Bud Sasser to be released due to heart condition

[fastcat]

Shouldn't someone had found put at the combine or did he not attend?

Nevermind he didnt attend

 

[fastcat]

I don't know his whole history, but why is this now a problem? He played pee wee, high school and college football. And now he can't play? Imagine working your whole life at something and bein told you can't do it because of your health. I hope the kid has a back up plan.

Its a problemn ow probably becuase if he dies from a football injury the league is liable and on the hook for knowingly putting a guy on the field like that. And could you imagine the ramifications of someone dying on the field this day an age. Would be like a death sentence for the sport. But about 10yrs ago a vikings lineman died from i think a heart condition and i believe he was a pro bowl player but the media coverage wasnt like it is today.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Well it sucks for Bud but he lived the dream longer than most who don't get to play in college, or get to college and don't start. Or worse for the kid that loves sports and is told by doctors that he is not allowed to play them. This heart problem is not going to kill him or even affect him throughout his life. He is going to live a happy healthy life. These guys get cut every year and the likelihood of 6th round picks sticking for long in the NFL is slim.

It's not like he is dying, or as if he was someone we all know. I guess if you are a Mizzou fan it could mean something to you.

 

[Rmfnlt]

Its a problemn ow probably becuase if he dies from a football injury the league is liable and on the hook for knowingly putting a guy on the field like that. And could you imagine the ramifications of someone dying on the field this day an age. Would be like a death sentence for the sport. But about 10yrs ago a vikings lineman died from i think a heart condition and i believe he was a pro bowl player but the media coverage wasnt like it is today.

One interesting snippet from that article (take into consideration the agent said it, but he's quoting doctors from the Mayo clinic):
"The Mayo Clinic doctor did say Bud was such a low risk, he should be able to play," said Scott Thiel, Sasser's agent. "The doctors at the Mayo Clinic said they had several patients that came in with that exact case that are currently playing in the NFL."
I guess it's up to each team to decide if they want to take that risk.

Clearly, Jeff Fisher is a risk-taker... but he is probably wise not to take this one.

If Sasser is talented, I'm sure his agent will keep pushing and perhaps he makes another team.

I hope he does and I hope he never has any issues.

 

[RamBill]

Agent says Bud Sasser has been cleared to play
Posted by Mike Florio on June 5, 2015, 7:44 AM EDT

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/05/agent-says-bud-sasser-has-been-cleared-to-play/

The Rams did something they arguably didn’t have to do with sixth-round receiver Bud Sasser. Instead of rescinding their rights to him after learning that he has a heart condition that they believe will prevent him from playing, they signed him to a contract, paid him a $113,737 signing bonus, and then waived him with a non-football illness designation.

“We did some extensive studies after the draft,” coach Jeff Fisher told reporters on Thursday, via a transcript prepared by the team. “They’re very extensive, as you can imagine, and it was determined and concluded by numerous physicians that he had a pre-existing condition that we don’t feel will allow him to play. . . .

“He was a non-Combine guy and that happens sometimes. Our team physicians, outside physicians, other specialists recommended that he not play. It was a pre-existing condition. We agreed to terms. He got a signing bonus. We’re just going to see what his future holds.”

Sasser’s agent believes the future holds the possibility of Sasser playing. Along with the present.

“He has a very small case of the diagnosis given in St. Louis, he is at little to no risk, he should be able to play,” agent Scott Thield told the Columbia (Mo.) Tribune, via veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer. “The doctor told Bud he in fact knows there are others in the league playing with this same issue.”

Thield claims that Sasser received a second opinion from doctors at the Mayo Clinic, who cleared Sasser to play. And there’s no doubt Sasser wants to play.

“It sucks. I would like to get out there and play,” Sasser told the Tribune. “There’s nothing like sitting back and watching, I’ll tell you that much. If the opportunity comes up, I’ll happily take it. As of right now, I don’t really have an idea where to go from here.”

