Ryan Clark, a football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was held out of a game in Denver because he's a carrier for sickle cell disease (anemia). This is a sex-linked trait that is common in certain regions of Africa and around the Mediterranean Sea.
Comments should focus on why the player was not allowed to play and whether you agree it was a good decision. Another topic you can comment on is why the sickle cell trait is more common in Africa and why many African-Americans also carry this trait.
I believe that taking the player out of the game was a good idea. He has had previous difficulties with the trait and playing football causing him to have his gallbladder and spleen removed. Taking the precautions and taking him out was only trying to keep him safe. Since the altitude is higher in Denver he is at an even greater risk of damaging his organs. They should make sure that he is always hydrated when he plays and make sure he conditions as much as he needs to.
ReplyDelete1 in 12 people of African decent have the sickle cell trait. In Africa, where malaria is common people evolved to form the sickle cell to fight off the malaria. If both parents have the sickle cell trait then their child has a 50% chance of getting the trait. The player knew he had the trait but he didn't think it would affect him to that extent.
-Cassidy Murphy
As an athlete myself, I have a sense of the frusteration that football player Ryan Clarke must be feeling, however, I feel that his syptoms and his SPECIFIC situation makes the decision for him to not participate in his Denver game definately the correct choice. While Clarke has sickle cell trait and not the actual disease, his trait is to such a strong degree that his 2 of his organs removed 4 years prior. Having sickle cell, your cells are mutated into "c" shapes and therefore block your blood flow causing your risk of a stroke and loss of vision according to the article. Being an athlete, vision is essential and more importantly than being an athelete, taking cautious steps for your health as just a person when red flags show up is extermely important. 3 of the 4 things that can stimulate the body to react to the trait are things that he would experience that day throughout the game: high altitude, dehydration, and also low oxygen. Because Clarke plays for the Steelers (from Pittsburg) the change in altitude, which in return would lower his oxygen level, would significantly increase in "mile-high city" Denver. The sport of football is often a vigorous sport and the padding and gear could (while the chance is slim) lead to dehydration. With all said, I believe the coaching staff made a excellent choice to save their star for upcoming games rather than risk his life for one.
ReplyDeleteI believe they made a very good and wise decision. with him having sickle cell disease and not sickle cell trait, he has two sickle cell genes, one from each parent. With sickle cell, the cells are mutated into "c" shapes as stated in the article. the mutates cells will then block the blood flow,possibly caausing stroke and loss of visiom.With him playing in Denver at such high altitude levels can really put an effect on his body. Sickle cells block the arteries,they also die quicker which is why he would have anemia. Being at such a high altitude in Denver can lower his oxygen level drastically.Clarke could very well experience dehydration and low oxygen due to the high altitude. TYhey made a very wise decision sitting him for one game instead of risking his life for that particular game.
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