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Maddox wants to return this season; decision is his
Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox is placed into an ambulance
Chaz Palla/Tribune-Review
Pittsburgh Steelers Tommy Maddox throws a pass
AP Photo
Jerry DiPaola is the Tribune-Review high school sports editor. He can be reached via e-mail.
Maddox's agent, Vann McElroy, has been in close contact with Maddox since the injury occured on the last play of the third quarter Sunday in a game in Nashville, Tenn., against the Tennessee Titans. McElroy was with Maddox at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, where he was treated initially, and he has spoken with him several times during the past two days.
Asked if Maddox will return this season, McElroy sounded surprised by the question and answered, "I would think so."
Steelers neurological surgeon Dr. Joseph Maroon said he has not spoken specifically with Maddox about his return this season, but he said, "Hypothetically, I think that is not an unreasonable consideration."
"He still needs additional time to see how he's going to do over the next several days or weeks. We'll re-evaluate that over the next several days.
"Right now, he's perfectly normal. I think he's made a complete recovery and I don't anticipate any additional worsening of his condition of any kind."
Steelers coach Bill Cowher said he is not ready to consider the possibility of Maddox's return.
"At this point, we have to look at Tommy's health," Cowher said. "I'm not going down that road."
Speaking at a news conference yesterday, Maroon pronounced Maddox recovered from the brain and spinal concussions that he suffered Sunday. Maroon has conducted a series of tests and X-rays on Maddox's brain and spinal column in the past two days, and Maroon said yesterday, "I wish my MRI looked this good."
Maddox was discharged from UPMC Presbyterian Hospital yesterday.
Maroon was most impressed by how high Maddox scored on a sophisticated test called Immediate Post Athletic Concussion Testing (IMPACT) that was adminstered just before he went home. The test was recently pioneered by the Steelers and now is used by the NFL, NHL, the Big Ten, Pacific-10, more than 100 colleges and more than 250 high schools in the United States.
Maroon said IMPACT is a neuro-cognitive test that is used to determine when an athlete can return to playing contact sports. He said it measures reaction time, processing speed of the brain and memory orientation.
"I'm very pleased to say it was perfectly normal," Maroon said. "I should also say that when doing these baseline studies that Tommy scored among the highest of more than 5,000 athletes we tested in terms of his reaction time and processing information.
"Maybe this came from Arena Football, too, but it's probably a genetic thing that he's honed in his own way to perfection.
"But the important thing is it was absolutely normal, which means that his brain function has returned to a normal state within 48 hours of a significant blow to the head."
Maroon also said there are no structural abnormalities to Maddox's spinal cord.
"The spinal cord is pristine in terms of its depiction on the MRI," he said.
Most heartening, Maroon said there also is no genetic narrowing of the spinal column that forced Steelers defensive coordinator Tim Lewis to retire as a cornerback with the Green Bay Packers in 1986 and former Steelers offensive lineman Brian Blankenship to retire in 1991.
Maroon called Maddox's injury a "psychological and physical insult" and returning to the field after such an event must be a personal decision.
"I spoke with (Steelers president) Dan Rooney and coach Cowher and I can tell you that the Pittsburgh Steelers organization has said that this is up to Tommy Maddox. There is no pressure. There is no urgency. This is a decision that will be made by him, if and when he feels it's an appropriate thing to do.
"If you're laying on a football field unable to feel your arms or legs and unable to move, I can't imagine a more frightening experience. I've seen this in quite a few athletes and they haven't returnd to function. There is a major psychological factor and he needs to consider this, as well, but that's his decision."
