You get to see a lot of QQ and whining from pro sport 'stars', particularly when cut or dropped from a team. It kinda hurts when you know how much money they get paid to see such prima donna behaviour, but every now and then you get suprised, in a nice way.
Cue Hunter Hillenmeyer, a long-time player for my beloved NFL Chicago Bears who produced probably the classiest exit from pro sports that I have seen in many a year.
My respect to you Mr Hillenmeyer, sir. :worship:
http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2011/02/grateful-hillenmeyer-uncertain-about-his-future.html
QuoteGrateful Hillenmeyer uncertain about his future
February 28, 2011 1:53 PM
By Brad Biggs
His release earlier Monday from the Chicago Bears did not come as a surprise to Hunter Hillenmeyer.
Off the record, the veteran linebacker said months ago that he expected the club to release him after the season. That's what happened when he was included in a news release along with defensive tackle Tommie Harris and offensive tackle Kevin Shaffer.
Hillenmeyer was placed on injured reserve after Week 1 with concussion symptoms related to a head injury he suffered in preseason. Hillenmeyer has not passed a team physical yet and if head injuries lead to the end of his career, it will be interesting to see if he pursues the base salary of $1.8 million he had remaining on his contract for the 2011 season.
In an email to the Tribune, Hillenmeyer said,
"I have nothing but the utmost respect for the Bears organization. I do not leave this franchise bitter or feeling slighted by anyone in the building. In truth, I've known this day was coming since I landed on IR back in September. In that conversation with Lovie (Smith), he acknowledged that having been made aware of my history, and the number of concussions I had sustained on his watch, that he could not be a part of forcing me back out on the field.
"While at the time I was frustrated with such an abrupt end to my season, I have sought out and continue to seek the medical opinions of the best doctors in country as it relates to brain health and concussions. I am yet to find one that thinks it is a good idea to continue playing football. In hindsight, that makes me grateful that Lovie cared enough about me specifically, but really any player, to take that decision away as it pertains to a medical issue.
"Barring some unforeseen turn of events, I don't think there was a set of circumstances where I would have been cleared to play next season anyway. The more we pull back the curtain on the long-term effects of head injury, the scarier it gets for players in my position, who have multiple diagnosed concussions and countless more 'dings' and headaches. On one hand, I feel lucky to have been relatively candid about my symptoms compared to some colleagues who do everything they can to conceal their struggles. I can only thank the Bears organization, from the trainers and the doctors up to Lovie and Jerry (Angelo), for trying to be proactive in the way concussions are handled. On the other hand, any player who tells you they aren't affected by the tragic stories like Dave Duerson's, that seem to be popping up all too often, are lying.
"I'd like to thank coach (Bob) Babich, my linebacker coach for most of my eight years here, for playing as integral a role as anyone in my development as a player. It's been an honor to play for such a professional staff and with such outstanding teammates. We had a very special group in our linebacker room. While I was always like Ringo of the Beatles, next to such a talented pair, I think we have had the best and deepest linebacking corps in the NFL for a long time. As long as Lance (Briggs) and Brian (Urlacher) are out there together, expect the Bear's defense to remain elite.
"While I won't be filing any retirement papers tomorrow, if I've played my last football game, I'm glad it was with the Bears. Even though I was drafted elsewhere, I have absolutely loved my time as Bear. I love the city, I love the culture; the fans here make it especially easy to feel very at home in Chicago. I think guys like me who spend all of their career here don't realize how good they've got it. It's been a great ride nonetheless."
Great player, classy guy.
Reminds me of the great Richard Hill. I'll never forget watching Hill putting in a MOTM performance in the Heineken Cup shortly before he retired, despite the fact that his knees were so bad that he had a permanent limp. Even on one leg he was awesome.