In 2012, the New York Giants were fresh off of winning their fourth Super Bowl Championship in franchise history. The Giants used their first round pick in the 2012 National Football League Draft on Virginia Tech running back David Wilson who was expected to bring excitement to their backfield. Wilson had gained 1,709 rushing yards in his last season at Virginia Tech and he was named the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Player of the Year. As a rookie with the Giants, Wilson only gained 358 rushing yards, but he excelled on special teams as a kick returner as he gained 1,533 return yards and one touchdown. Following the 2012 NFL season, the Giants released running back Ahmad Bradshaw which paved the way for Wilson to be the team’s starting tailback. But in Week 5 of the 2013 NFL season, Wilson suffered a severe neck injury. Wilson suffered spinal stenosis and he would miss the remainder of the season. Wilson had off-season neck surgery and he rehabbed in order to return to the gridiron. Earlier this year Wilson received the green light to return to playing football. But this past Tuesday at Giants training camp, Wilson suffered a neck burner that may end his once promising National Football League career.
In the NFL most players fear the dreaded ACL injury, but a neck injury is even harder to return from as players are consistently taking blows to the head. When you add to the fact that Wilson is a running back and they get hit more than any other position the Giants are not that optimistic that Wilson will ever return to the football field.
At 5’10”, 206 lbs., Wilson is a burner as he ran a 4.49 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. But all the speed will not help Wilson if is his neck is unable to sustain the punishment of playing in the National Football League. If Wilson were unable to play football anymore he would join a list of players who had their careers cut short due to neck injuries.
In 1973, the Baltimore Colts used the second overall pick of the NFL Draft on LSU quarterback Bert Jones. Jones had some big shoes to fill in Baltimore as he would replace longtime Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas. Jones would lead the Colts to three consecutive AFC East Titles and he was also the National Football League’s Most Valuable Player in 1976 as he led the league in passing yardage (3,104). In 1982, the Colts traded Jones to the Los Angeles Rams. But Jones would only play four games for the Rams as he suffered a broken neck which ended his NFL career at the age of 31.
In 1988, the Green Bay Packers made wide receiver Sterling Sharpe the seventh overall selection of the NFL Draft. It didn’t take Sharpe that long to solidify himself as one of the best receivers in football. In 1989, Sharpe had 90 receptions for 1,423 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns as he earned the first of his five Pro Bowl selections. Sharpe would lead the NFL in receptions on three separate occasions. But in Week 17 of the 1994 NFL season, Sharpe sustained a neck injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers which prematurely ended his NFL career at the age of 29. Sharpe finished his National Football League career with 595 receptions, 8,134 receiving yards, and 79 receiving touchdowns.
Unlike Jones and Sharpe, Wilson may never get the opportunity to get his feet wet in the NFL. The results are not back in yet for Wilson, but you never rule out the chance that Wilson would cause permanent damage if he were to return to the football field. Wilson has 6 touchdowns for his NFL career which he capped off with his signature back flip. But just like the speed that Wilson has displayed on the football field, his career may be over in a flash.
Source: Pro-football-reference.com
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