Posted by Perry
If you’ve read this blog for a while, then you know by now my opinion of sports. I wanted to share this story with you, however, to tell you about someone who has been a class act from day one.
David Pollack was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round in 2005 out of the University of Georgia as a defensive end. The plan was to convert him to an outside linebacker to better utilize his athletic ability. After a lengthy hold-out, David arrived during the final weeks of the preseason and soon after became a starter.
The fans quickly took to David and his new wife, Lindsey, with his quiet demeanor and work ethic on the field and off. The Pollack family is deeply religious and David was very active in the community and a steady presence in the locker room as a rookie. David’s performance on the field improved each game culminating in his performance in the AFC Wild Card game against Pittsburgh that same year and expectations were high going into the 2006 season.
In a September game against Cleveland, David assisted in a tackle on the Brown’s Rueben Droughns and did not get up from the field. He was removed on a stretcher and gave the crowd a “thumbs-up” sign – it was later revealed that he had fractured the sixth cervical disc in his neck. He suffered no paralysis, but his career was suddenly in jeopardy as quickly as it had started.
David underwent surgery and wore a halo during his recovery, all the while keeping a positive outlook and continually stating his faith in God to get him through the ordeal. Today, it is unknown whether David will ever step onto the field as a player again – but his inspiring presence has endeared him to fans – myself among them.
If there were more players like David Pollack, perhaps my outlook on sports would be much different.