Bears Chris Conte Would Rather Die 10 to 15 Years Earlier Than Not Play Football
Chicago Bears safety Chris Conte is currently on the injured list after suffering a third concussion suffered against the Carolina Panthers this season. Concussion awareness is at an all-time high in the NFL. However, Conte, now in his fourth season with the Bears – isn’t worried about his long-term health. In a shocking interview on local Chicago radio, Conte said, “I’d rather have the experience of playing in the NFL and die 10 to 15 years earlier than not play in the NFL and have a long life. I don’t really look toward my life after football. I’ll figure things out when I get there.” In our opinion, Chris Conte and his preference to die earlier than not play football is a damning indictment on the current state of player safety in the NFL.
The NFL is More Important Than Life to Conte
Conte also told WBBM-AM 780, “As long as I outlive my parents…. I’m not saying I’m going to go die when I’m 45, 50. I’m fortunate to go out and play football.” The well-respected safety for the Bears has been forced off the field with injuries in seven of the 12 games he’s played this season. Conte isn’t alone in saying he’s willing to put his body on the line despite the risks. Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman wrote in 2013 that he thinks the league is unfairly penalizing players in an effort to make the game safer, and that current NFL players understand the hazards of the job.
As reported by MMQB, Sherman said, “Do I think about the consequences 30 years down the line? No more than I think about the food I’m enjoying today, which could be revealed in 30 years to cause cancer or a heart murmur or something else unpredictable. Those are the things you can’t plan for.”
We hope NFL players understand football is a game. As fans, we appreciate their warrior spirit, but we wish they had a different perspective. The NFL is not worth losing your life for. How do you feel about the topic? Should more players agree with Chris Conte and rather die 15 years earlier than not play football in the NFL?
