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Columbus’ Nathan Horton Has A Heartbreaking Decision To Make

By Catherine Silverman

Mar 10, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Nathan Horton (8) skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Nathan Horton (8) skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nathan Horton’s life is being hindered by his back condition, but a cure could mean the end of his career.

Nathan Horton never thought he’d have to pick between his personal comfort and his career, but things have changed.

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The 29-year-old forward was the talk of Columbus when he signed with the Blue Jackets as a free agent in the summer of 2013. His seven-year, $37 million dollar contract gave Blue Jackets fans hopes that the team might be headed for its first Stanley Cup.

As a member of the 2011 Boston Bruins cup-winning roster, many hoped he would be the magic ticket.

Since signing with the franchise, though, Horton has only played in 36 games.

He has been diagnosed with a degenerative back condition and — while he and the team were hoping that physical therapy would alleviate his pain enough to return to the ice — things aren’t looking good.

Horton went on the record Wednesday, talking about how he’s faced with the tough decision to get spinal fusion surgery or tough it out and hope things get better.

The surgery would most definitely end his playing career; while he’s having trouble coming to terms with his hockey career being over at 29, there’s no question that he’s having trouble in his day-to-day life as a result of the condition.

From the Columbus Dispatch:

"“I can’t stand up like a normal person; I can’t bend over,” Horton said in his first public comments about his condition. “I can’t run. I can’t play with my kids. To get in and out of the car, I’m like a 75-year-old man … so slow and stiff. I can’t sleep at night. I try to lay down and my back seizes up and I can’t move, so sleeping is out. I’m like a zombie in the daytime.”"

Horton has described the condition as making his life ‘a living hell’, but he hasn’t made the decision to go ahead with the surgery yet.

Many wonder what the holdup is, but not many can truly understand the dilemma Nathan Horton is experiencing. Horton wants to have a life where he can play with his children and function normally, but it’s hard to give up a career that you love.

Athletes are often thrust into the spotlight for the decisions they make regarding their health, and they seem to be criticized in both directions. When Derrick Rose discussed his concerns about injury complications later in his life, people mocked him. .. and NHL analyst Mike Milbury has been the source of controversy all season long as he makes a stand against fighting in hockey. Yet, just as many are calling out Horton for the way he’s dragging his feet regarding this career-ending surgery.

No matter the decision he ultimately makes, though, I feel confident that the hockey community is in agreement on at least one thing — we all hope he finds some relief soon.

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