John Ryan on American Ninja Warrior

[HawkDawg]

http://www.seahawks.com/news/2015/05/22/friday-round-jon-ryan-compete-american-ninja-warrior

Tonight at 8:00 on NBC. This will be interesting. Here's my question, isn't he putting himself at risk for an injury? I'm kind of surprised that his contract allows him to be a part of this. Wilson hitting a few baseballs around is one thing, sounds like Ryan has been training for this thing for 6 months.

Anyway, I wish him the best...just please don't get hurt!

[burrrton]

I don't watch the show, but I've seen segments- I doubt there is any component of the training forbidden in any contract, and in fact I bet they'd encourage it.

[NorthHawk]

I was under the impression that most contracts restrict activities that players can do that would put their health in danger.
As I don't know much about this show, it might be benign in it's risk.

[burrrton]

I was under the impression that most contracts restrict activities that players can do that would put their health in danger.
As I don't know much about this show, it might be benign in it's risk.

It's just an extremely difficult test of agility, strength, and endurance. It's not dangerous in the least, or at least no more so than virtually any other form of training this side of a light jog on even pavement.

[c_hawkbob]

It's just an extremely difficult test of agility, strength, and endurance. It's not dangerous in the least, or at least no more so than virtually any other form of training this side of a light jog on even pavement.

The dude 2 contestants before Ryan broke his leg below the knee on the same apparatus that Ryan crashed and burned on. It's absolutely more dangerous than a light jog on even pavement.

[RiverDog]

I was under the impression that most contracts restrict activities that players can do that would put their health in danger.
As I don't know much about this show, it might be benign in it's risk.

That's kinda what I thought, too, that there were clauses standard in most professional athletic contracts prohibiting players from so-called dangerous activities. Wasn't there some controversy a few years back when Ben Worthlessburger got hurt on his motorcycle that he might have been in violation of the terms of his contract?

[burrrton]

It's absolutely more dangerous than a light jog on even pavement.

Yes, that's why I said "...this side of..."

Injury is a remote possibility, of course, but there is no reason to characterize those challenges as 'risky'- they're just not.

Tough as hell? You bet. But missing a swinging ring and falling into a pool of water 6' below is hardly Russian roulette.

[HawkDawg]

But missing a swinging ring and falling into a pool of water 6' below is hardly Russian roulette.

True perhaps, but after watching the other contestant break his leg... I'm sure it made a few guys in the F.O. pucker up a bit. Hitting a few balls in spring training is hardly Russian roulette, do you think they would allow Wilson to be on a show like this once his contract is settled?

Just glad to see that one of the greatest punters in the game didn't end up getting hurt. I respect his endeavors, but I was a bit nervous for the guy. Especially knowing that a yard or two can make all of the difference. Sure there are a lot of punters out there, but Ryan is something special and we're lucky to have him. I'm just hoping he takes up a different off-season hobby. How about synchronized swimming or chess. I'd even take fencing over this.

[c_hawkbob]

Take a look at the obstacle: http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2 ... wks-punter

That's a 4" wide knee high partition that tilts toward your knees as you run along that 'tilting table', it's what the contestant that broke his leg just below the knee hit his leg on to cause the injury.

Your options to beat that obstacle are:

- to run as close to the partition as possible (in order not to spin the table too fast) and make it in three strides. Which is dangerous because then the partition is right at your inside knee on the third step. This is what broke the other guy's leg.

- to jump to the left over the partition after the second step, a difficult trick, but the only one I saw work.

- or as John and a couple others tried; dive for the next platform after the second step. In order for that to work they would have had to have been much longer strides and a better leap (which the partition makes almost impossible).

Sorry Burr, I just disagree with your description of how dangerous this is. IMO you have your whole team try just this obstacle one time and you wind up with more injuries that you would in any game.

[burrrton]

Bob- would you characterize gymnastics (by gymnasts, not a goof like me), or beach volleyball, as "dangerous" activities?

[HumanCockroach]

RD, it isn't most players, it's some players, typically stars that have enormous guarantees.Ryan Isn't that guy, just like Okung, and numerous other players.

[c_hawkbob]

Bob- would you characterize gymnastics (by gymnasts, not a goof like me), or beach volleyball, as "dangerous" activities?

Volleyball no, especially beach volleyball.

Gymnastics yes, but not as dangerous as cheerleading:

The National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research found that cheerleading accounted for 70.5 percent of catastrophic injuries -- fatal, disabling or serious -- suffered by college athletes.

Yeesh!

[RiverDog]

RD, it isn't most players, it's some players, typically stars that have enormous guarantees.Ryan Isn't that guy, just like Okung, and numerous other players.

I wasn't sure. Thanks.

I remember a New York Yankee's 3rd baseman, Bret Boone's brother, that blew out his knee playing pickup basketball, and there was some discussion as to whether he violated the terms of his contract, so I thought it might be a common clause. That seemed to be pretty restrictive to me. There are hundreds of activities, snow skiing, horseback riding, even riding a bicycle that could be considered dangerous if they're calling things like pickup basketball dangerous.

[Vegaseahawk]

I agree with Bob. I've put 3 daughters through gymnastics, & 1 through high school cheerleading. The injury rate is unbelievable.

[burrrton]

Volleyball no, especially beach volleyball.

Why not? They twist ankles all the time.

Gymnastics yes

Yeah, the locker room after a gymnastics match looks like a M.A.S.H. unit...

How about Track and Field?

[burrrton]

There are hundreds of activities, snow skiing, horseback riding, even riding a bicycle that could be considered dangerous if they're calling things like pickup basketball dangerous.

True, and I think this works in Bob's favor in this argument. "Dangerous" is relative, and if pickup hoops are considered dangerous, no reason ANW (and gymnastics, etc) shouldn't be.

[Vegaseahawk]

Well, if Okung can get away with an episode of running with the bulls in Spain, then I think every activity is open to interpretation.

[c_hawkbob]

Why not? They twist ankles all the time.

Yeah, the locker room after a gymnastics match looks like a M.A.S.H. unit...

How about Track and Field?

If all you want is off the cuff stereotype anecdotes why even ask? You already got those.

[burrrton]

Sorry, Bob, but if you think ANW is dangerous, that's all you're going to get, at least from me.

The risk of injury just isn't that high.