Former Patriot Says Belichick Encouraged Full Contact
By ALAN GREENBERG
Hartford (Conn.) Courant Staff Writer
February 3 2007
Former Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson, who is now dealing with memory loss and depression related to repeated concussions during his 10-year NFL career, said Patriots coach Bill Belichick encouraged him to engage in full-scale practice while recovering from a concussion, against the advice of the Patriots' head trainer.
Johnson, who retired in 2005 on the eve of training camp, told The Boston Globe that he began having serious memory problems when he sustained two concussions in four days in August 2002. The first was in an exhibition against the Giants, the second after colliding with a teammate in practice.
Johnson told The Globe that trainer Jim Whalen had told him to refrain from contact at that practice, so Johnson donned a red jersey, signifying that. But later, before a 9-on-7 drill, an assistant trainer handed Johnson a blue jersey, signifying full contact.
"I looked at the trainer and said, `Who told you to give me this?'" Johnson told The Globe. "He just walked away. He didn't want to say. But I knew who it was. It was Bill [Belichick]. I was so mad, I wanted to scream. But I put the thing on anyway. I had my pride. They weren't going to beat me."
Instead, Johnson sustained another concussion. Despite his sacrifice, when the Patriots were getting ready for their season opener several weeks later, Johnson surmised that he was not going to be included on the 45-man game day roster. He left the team only to return after Belichick refused to release him.
When Johnson and Belichick sat down in September 2002 to try to repair their strained relationship, Johnson told The Globe that he told Belichick, "You played God with my health. You knew I shouldn't have been cleared to play."
Belichick told The Globe he didn't realize at the time that Johnson was hesitant about participating in the full-contact drill.
"If Ted felt so strongly that he didn't feel he was ready to practice with us, he should have told me," Belichick said.
At that September 2002 meeting, Johnson said Belichick admitted that he made a mistake by subjecting him to a full-contact drill.
"It was a real kind of admittance, but it was only him and I in the room," Johnson told The New York Times. "There's something wrong with me. There's something wrong with my brain. And I know when it started."
According to The Globe, the Patriots did not allow Whalen, who is still their head trainer, to be interviewed.
Johnson's current neurologist, Dr. Robert Cantu, said Johnson shows signs of early Alzheimer's disease and that his current problems - depression, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, irritability, memory loss, poor concentration, ringing in the ears and acute sensitivity to noise - are related to the numerous concussions he has had. Cantu told The Times that these are "rather classic post-concussion symptoms. ... They are most likely permanent."
Johnson told The Globe that he thought he had at least six concussions in his last three Patriots seasons but reported only one because he didn't want to underscore his reputation as an injury-prone player. He said the recent suicide of former NFL defensive back Andre Waters, who also had multiple concussions and depression, caused him to finally speak out.
"Looking back, it was stupid not to tell anyone," Johnson said. "But I didn't know then that every time you have a concussion, you are four to six times more susceptible the next time. I had no idea the damage I was causing myself."
Patriots owner Robert Kraft, in Miami for the Super Bowl, said he wasn't qualified to talk about concussions.
"Ted is one of my favorite players, someone I've had a deep relationship with," Kraft said Friday. "He's going through a difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with him."
Speaking at his annual state of the NFL press conference Friday, new commissioner Roger Goodell said he only became aware of the situation Thursday, but that a player's health should take precedence over football.
By ALAN GREENBERG
Hartford (Conn.) Courant Staff Writer
February 3 2007
Former Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson, who is now dealing with memory loss and depression related to repeated concussions during his 10-year NFL career, said Patriots coach Bill Belichick encouraged him to engage in full-scale practice while recovering from a concussion, against the advice of the Patriots' head trainer.
Johnson, who retired in 2005 on the eve of training camp, told The Boston Globe that he began having serious memory problems when he sustained two concussions in four days in August 2002. The first was in an exhibition against the Giants, the second after colliding with a teammate in practice.
Johnson told The Globe that trainer Jim Whalen had told him to refrain from contact at that practice, so Johnson donned a red jersey, signifying that. But later, before a 9-on-7 drill, an assistant trainer handed Johnson a blue jersey, signifying full contact.
"I looked at the trainer and said, `Who told you to give me this?'" Johnson told The Globe. "He just walked away. He didn't want to say. But I knew who it was. It was Bill [Belichick]. I was so mad, I wanted to scream. But I put the thing on anyway. I had my pride. They weren't going to beat me."
Instead, Johnson sustained another concussion. Despite his sacrifice, when the Patriots were getting ready for their season opener several weeks later, Johnson surmised that he was not going to be included on the 45-man game day roster. He left the team only to return after Belichick refused to release him.
When Johnson and Belichick sat down in September 2002 to try to repair their strained relationship, Johnson told The Globe that he told Belichick, "You played God with my health. You knew I shouldn't have been cleared to play."
Belichick told The Globe he didn't realize at the time that Johnson was hesitant about participating in the full-contact drill.
"If Ted felt so strongly that he didn't feel he was ready to practice with us, he should have told me," Belichick said.
At that September 2002 meeting, Johnson said Belichick admitted that he made a mistake by subjecting him to a full-contact drill.
"It was a real kind of admittance, but it was only him and I in the room," Johnson told The New York Times. "There's something wrong with me. There's something wrong with my brain. And I know when it started."
According to The Globe, the Patriots did not allow Whalen, who is still their head trainer, to be interviewed.
Johnson's current neurologist, Dr. Robert Cantu, said Johnson shows signs of early Alzheimer's disease and that his current problems - depression, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, irritability, memory loss, poor concentration, ringing in the ears and acute sensitivity to noise - are related to the numerous concussions he has had. Cantu told The Times that these are "rather classic post-concussion symptoms. ... They are most likely permanent."
Johnson told The Globe that he thought he had at least six concussions in his last three Patriots seasons but reported only one because he didn't want to underscore his reputation as an injury-prone player. He said the recent suicide of former NFL defensive back Andre Waters, who also had multiple concussions and depression, caused him to finally speak out.
"Looking back, it was stupid not to tell anyone," Johnson said. "But I didn't know then that every time you have a concussion, you are four to six times more susceptible the next time. I had no idea the damage I was causing myself."
Patriots owner Robert Kraft, in Miami for the Super Bowl, said he wasn't qualified to talk about concussions.
"Ted is one of my favorite players, someone I've had a deep relationship with," Kraft said Friday. "He's going through a difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with him."
Speaking at his annual state of the NFL press conference Friday, new commissioner Roger Goodell said he only became aware of the situation Thursday, but that a player's health should take precedence over football.
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