Josh Cribbs family wants him to retire

[farmer]

Josh Cribbs was belted last Thursday by one of the biggest hits of the 2012-2013 season. The special teams weapon was leveled as he went up field on a punt return against the Baltimore Ravens.

The result was such a scary sight that Cribbs’ family does not want him to lace up his cleats ever again.

“Everyone was calling and couldn’t stop crying,” Cribbs who has two kids, told the Cleveland Plain Dealer, “My brother, who’s the reason why I’m playing football, even he wants me to stop.”

“They’re saying, ‘I know you love the game but we don’t want you to play anymore,’” he said. “They’re like, ‘Family’s more important. You’ve got so many years of your life. You’ve showed enough good football.’”

As he prepares to play against the New York Giants on Sunday, his wife Maria wants him to take additional steps to ensure he is sincerely OK.

“She wants me to be seen by another specialist,” he said. “She wants me to get a CAT scan, especially with what happened to [former Browns running back Jerome Harrison, who had a brain tumor removed]. I still go over to his house every now and then and talk to him. He’s doing pretty bad. He’s in and out of the hospital with seizures. They just don’t want the same thing to happen to me.”

Cribbs compared this situation to that of the epic hit that he suffered at the hands of a certain member of the Pittsburgh Steelers who gets fined a lot.

“I didn’t feel it,” he said. “The James Harrison hit [in 2010]? He hit me hard and I felt that one. This one, I was out cold. But I’m blessed with a kill switch. The doctor said my brain focused on the immediate trauma and shut down everything else. Some guys have brain swelling and don’t recover as fast. I’ve got someone looking out for me.”

As Cribbs came to he was greeted by the familiar yet legendary face of the NFL Network’s Michael Irvin, who was a part of the game’s broadcast team.

“I really thought I was delirious then,” said Cribbs. “I was like, ‘What? Michael Irvin? What are you doing on the field?’”

For the remainder of the game, Cribbs lobbied hard for his return.

“They had to take my helmet and had to keep tabs on me in the locker room so I wouldn’t run back out there,” he said.

So will he be gun-shy when he steps back onto the field?

“I feel great,” said Cribbs, who was limited in practice. “I’ve had no symptoms and I’m ready to play [Sunday] against the Giants. I’m not scared of taking another hit.”

Cribbs has quite frankly been rocked on more than a few occasions. It will be interesting to see what happens after this his contract year is over with.

His wife may get her wish after all.

[Orange and Brown]

Classy guy. He is one heck of a football player...

I would hate for something bad to happen to him.

[dazed&confused]

Wish all the best to Josh. At the same time, the NFL legislated out most of his talents when they moved the kickoff line. No one returns kickoffs back for TDs anymore. He is a good punt returner but let's face it, he is getting a little long inthe tooth. He'll never be a feature receiver. So in pure value terms, is he worth his contract? Probably not. I'd say Benjamin is a better punt returner at the present time due to his speed. It's been great but I think it's time for both to move on.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

being a bengals fan, i'm blessed to see him twice a year. as well as following him in college. but i don't like seeing anybody hurt, especially a brain trauma. but it's a hard game, and a big reason they make millions, i wish him continued luck for a complete recovery.

[farmer]

Josh Cribbs should get a job with the Browns sfter he retires. You never know when the next hit might be your last. Just like when Barry Sanders retired. He said he did not have any injures that hurt him daily. So he wanted to be able to enjoy life after football. Where Cribbs talks about his team mate still not doing well. That should help him make his decision. As long as he did not waste his money as some other players who are out of football and have no money. Like Vince Young and TO.