Occupatonal Hazards

My father had a bit that he used to do about how professional football players are probably more prone to injury during those end zone celebrations than they are just playing the game. I think of this every time I see players thumping and slapping one another to get "psyched up" to go out on the field. Last season, coach Jim Harbaugh got his quarterback Alex Smith game-ready by smacking him around a little bit. The San Francisco Forty-Niners might have played in the Super Bowl if Alex hadn't been so "ready."
I remember the Denver Broncos had a linebacker who once separated his shoulder as he spiked the ball after returning a fumble for a touchdown. That would be Godwin Turk who, along with eight other Broncos, are suing the NFL for workers' compensation for injuries sustained while playing football. I looked on YouTube for some video evidence of Mister Turk doing damage to himself, but found nothing. Except Gus Frerotte butting his head against the wall after scoring, and giving himself a concussion in the process. No word on how Gus' lawsuit against vertical surfaces is going.
And it's not just football. This past week, San Francisco's Matt Cain pitched a perfect game. In all of the excitement that ensued directly after this accomplishment, Cain survived the bench-clearing dog pile on the mound and was able to walk, unassisted to the podium afterward to talk to reporters. His teammate, Aubrey Huff was not so lucky. The left fielder, who was not playing in the game, sprained his knee as a result of all the tomfoolery that ensued after the final out. History was made by Matt Cain, and Huff will be headed for the DL. Maybe he should give Godwin Turk's lawyer a call.