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I hate the “Fragile Fred” nickname that Fred Taylor picked up in his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars. It started right after the Jaguars’ run in the late 90’s. Between 1999-2001, Taylor missed 23 of 48 games.
In 1999, he missed six games due to a hamstring injury, but who cares? The team was cruising to a 14-2 season and didn’t need him until the playoffs. And then in the playoffs, he had a 90-yard run for a touchdown, the longest in NFL playoff history up to that point, and 100-yard performances in both games.
In 2000, he missed a handful of games throughout the year but still finished sixth in the NFL in rushing with 1,399 yards.
In 2001, he suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3 when his groin muscle tore off his bone.
And now, after nearly a decade of being out of the NFL, Taylor learned he was playing through untreated injuries throughout his career, accusing the “neutral” doctors the NFL referred to him as overlooking the issues he’s been dealing with for far too long.
Visited Chicago last week for full Ortho exam. Took 11 MRIs and 12 X-rays. Got results yesterday. Somehow I played career with fractured->
— Fred Taylor (@FredTaylorMade) August 31, 2016
clavicle, 2 partially torn labrum, one in each shoulder. I'm Appalled! I was never told this as a player. Oversight? Or BS!
— Fred Taylor (@FredTaylorMade) August 31, 2016
I've always gotten a sensation n my shoulders but I though it was fatigue. All these years have passd and now I discover my shoulders jackd
— Fred Taylor (@FredTaylorMade) August 31, 2016
Even through all the injuries and the lingering injuries, somehow The league still manage to deny my "Line of Duty" benefit 3 times.
— Fred Taylor (@FredTaylorMade) August 31, 2016
Seems the "neutral doctors" we are referred to by the league overlooked the injuries and issues I currently deal with. Nice job guys
— Fred Taylor (@FredTaylorMade) August 31, 2016
Like I said... hate that nickname.