ESPN coverage of Ryan Clark situation

While the intimate details about this discussion are seemingly unknown, how is this even an option. Ryan Clark suffers from sickle cell which for 1 percent of patients, which he falls into, that makes exercise at high altitudes a life threatening disease. Last time he played in Denver in 2007 he lost 30 pounds, lost his spleen, and his gall bladder. Again how is playing even an option.

The problem with this is how ESPN ran this story. The article headline "Steelers' Clark weighs life-threatening call" suggests that there is an actual debate going on about his availability for Monday night. The entire article then goes on to say,

"Because of that, the Steelers -- as would any NFL team -- must weigh the potential legal matters that might arise should a player become seriously ill after being permitted to play under such risky circumstances."

This tone gives off a cold feel that makes the decision feel very business like. And even from a straight X's and O's standpoint with no emotion toward the player the move of playing him would make no sense because he missed half a season when he played there before.

Following all this build-up is the statement that probably the Steelers will not play him. I mean obviously there is a story here but to build up the situation as something that is being "weighed" by the organization and then presenting no actual evidence to support this besides the fact they have not made a public decision about his status seems off base. Let the team decide before you make the situation out to be possibly play because it is worth the risk Clark might die; when it is actually unfathomable that they allow him to participate