Gandy's future in doubt after 4th concussion

[TitanTiger 22,006]

Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp said he wasn't sure what the future holds for Gandy, listed No. 2 at weakside linebacker.

"Right now, they are monitoring him," Muschamp said. "I don't know. It doesn't look good."

http://blog.al.com/trackingtigers/2007/08/...ndys_futur.html

[BamaGrad03 0]

Are some people more susceptible to concussions? Or is it one of those deals where once you get the first one, the next ones are much easier?

[SupperClub 0]

I hate it for him. He's had a rough time since he came to Auburn.

I also hate it for our LB corp. If there is one position besides QB where we don't need any injuries, it's LB.

[AU_tiger_2000 0]

Are some people more susceptible to concussions? Or is it one of those deals where once you get the first one, the next ones are much easier?

I think after you get one you become more susceptable. Whether you can be predisposed to one I don't know.

We all know that wasn't due to his extra 1/4" of fat around his brain.

[TitanTiger 22,006]

Are some people more susceptible to concussions? Or is it one of those deals where once you get the first one, the next ones are much easier?

I think after you get one you become more susceptable. Whether you can be predisposed to one I don't know.

This is my understanding also.

[TigerOne 1,477]

Thanks Steve, you made us proud.

AUBURN - Steve Gandy's Auburn football playing career is over.

Gandy, a fourth-year junior linebacker from Waynesboro, Miss., has decided to give up football because of recurring concussions, Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said Tuesday.

Gandy suffered a concussion in practice last Saturday. It was his fourth as an Auburn player.

"It was time," Tuberville said. "He did everything we asked of him the last six months. He gave it his best shot, but sometimes your body gives out. We want him to have a good, long life. Football is secondary when it comes to your health."

Gandy is on track to schedule in December or May with a degree in criminology. Tuberville said he will remain part of the program and will remain on scholarship.

"Hopefully, we've helped him as much as he's helped us," Tuberville said. "He's going to stay with the team. He's going to come out and work with Coach (James) Willis. He wants to be a coach. I think it'll be good for him to come out and see the other side."

Tuberville said the decision was an emotional one for Gandy, one of the prize recruits in Auburn's 2004 signing class.

"He didn't want to do it," Tuberville said. "The doctors sat down with him and kind of explained everything. When you go through what he's been through, it's tough. This could have been a good year for him, but he'd lost a little bit of edge. It was probably time to start evaluating the next 50-60 years."

Gandy started the last five games of the 2005 season at strong safety before moving to linebacker in the spring of 2006. He underwent surgery last summer after developing complications from a thigh bruise.

Gandy finishes his career with 46 tackles, 29 of them unassisted.

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2007/08/auburn...up_footbal.html

[An Auburn Fan 0]

Life is more important than sports...Steve gave his best effort as an Auburn Tiger... Wishing him all the best in his life....

War Eagle!!

[An Auburn Fan 0]

Link

Auburn's Gandy made the right decision:

During the week of June 25, Sporting News ran an article on the terrible effects that multiple concussions have wreaked on former NFL players. Within the piece, Larry Morris, a former linebacker for Chicago who returned a Y.A. Tittle pass 61 yards in the Bears-Giants 1963 NFL Championship game, was profiled. By the way, that play turned out to be a game-changer en route to a 14-10 Bears victory. As a result, Morris was named MVP.

Unfortunately, Morris remembers none of that now. Nor can he sign his name, complete everyday hygiene tasks, or even dress himself with consistency.

Reportedly, his neuropsychiatrist has linked his dementia to his playing career (shocker, huh?) and his family indicates that Morris sustained at least four concussions while competing in the NFL. College teammates indicate that even more concussions were sustained while the "Brahma Bull" was playing at Georgia Tech.

Speaking of college, maybe Auburn linebacker Steve Gandy read the aforementioned article. If he did, beyond Larry Morris he would've learned about Ted Johnson's troubles in later life because of multiple concussions; he would've learned of Frank Wycheck's, too.

Perhaps that's what convinced Gandy to hang up his cleats after a fourth concussion was sustained by him during this past Saturday's practice when he locked horns with fullback Danny Perry. Afterward, he spoke of the warnings doctors had given him.

"Most of the concerns are down the road, ten years down the road," he said. "I've put so much in (football) and done it for so long. It means so much. You go through summer and winters. I've been playing since I was five. It would be hard to go through a season without preparing or playing ball."

Of course, the decision was difficult for him. After all, this is a guy who came into college with some expectations (teams like Auburn, Ole Miss, Alabama and Arizona State had been on his short list). Still, it was nice to see a young man like him -- one with the promise of playing time this season and 46 career tackles to his credit -- make the right decision. His coach agreed.

It was time," Tommy Tuberville said. "He did everything we asked of him the last six months. He gave it his best shot, but sometimes your body gives out. We want him to have a good, long life. Football is secondary when it comes to your health."

It turns out that Gandy plans on working with assistant coach James Willis this season in order learn about coaching.

Good luck to you, Steve Gandy. You made the right decision.

[GoAU 1,708]

Good luck Steve, you made the right call.

WDE!!!

[autigeremt 7,460]

I hated to see that. Steve has been great for the program. My cousin had to stop playing for the same thing. He got his first one (concussion) his senior year in high school. He would go on to sign with Furman University as a FB/RB. After a redshirt season, he quickly made it up the depth chart. His speed (4.3-40) and strength (6th on the team) vaulted him into the starting lineup as a FB. Then in practice just over midway through the season he suffered another concussion. This one was a little more than a "ringer', and it put him out of the game the following Saturday. Once again he fought back into the starting role, scoring twice v/s Georgia Southern and again the next weekend v/s Westen Carolina. He would finish the season with a lot of personal momentum. Then the following year came and he was once again on the bench with another concussion in practice. They gave him one more shot later in the season. He once again looked to be on track v/s P.C., scoring a TD in the second quarter just before the half to give the Paladins the lead.

The opening kickoff of the third quarter marked his last snap as a college football player. Fielding a punt on the 15 yard line, Corey headed up field only to be met with a solid blow to the head by one of the P.C. defenders.............ending his career.

I hate it, but it's the nature of the beast. Coreys doctor told him that some people have a minor amount of spacing between the brain and the cranium that others do not. When jarred, it causes temporary swelling....and thus, a concussion. Hate it for the Tigers and Steve Gandy.