Former NFL RB Heyward facing more surgery

JonInMiddleGA · 03-12-2006, 10:42 PM

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metr...xironhead.html

Former NFL running back Craig Heyward said he's given considerable thought to the risky surgery awaiting him today at the Emory University Hospital.

"I've thought about it a lot," the former Falcons Pro Bowler said from his hospital room this weekend. "I've thought about what it could do to my tongue, to my shoulder and to my hearing."

Nicknamed "Ironhead" during an 11-year professional playing career, Heyward, 39, will undergo a risky procedure requiring two surgeons in the hopes of removing as much as possible of a recurring brain tumor called a chordoma.

A neurosurgeon and an ear, nose and throat specialist will combine to drill behind Heyward's right ear and from the top of his brain to remove as much of the noncancerous mass as possible to alleviate pressure on his brain.

It was a recent MRI that confirmed Heyward's third bout with the tumor.

A previous episode last year had left him partially paralyzed on his left side and in need of a wheelchair after a stroke.

Heyward from then on was physically unable to open his right eye after the chordoma had wrapped around his optic nerve.

The setback is the latest for Heyward, who was first diagnosed with the chordoma while still playing for the Indianapolis Colts in 1998. He underwent two surgeries then, but the tumor had already intertwined with some of his vital brain structures and could not be removed fully.

Heyward was understandably frustrated after receiving word Friday of the need for the latest operation.

"I've already lost my [right] eye, ..." he said. "That's enough for one person.

"I'm just tired of it."

He spent the weekend resting comfortably at the hospital, where family and friends came to lend their support.

Former Falcons coach June Jones, now coaching at Hawaii, was among those who called to offer best wishes.

JonInMiddleGA · 03-12-2006, 10:42 PM

Note: I'm pretty sure that "today" refers to Monday

Passacaglia · 03-12-2006, 10:46 PM

Whenever I see Ironhead post here, I always reply, "but Ironhead...what's with this thingy?" It's like my own personal Heybrad. But Ironhead never says anything back. That commercial was awesome.

FBPro · 03-12-2006, 10:53 PM

Wishing him well, sorry to hear of this.

Swaggs · 03-12-2006, 11:23 PM

Sorry to hear this.

Interestingly enough, Heyward's son, Cameron, is a legitimate DT recruiting prospect for the class of '07. Some of you Georgia guys might know a little more about him, than me, but here is his link at Scout.com: Cameron Heyward

Kobeck · 03-13-2006, 07:15 AM

I loved the guy as a player and hope for the best for him.

A-Husker-4-Life · 03-13-2006, 08:22 AM

What a sweet player, I hope for the best... Get better Ironhead..

Honolulu_Blue · 03-13-2006, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Passacaglia

Whenever I see Ironhead post here, I always reply, "but Ironhead...what's with this thingy?" It's like my own personal Heybrad. But Ironhead never says anything back. That commercial was awesome.

Me too. Always. Whenever I see one of those "thingies" I think of that commercial. It was awesome.

I have a similar response to Diplomatic license plates. When I lived in DC, they were all around and whenever I saw one I always thought to myself (or whispered aloud) "Diplomatic immunity" in the voice of that South African bad guy from Lethal Weapon 2. I'd say about 50% of the time I'd respond to myself with a good old, Danny Glover "It's just been revoked."

I hope Ironhead pulls through ok here.

JPhillips · 03-13-2006, 08:47 AM

No man tossed aside more of my Tecmo Bowl tacklers than Ironhead.

My Dad had a calcium tumor in his head that got removed sucessfully. Its really scary when the surgeons make sure to tell you he could die on the table.

JeeberD · 03-13-2006, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

[
A neurosurgeon and an ear, nose and throat specialist will combine to drill behind Heyward's right ear and from the top of his brain to remove as much of the noncancerous mass as possible to alleviate pressure on his brain.

[Bad, horrible joke]

Better be a sharp drill if they expect to get through his iron head...

[/Bad, horrible joke]

Rizon · 03-13-2006, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPhillips

No man tossed aside more of my Tecmo Bowl tacklers than Ironhead.

What about the Nigerian Nightmare???

Honolulu_Blue · 03-13-2006, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rizon

What about the Nigerian Nightmare???

Now there was a Super Tecmo Bowl player who was something special...

Pumpy Tudors · 03-13-2006, 05:40 PM

Ironhead needs more surgery? I didn't even know that he'd had any surgery. I lived in New Orleans, where he spent about half his NFL career, and now I live near Pittsburgh, where he went to college, and yet I never heard anything about this.

03-12-2006, 10:42 PM	#2
JonInMiddleGA Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA	Note: I'm pretty sure that "today" refers to Monday __________________ "I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis

03-12-2006, 10:46 PM	#3
Passacaglia Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Big Ten Country	Whenever I see Ironhead post here, I always reply, "but Ironhead...what's with this thingy?" It's like my own personal Heybrad. But Ironhead never says anything back. That commercial was awesome. __________________ Pride and Prejudice -- an FOF9 Lions dynasty, starting 1966

03-12-2006, 10:53 PM	#4
FBPro College Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SE	Wishing him well, sorry to hear of this. __________________ GM RayCo Raiders-est. 2004-2012 Charter member of the IHOF-RayCo GM GM Tennessee Titans PFL 2011-2014 GM Tennessee Titans FOWL 2020-2025

03-12-2006, 11:23 PM	#5
Swaggs Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	Sorry to hear this. Interestingly enough, Heyward's son, Cameron, is a legitimate DT recruiting prospect for the class of '07. Some of you Georgia guys might know a little more about him, than me, but here is his link at Scout.com: Cameron Heyward __________________ DOWN WITH HATTRICK!!! The RWBL Are you reading In The Bleachers?

03-13-2006, 08:22 AM	#7
A-Husker-4-Life College Prospect Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nebraska	What a sweet player, I hope for the best... Get better Ironhead.. __________________ JJ Smitty Owner of the TheC.F.L. - Come by and check us out.

03-13-2006, 07:15 AM	#6
Kobeck n00b Join Date: May 2005	I loved the guy as a player and hope for the best for him.

03-13-2006, 08:47 AM	#9
JPhillips Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Newburgh, NY	No man tossed aside more of my Tecmo Bowl tacklers than Ironhead. My Dad had a calcium tumor in his head that got removed sucessfully. Its really scary when the surgeons make sure to tell you he could die on the table. __________________ To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.. - Mr. Rogers

03-13-2006, 05:40 PM	#13
Pumpy Tudors Bounty Hunter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Pittsburgh, PA	Ironhead needs more surgery? I didn't even know that he'd had any surgery. I lived in New Orleans, where he spent about half his NFL career, and now I live near Pittsburgh, where he went to college, and yet I never heard anything about this. __________________ No, I am not Batman, and I will not repair your food processor.

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