Already, it’s become very clear that football questions this week will have very little to do with the upcoming game in Los Angeles against the Bruins. If the early headlines are any indication, this week will have everything to do with the decisions surrounding Dennis Dixon’s choice to play in last Thursday’s Arizona game.
So, here’s the question: what would you have done if you were in Coach Bellotti’s position? Would you have let Dixon play? Would you have held him out? Would you have deferred the decision to others?
What call would you have made?
JJ
Tags: Dennis Dixon, Ducks, Football, mike bellotti, University of Oregon
Duck Pride Says:
November 19th, 2007 at 8:46 am
I’d have done the exact same thing. With all the personal awards and the potential for a National Championship, I’d have definitely left that decision to 1) the Doc to clear him and 2) the player and his family.
What’s the old saying, “Tis better to try and fail, than to not try at all.” Dixon would have wondered for the rest of his life if he could have gone in and made a difference. Sucks the way it turned out, but at least he can say he gave it go.
How many times in a player’s life is he going to get an opportunity to win both a Heisman trophy and a National Championship? No opportunity of that magnitude will ever come again in Dixon’s life, no matter what he chooses to do.
Last thought: Someone should pose this question to both Todd Reesing and Chase Daniel. If they were to get injured the way Dixon did and their team were to still win in that head-to-head match up next week, would they try to come back for the Big 12 Championship game?
Matt Says:
November 19th, 2007 at 9:28 am
He left it up to Dixon, Dixon’s father, and the medical staff - that was the right call in this particular scenario. By all accounts this young man is a intelligent, rational individual. I expect he knows a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when he sees it.
National Title and Heisman possibilities - Can you imagine taking that away from a young man? For what? To save himself for a longshot career in either football or baseball?
Look, Bellotti’s non-decision is controversial to be sure. One that I am sure he knew the ramifications of long before Dixon went down. All this talk about Coach not caring for his player and risking Dixon’s career for selfish gain is uninformed journalism/opinion. To me, Coach put the game at risk to give his leader on the field the opportunity of his lifetime.
One thing we all know is that he will have the best medical support possible - UO/Bellotti will be sure of that.
By the way - it is far more risky to put someone back out on the field with a concussion or neck injury than a knee. Let’s see how much controversy is stirred up when Sam Bradford or Colt Brennan go back into a game next week.
Sarah Says:
November 19th, 2007 at 10:43 am
I would have done the same thing as Bellotti and Dixon. When Dixon first injured his knee the doctors made it clear that without surgery the knee wouldn’t heal completely. If you’re going to need eventually why not play on it until you need it for sure.
It’s not as if Bellotti forced Dixon into playing. All of the options were laid out for him and he and his family made the choice that was best for them. I think that Dixon would have always had a what if in the back of his mind if he hadn’t played.
For now Oregon fans need to get behind Leaf. Dixon is done, he’s not coming back. Booing our new OB1 isn’t going to help improve any. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen fans as fickle as we are. We booed Dixon last year and now he’s our golden boy; Leaf has talent but he needs the support of the team and the school in order to come into his own.
wheaton4prez Says:
November 19th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
I don’t see what the point of bringing Willingham into the issue is. Is the implication that he is a better person or coach because of him keeping Locker out? I don’t think that adds anything constructive to the story.
That said, I don’t think it was the right call. The people that ask for “110%” from their players become the people responsible for drawing the line. Dixon should be applauded for his courage. But, Belotti shouldn’t have been passive about it, imo. It was too much of a risk too Dixon’s permanent health.
DixonHeIsMan Says:
November 21st, 2007 at 6:40 pm
Why to people want to make Belotti responsible for Dixon’s “permanent health.” If the doctor says he is ok to play, and Dixon and his family say they understand the risks and are willing to give it a shot, then why is Belotti to blame?
I blame in this order: __________. Basically, no one is to blame. If the doctors ok him to play, then it is his choice and no one else’s.
andy Says:
November 22nd, 2007 at 1:49 am
exactly. did people not see him scamper for a 40 yard touchdown? that obviously was a knee that could be played on.