TUNNEY-SIDE-OF-THE-STREET

# 35 August 29 2005

Welcome to this week's message from the Tunney-Side-Of-The-Street. You are encouraged to share this with fellow workers, family and friends.

A tragedy. Thomas Herrion #72 a third team lineman of the San Francisco 49ers collapsed in the locker room after a game at Denver in the second preseason game. He died that evening after being rushed to St. Anthony's Central Hospital. Thomas was 23, 6'3" and weighed 310 pounds. He had played in the fourth quarter of that game the Niners lost 21-26.

How does that happen? How does a well-conditioned athlete (at 310 lbs he . was strong and presumably healthy) collapse and die? Of course, the lingering, (at this writing an autopsy has yet to be done) question is: Was he healthy? He was a strong athlete who never smoked or consumed alcohol or took supplements and "wouldn't even take an aspirin for a headache", said his brother.

My NFL experience has shown me that every player is under continuous medical scrutiny at every workout and every game. And the Denver game was no exception. I have refereed dozens of games in Denver (Mile High) and know the air is thinner which can cause shortness of breath. In every cardio-vascular examination, the cardiologist will ask the patient, "Do you have any shortness of breath"? While "shortness of breath" can be caused by heart disease, it also may be just a manifestation of the mile-high altitude .

Did Herrion have a congenital heart disorder? His father died of a stroke at 51 less than two years ago. We hope the autopsy on Thomas will help provide answers. In fact, it is my hope that the autopsy gives all of us answers - and may be even a "wakeup call" towards healthier living. My dad died 40 years ago of arteriosclerosis. He was a healthy 6'0" 186 pound former athlete with little knowledge of his "bad heart". He also was never a smoker or drinker. He was 59. That certainly caught my attention.

So for the last 40 years I have had, annually, a complete physical exam, which includes a treadmill stress test. I still workout every day that ends in a "y", keep my weight at optimum level and observe a normal food intake program. I love living every day and want to continue for as many days as I can. I believe my health is my responsibility. While medical advice is important, only you are ultimately responsible for your health.

Will you pay attention and take responsibility for your health?

Look for my new book
It's the Will, Not the Skill
Principles and philosophies of success

For more information about Jim Tunney, go to www.jimtunney.com

ARTICLE TAGLINE FOR JIM TUNNEY, Ed.D., CSP, CPAE

Copyright © 2003 Jim Tunney. All rights reserved.
You can visit Jim's website at http://www.jimtunney.com

Motivation Articles