When to amputate?
Trevor Wikre broke his pinkie during football practice. The doctors planned to set the bone, but they warned him that the injury might end his football career, and the healing process would certainly prevent him from finishing his senior year as a Mesa State College offensive lineman. So Wikre opted for a more radical procedure. He told the doctors to amputate his finger.
Is Wikre a hero or an idiot? His teammates are treating him like a hero ("No doctor is going to tell him what he can do or can’t do. I have nothing but respect for him." and "It’s awesome. That’s a pretty amazing commitment and sacrifice to go the rest of his life without a pinkie.") Personally, I'd classify him more in the idiot category. Poetic justice would be if the coaches benched him for the rest of the year.
Is Wikre a hero or an idiot? His teammates are treating him like a hero ("No doctor is going to tell him what he can do or can’t do. I have nothing but respect for him." and "It’s awesome. That’s a pretty amazing commitment and sacrifice to go the rest of his life without a pinkie.") Personally, I'd classify him more in the idiot category. Poetic justice would be if the coaches benched him for the rest of the year.
Comments
I could see it if sitting out the rest of the season would kill his chances of going pro. The fact that he plays for a no-name school and probably will not be going pro just means he's stupid. Although usually, linemen are not Mensa candidates anyways...
Posted by Ryan in Philly on 10/06/08 at 11:55 AM
He should have his head amputated since that seems to get in the way of his decision making abilities.
Posted by Madd Maxx on 10/06/08 at 12:46 PM
I'm "pro choice".
His pinkie, his choice! He's a, soon to be, college graduate and if he can't make life decisions at this stage of the game then when?
His pinkie, his choice! He's a, soon to be, college graduate and if he can't make life decisions at this stage of the game then when?
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 10/06/08 at 12:53 PM
Not saying he shouldn't be allowed to make that decision - just saying it's a stupid one.
Heidi makes an interesting point - isn't there some kind of healing time out required for an amputation? How does it compare with the length of time for healing the break?
Heidi makes an interesting point - isn't there some kind of healing time out required for an amputation? How does it compare with the length of time for healing the break?
Posted by Jules in Connecticut on 10/06/08 at 12:59 PM
Wikre was more upset because his evening plans with his fiance were ruined.
“I was pissed,” Wikre said. “Trace was going to make chicken and potato salad and we were going to watch Iron Man. I missed out on all of that.”
- I take it back. He is capable of decision making. It was either a night with his honey or the rest of his college football career.
“I was pissed,” Wikre said. “Trace was going to make chicken and potato salad and we were going to watch Iron Man. I missed out on all of that.”
- I take it back. He is capable of decision making. It was either a night with his honey or the rest of his college football career.
Posted by Madd Maxx on 10/06/08 at 01:03 PM
Still, legendary pro player VS. no name and will probably always remain that way college player
Posted by Jules in Connecticut on 10/06/08 at 01:29 PM
Did they what hand this was done to? He may never be able to make another "pinky bet".
Posted by Madd Maxx on 10/06/08 at 01:56 PM
It's his life. If he wants to be an idiot, it's on him.
Posted by KW in Dallas, TX on 10/06/08 at 05:21 PM
@Murph -- you have no idea how good it makes me feel to read that! My daughter was an offensive lineman on the girl's "touch" football team in college. 3 people (included the coach) had broken pinkies one year and 2 the next (including her). She graduated with honors as a civil engineer. Now, I know that this isn't exactly the same, but not all football players (of either sex) are idiots and, while I wouldn't have amputated a body part "just to keep playing", lots of stuff has been done in the name of sports and this seems pretty minor.
Posted by larriann on 10/08/08 at 07:58 PM
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Category: Medicine | Sports