Fans of clubs like the Dallas Cowboys recognize that football is a physically demanding sport and that some players may not have the good fortune to retire comfortably due to injuries and other health issues. Still, it’s unexpected when a former professional dies unexpectedly.
The sudden death of a former Cowboys lineman serves as a reminder to all of us of the fragility of life and the health hazards that professional football players encounter.
Tony Hutson was a guard who spent 1997–1999 with the Dallas Cowboys. He only played one more season with the Washington Redskins at the beginning of the new century before falling out of the NFL; thus, his career didn’t really take off after leaving the team. It was revealed that the 49-year-old had recently gone away. But no report was published regarding the reason for his premature death.
Pro Football Talk also discussed his health issues, which nearly destroyed his draft prospects: Before the 1996 draft, a golf-ball-sized tumor was found behind Hutson’s right lung. Despite being a benign tumor, Hutson was able to sign with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent after being selected for the NAIA All-America team while attending Northeastern Oklahoma State.
The Gridiron Heroes offer their sympathies to Hutson’s friends and family. Do football players actually face more danger? The topic of player safety will undoubtedly come up again in light of Hutson’s untimely death.
In comparison to their counterparts who have never played the sport professionally, NFL players experience fewer years without illness, according to the Football Players Health Study at Harvard University. These hazards are particularly present for linemen. It also ignores the long-term risks, severe wounds, and concussions that these athletes experience.
Even though the NFL is actively working to make football a safer sport for its players, full-contact sports like football are bound to include injuries of this nature. Given the continued rise in value of teams like the Dallas Cowboys, this is a touchy subject. Even though the league is making every effort, it could be time to have more discussions regarding this subject.
