Bruce Smith admits to forgetting things, being in constant pain in retirement
By Jason Parker
Legendary former NFL defensive end Bruce Smith is opening up about the pain and head issues he is dealing with after a long career.
For 19 seasons, Bruce Smith was one of the most dominating forces in the entire NFL regardless of position. The 11-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler finished his career with 200 sacks (still the league record) for both the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins, leading to his rightful place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Now, at the age of 53, Smith is opening up about something much scarier than anything he did to an opposing quarterback. In an interview with the Buffalo News, Bruce Smith opens up about constantly being in pain and even forgetting things following his near two decades of bone crunching hits and head-to-head shots:
"“There’s not a day that goes by that I’m not in pain,” Smith said. “Multiple joints and things that I experience on a daily basis. It can be very frustrating sometimes and painful, but I’m very blessed.”“I forget a lot of things sometimes. I’m not one to sit here and complain. While I did not know the severity of what continuous head traumas could do to an individual and the mind and so forth, I’m not going to sit here and complain."
Smith is not the first player to say he is dealing with medical issues post football (and he won’t be anywhere close to being the last), but for fans of the sport during the 1980’s and 1990’s will admit, the issue of concussions and player safety is becoming something that can’t be hid by the league or their paid doctors.
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