Brian Westbrook's fear

Eagles running back Brian Westbrook has been cleared by the Eagles medical staff to return to the field Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys, just thirteen days removed from suffering a concussion on Monday night, during week seven's game against the Redskins.

According to Brian Westbrook, "It scared me," which he told The Intellingencer's, Reuben Frank. "It's tough to go through, really." Said Westbrook.

During the Eagles massive win over the New York Giants, Brian sat out. The entire time as he watched from the sidelines he wanted nothing more to run to the locker room, strap on his gear and add to the onslaught. Which should tell you just how he feels about being cleared to play during Sunday night's game against the Cowboys.

Now, even though Brian's first instinct is to go into this game Sunday night peddle to the metal. But after that concussion he suffered by whacking the back of his head hard against the knee the Redskins linebacker London Fletcher, it's only natural that Brian question his long-term health. He says that he wants to find out more about the consequences of concussions that he has suffered by playing football.

"I didn't have a great understanding of concussions before," said Westbrook. "When you think about it, they don't have a lot of information on concussions when you get to be 50, 60, and 70 years old (and) how it impacts your life. Unfortunately, in this profession, a lot of guys have concussions. Some guys don't even know they have concussions until it's too late."

"I'm concerned about the long-term effects of it, but when you go out there and play football...you have to go out there and try to play with reckless abandon. Hopefully, I'll never put myself in that same position to get a concussion in that same way. But that's a part of the game."

Unfortunately, there's no way that B-West can play football in the National Football League and not put himself at risk of a concussion. Concussions and bad injuries are what comes with the millions in the NFL.

It's kind of refreshing to hear a top-tier, All-Pro player like Westy admit that he is scared and not act like he believes he's the man of steel. But, at the same time it could be very problematic, will he worry too much about getting another concussion that he will avoid diving for a few extra yards, or avoid charging the line as hard as he once did. We have seen concussions and injuries change the way top-tier players play the game.

"I just want to go out there and be able to contribute and play some football again," Westbrook said. "You tru to play without that type of worry in your head."

In my opinion I do not believe that Brian will lose his edge due to this concussion, but fear changes people. There's a famous quote; "Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold." Not too sure who wrote that quote, look it up if your curious. But I feel that quote is right for the way that Westbrook feels right now heading into Sunday night's game.