Because of my commitment to the game, I relented to pressure directly from my coach to play injured. Despite the pain, I suited up, the staff injected me with what I now know was a powerful and sometimes dangerous painkiller that the NFLPA has warned against using, and I gave it my all for the team. I played until it was clear that I could not sue my ankle to safely perform my playing responsibilities. On top of that, the pain was extreme, i took a seat on the sideline and my coach came up to me, very upset, and shouted, ‘ What’s wrong with you ? What’s wrong with you ? ’ I told him, ‘ It’s my ankle. ’ But he knew that. It was well-documented and we had discussed it. He then ordered me to get on the field. I said, ‘ Coach I ca n’t. ’ He did n’t call for medical attention. Instead, he shouted at me, ‘ YOU ’RE DONE ! ’ while he ran his finger across his throat. Coach was telling me that if I did n’t play hurt, then I was done with the Bucs.
