Chargers Pro Bowl Athlete, Left Guard, Kris Dielman
Do professional sports have the right rules and take the right precautions to prevent head injuries?
Chargers Pro Bowl left guard Kris Dielman suffered a grand mal seizure on the flight home last Sunday after sustaining a concussion in a loss to the Jets, a person with knowledge of the situation said yesterday.
The person, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team doesn’t release specific injury details, said an ambulance met the team plane and Dielman was hospitalized overnight. The person said the seizure occurred during the plane’s descent into San Diego.
The 320-pound Dielman was staggered by the injury early in the fourth quarter but continued to play. The Chargers were out of offensive linemen because of other injuries.
Dielman, a four-time Pro Bowler known for his hard-nosed demeanor, declined to comment on the seizure. He did say he won’t play in Monday night’s game at Kansas City, “pretty much off of what I feel.’’ He said he has lingering headaches.
“It’s just one of those plays. I banged my head a little bit, and now I’ve got to deal with it,’’ Dielman said.
Dielman missed one game last year because a concussion. Coach Norv Turner said Dielman has yet to take the test he needs to pass before returning to practice. Dielman is scheduled to see a specialist today.
“You’ve got to tread lightly. We’ll take the proper precautions and see what happens,’’ Dielman said.
