The Rumors of Larry Izzo’s Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated (According to Larry Izzo)
Jets LB Larry Izzo, who was placed on the IR last week, wrote via a text message to ESPN that although he’s concerned about his health, he’s not calling it a career just yet.
“There were reports related to a ‘career-threatening’ injury,” Izzo wrote in a text message, “and as realistic as I am about what point I’m at in my career and the nature of this sort of injury, I’m reluctant to make long-term decisions at this point.”
Izzo signed a one-year contract with the Jets. He would turn 36 next season.
The Jets said he’d complained of what he thought were stingers, common and generally insignificant football injuries that lead to temporary numbness in the extremities. But an MRI revealed something much more hazardous.
Ryan said the injury would require surgery if Izzo wanted to play again.
“I was surprised to learn that after playing 14 years in the NFL and possessing a vast knowledge of the capabilities and limits of the human body,” Izzo wrote, “I am still not considered a doctor and not licensed to practice medicine — at least not in this country.
“Having said that, I have to base all of my decisions for my future on what the doctors and spine specialist tell me. With the MRI showing a herniated disc in my neck, combined with the significant symptoms I was experiencing, they felt that to minimize the severity of the issue, you never want to mess around with this sort of injury to the neck with what players are required to do on the field.”
I’m glad to hear that Izzo isn’t ready to call it off yet. Izzo is an unassuming guy to the media, but he’s the type of guy that’s a leader in the locker room. Although I was against bringing Izzo onto the 53-man roster, Izzo played decently on special teams, culminating by forcing a fumble in Week 13 versus the Bills. We wish Izzo the best in whatever he choses, but know that the reality might be that it’s a long tough road for him to come back to this game at this point strictly as a special teams player.
5 Responses to The Rumors of Larry Izzo’s Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated (According to Larry Izzo)
-
tony soprano says:
you got that title from a rock band “Rise Against”
-
Snakeman says:
Or Mark Twain…
-
rasmusbach says:
well if his ST play culminated with a forced fumble againts the bills, that still won’t make up for the missed tackle on ginn against the dolphins.
-
Larry Izzo says:
I wish Larry a speedy recovery. I miss seeing him play
He’s tough and he’ll pull through.Larry Izzo Englewood Florida
he’ll play football again…..but i dont know where