06-01 - NFL - Jeremy Shockey leaving on a midnight train to Georgia...

This weeks' blog will focus on one of the toughest NFL players that is still active. (next to Brett Favre of course! Link to my blog about Brett Favre) A true "iron-man" in my opinion, is an athlete who participates in the most roughest / demanding sport and is able to endure multiple injuries for the love of the game.

This iron-man is none other than the New Orleans' Saints Tight-End Jeremy Shockey. Jeremy Shockey was born on August 18, 1980, in Ada, Oklahoma. He was an exceptionally gifted athlete in his high school days, which carried over to his college career. In 2001, he helped the University of Miami football program win the National Title vs #2 ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers. After winning the National Championship and numerous "All-American" titles, he declared himself eligible for the NFL draft. After being selected number fourteen overall in the 1st round by the New York Giants, Shockey went on to have a tremendous NFL professional career. He has claimed the title of NFL Super Bowl champion on two different occasions, the 1st with the New York Giants in 2007 and most recently in 2010 with the mighty New Orleans' Saints. The Super Bowl rings, shared by numerous athletes, all came with a price. The price that Shockey paid was the unending list of injuries that he has incurred since joining the league. (List of injuries since 2002)

He is once again ailed by another injury. This time it has been reported that he experienced a "seizure" type of attack in the weight room. Since the "seizure", Saints' head coach Sean Payton has stated that it is not a seizure and he just fainted due to a low-blood sugar count coupled with dehydration.

This intrigued me so I pulled up more information on seizures:

What is a seizure?
- abnormal movement or behavior due to unusual electrical activity in the brain

Different cases of seizures:

• non-epileptic seizures = are not accompanied by abnormal electrical activity in the brain and may be caused by psychological issues or stress


• provoked seizures = are single seizures that may occur as the result of trauma, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), low blood sodium, high fever or alcohol or drug abuse.


• generalized tonic clonic seizures = (grand mal seizure) a violent jerking of the entire body


• absence seizures = (petit mal seizure) partial or whole boy jerking of muscles but consists of blankly staring into space, rapid blinking or other repetitive movements of the face.

Seizures can happen at any age and with anyone.

Treatment:
Seizures varies widely for each individual. Because of this, there is no single drug that is a "cure-all", and is looked at on a case by case basis.

What to do during a seizure:

• the most important thing to remember is to prevent the child from harming himself / herself


• Place the child on their side to keep the throat clear and allow secretions (saliva or vomit) to drain. Do not try to stop the child's movements or convulsions. Do not put anything in the child's mouth and do not try to hold the tongue.


• Keep an eye on a clock or watch. Seizures that last for more than five minutes require immediate treatment.


• Move the child away from potential hazards such as: stove, furniture, stairs or traffic.


• Stay with the child until the seizure ends. Allow the child to sleep after the seizure if he/she is tired, then try to explain to the child that they are safe when they come to.


• There is no need to bring the child to the doctor or emergency room after every seizure.

When to call for help:

If the seizure lasts for more than five minutes, action should be taken to call 911 while maintaining a watchful eye on the victim.

If the child is seriously injured during the seizure.

If the child is having difficulty breathing and/or the skin is blue after the seizure.

If another seizure occurs immediately after in succession.