What player in the NFL, past or present, would you have wanted to see succeed so badly but due to injuries, off the field issues, or whatever happened just derailed their career? For me it was unfortunate to see players like Josh Gordon or Justin Blackmon have their careers end or never getting back on track because of off-field issues.
The same reason he was so great is why his career ended quickly. He played so recklessly with his body and it couldn’t hold up. If he had played a little less recklessly, could he have played longer? Maybe, impossible to know. But if he hadn’t gotten hurt so much and played for just a few more years at that level, he’d be a HOF lock. It would be among the best stretches of defensive play in league history.
It’s super weird because a lot of what made him great was his reckless abandon, so if he toned it down, would he still be as great as he was? I am sure he would have been, but it does make me wonder…
It goes both ways. If he played differently he might not have been as good as he was.
The same could’ve been said about Earl Campbell having a rather short career. Difference is that Campbell racked up damn near every trophy possible, which I suppose is easier to do for an offensive player.