofa Tatupu, snapped his neck back, and Hilliard walked away. And then, get this… he wanted to go back into the game.

“He was on the cart and he was alert and wanted to go back into the game, to be honest with you,” said [Jon] Gruden on Monday morning, shaking his head appreciatively. “He is unbelievable. I’m just thankful that he’s okay.”

Here’s the hit. You tell me. There’s an awful long list of shit I’d do to not be involved in something like this. Crazy, weird shit.

Even better news is that Hilliard was just diagnosed with a concussion and will be fine. He may not be able to remember his name in ten years, but he’s fine now.

“Ike Hilliard left the hospital last night,” reported Gruden. “He checked out okay. I’m very happy to give you that news. I don’t know what his status will be like this week. He was obviously checked out thoroughly last night and all indications were good, but we’ll see how he feels here in the coming days. Right now I would say it’s in question.”

Hill will undoubtedly be getting a fine in the mail this week. Eric Smith was suspended for a game and fined $50,000 for his hit on Anquan Boldin a few weeks ago. I don’t know why this should be any different.

In other injury-related news, Warrick Dunn has a pinched nerve in his neck. No one has said what his likelihood is for the Dallas game yet, but if he can’t go I would imagine that Michael Bennett will see increased play.