NFL player dies after collapsing at a charity basketball game

[RB TexLa]

http://cbs4denver.com/local/local_story_055221251.html


Broncos's RB Damien Nash Collapses, Dies

(CBS4) ST. LOUIS CBS4's Gary Miller is reporting that Broncos' running back Damien Nash has died after collapsing at a charity basketball game in St. Louis.

Nash was a second-year running back who joined the Broncos as a free agent on Aug. 3, 2006. He played in three games with the Titans as a rookie.

According to the web site STLtoday.com, the celebrity basketball game featured nine NFL players and took place at Riverview Gardens High School in St. Louis.

The proceeds of the event were to benefit the Darris Nash Find A Heart Foundation, which raises money for heart transplant research. Darris Nash, 25, is the older brother of Damien Nash, who was a standout running back at Riverview and East St. Louis.

[babylonsister]

1. Oh, my, how sad. So young! nt

[Maestro]

2. That is horrible

Didn't they just lose a cornerback in a drive-by shooting on New Year's?

[RB TexLa]

3. I don't remember the position but it was someone from Fort Worth

I remember the team coming down here for the funeral.

[fishwax]

12. Yep: Darrent Williams n/t

[TomInTib]

4. Enlarged heart, I'll bet.

One of the NFL's dirty little secrets is the stunted life expectancy of running backs.

I believe the average is in the early 40's.

All of those massive hits enlarge their hearts.

Earl Campbell's heart is so weak he cannot even walk. And there is nothing wrong with his legs.

[Poiuyt]

5. That, and performance enhancing drugs

They didn't always die in their 40's.

BTW, Lamar Lundy died today too. He was part of the Rams Fearsome Foursome from the 60s. He was 71.

[Dude_CalmDown]

7. Are you sure it's the hits?

I played tailback (not even close to the NFL) and it wasn't the hits that ever worried me. It was all the shit you needed to do to even dream of stepping on the field. Between the shit you took to make you faster and stronger and the shit you took to play with a sprained ankle - it's kind of a shock this doesn't happen all the time at all levels.

[TomInTib]

9. By the time they get thru NCAA and NFL, they have been hit by trucks

Whacked at the line by three guys who may average 275lbs.

All of that blood has to go somewhere.

Hydraulics is pretty simple.

Line of least resistance.

In the case of running backs, the path of least resistance is the heart.

Enlarged heart.

Reverse-coronary occlusion.


But I get your point, completely.

I always want to scream, "If you ain't played, I don't wanta hear it!".


I just hate it that this fine sport has begun to cost the best players of same to pay an all-too-early price.

[babylonsister]

8. This kid was a second year RB and only played in a few games his first year;

his brother had a heart transplant. Perhaps it's genetic?

[Jcrowley]

6. X-Treme Sport

Corporate competive industrial sport takes and never gives.

I grew up in that area, right near Riverview Gardens HS.

RIP Mr. Nash.

Way too young.

[1932]

10. Looks like the Nash brothers shared the same heart problem.

[fishwax]

11. It's been a tough year for the Broncos

The second young player they've lost this year.

Best thoughts to the young man's family and friends ...