OUR VIEW: Aggie athletes deserve ‘thank you’ for risks

Risk is an unavoidable part of life. We take risks every time we get in a car or walk across the street. We’ve been told this a thousand times before, yet we still forget that there are even risks involved in getting hit by a 300 pound person.

Over the weekend two Aggie athletes – Ryan Bohm, a freshman running back on the football team, and Cory Wardell, a defenseman on the hockey team, both took hard hits that took them out of their respective games.

On Saturday, Bohm was able to walk off the field but he didn’t return to the game. Wardell, was slammed against the board and suffered a neck injury and blacked out. He had to be taken to the hospital.

Both players have been involved in their sports for many years, both knew the rules the game and were in great shape, and yet injuries still happened.

If our athletes are willing to risk so much for their school, shouldn’t we be able to risk a little rain or wind to go and cheer them on?

This is true of all sports, not just those we normally associate with being dangerous. A baseball to a head or a knee injury from being kicked can be equally devastating.

Such risks are unavoidable and people are already doing all that they can. Just be sure to remember that our players out there are putting a lot on the line for your entertainment. Be sure to tell them thank you.

We want to be the first – to tell all you athletes out there, thank you. We realize what you do and what could happen.

And to all Aggies involved in intermurals or play sports on your own, be careful. It’s fun and it’s great exercise, but remember it’s only a game. No intramural championship trophy or T-shirt is worth serious injury.