Stewart Bradley tried to get up. He made it to his feet, took about six steps, wobbled, then crumbled to the turf. The reaction from the sold-out crowd at Lincoln Financial Field was one of collective shock. The broadcasters announcing the game were shaken by what they saw. Did Bradley really get his bell rung that badly? How could such a freakish athlete just collapse like that? The situation looked serious, which is what made it all the more stunning to see Bradley back on the field a mere three plays later…
In the first installment of a two-part look at how concussions have affected Philadelphia Eagles players past and present, The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane catches up with Bradley and his former teammates to revisit one of the scariest moments in recent Eagles’ history. Jeff pulls back the curtain on how Bradley was allowed to return to play, and talks to Bradley about the impact head trauma has had on his life since his playing career ended.
In part two, "Peace of mind," Jeff catches up with Eagles' players past and present to gauge how they feel about the head trauma they've been subjected to by playing football.
unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes in Season 3 dropping throughout the spring.