Oakland Raiders defensive end Tony Bryant seemed to be on his way to NFL stardom when he ran into San Francisco 49ers fullback Fred Beasley helmet to helmet.
It happened Nov. 3, 2002, on a fourth-down play in overtime. When Beasley barged into the line, he and Bryant collided head-first. Bryant went down and stayed down.
"He was telling us, 'Get the doctors; get the trainers,'" linebacker Eric Barton told reporters after the game. "He knew right away something was wrong."
Bryant, who signed with the Rams on Tuesday, suffered a neck and spine injury that initially left him with numbness in his extremities. Although no bones were broken and he regained feeling quickly, Bryant's season was over — and, the team later concluded, probably his career, too.
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Bryant steps into Hargrove's shoes
Bryant steps into Hargrove's shoes
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