Mathis hopes to play despite broken neck
Saturday, January 20, 2007
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Though a broken neck ended his season and jeopardizes his NFL career, Falcons safety Kevin Mathis said he wants to play in 2007.
"Believe me, if they say I can play, I'll be out there," Mathis said in a phone interview Friday.
Mathis said he will be examined by doctors in a month and will know then whether he will resume a career that has spanned 10 seasons. Mathis broke his neck making a tackle on the opening kickoff of a 30-14 loss to the Detroit Lions Nov. 5. He did not require surgery.
It was the second significant spinal injury in his career.
"You always want to be on the football field, but if it's not safe for me to play, well...," said Mathis, who has 11 career interceptions, three returned for touchdowns.
Mathis's return last season as a nickel back and reserve safety was viewed as somewhat of a medical miracle after he missed all of the 2005 season when he shredded three ligaments in his knee.
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