Sasser will be exposed to waivers, and another team could claim the balance of his contract, with the Rams already paying the signing bonus. If he’s unclaimed, Sasser will be placed on the Rams’ NFI list, which means he will be unable to play this season. It’ll be up to the Rams whether to pay his rookie salary of $435,000.

If there’s any team remotely interested in Sasser, it essentially would cost nothing to claim him on waivers, bring him in, check him out, and make a decision on whether he should be cleared to play. If he’s not, the new team would waive him like the Rams did, and the worst-case scenario is that he’d be placed on NFI list and not be paid.

It’s impossible to know Sasser’s worst-case scenario from a financial standpoint without knowing whether the Rams would pay him while on NFI — and whether the claims him on waivers would do the same, if he fails a physical there, too.

From a health standpoint, the worst-case scenario is obvious given that the condition involves a fairly important organ. On one hand, the player/patient should be permitted to make his own decisions about any health risks he may or may not have. On the other hand, at some point teams need to protect players from themselves.

 

[LazyWinker]

One interesting snippet from that article (take into consideration the agent said it, but he's quoting doctors from the Mayo clinic):
"The Mayo Clinic doctor did say Bud was such a low risk, he should be able to play," said Scott Thiel, Sasser's agent. "The doctors at the Mayo Clinic said they had several patients that came in with that exact case that are currently playing in the NFL."
I guess it's up to each team to decide if they want to take that risk.

Clearly, Jeff Fisher is a risk-taker... but he is probably wise not to take this one.

If Sasser is talented, I'm sure his agent will keep pushing and perhaps he makes another team.

I hope he does and I hope he never has any issues.

I don't think Fisher and the Rams made this decision lightly. It seems like they had Bud's best intentions in mind when making the decision. Knowing that some doctor thinks Bud will be fine makes me respect Fisher even more. I'm sure there are a lot of coaches that one doctor saying what they want to hear is enough to have that guy suit up. I hope any team considering Bud gives Fisher a call before claiming him.

The guy from the Mayo Clinic could be that one doctor out of 100 that recommends smoking for all we know.

 

[Boston Ram]

What a shame. The most important thing is his health though.

 

[DaveFan'51]

Agent says Bud Sasser has been cleared to play
Posted by Mike Florio on June 5, 2015, 7:44 AM EDT

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/05/agent-says-bud-sasser-has-been-cleared-to-play/

The Rams did something they arguably didn’t have to do with sixth-round receiver Bud Sasser. Instead of rescinding their rights to him after learning that he has a heart condition that they believe will prevent him from playing, they signed him to a contract, paid him a $113,737 signing bonus, and then waived him with a non-football illness designation.

“We did some extensive studies after the draft,” coach Jeff Fisher told reporters on Thursday, via a transcript prepared by the team. “They’re very extensive, as you can imagine, and it was determined and concluded by numerous physicians that he had a pre-existing condition that we don’t feel will allow him to play. . . .

“He was a non-Combine guy and that happens sometimes. Our team physicians, outside physicians, other specialists recommended that he not play. It was a pre-existing condition. We agreed to terms. He got a signing bonus. We’re just going to see what his future holds.”

Sasser’s agent believes the future holds the possibility of Sasser playing. Along with the present.

“He has a very small case of the diagnosis given in St. Louis, he is at little to no risk, he should be able to play,” agent Scott Thield told the Columbia (Mo.) Tribune, via veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer. “The doctor told Bud he in fact knows there are others in the league playing with this same issue.”

Thield claims that Sasser received a second opinion from doctors at the Mayo Clinic, who cleared Sasser to play. And there’s no doubt Sasser wants to play.

“It sucks. I would like to get out there and play,” Sasser told the Tribune. “There’s nothing like sitting back and watching, I’ll tell you that much. If the opportunity comes up, I’ll happily take it. As of right now, I don’t really have an idea where to go from here.”

Sasser will be exposed to waivers, and another team could claim the balance of his contract, with the Rams already paying the signing bonus. If he’s unclaimed, Sasser will be placed on the Rams’ NFI list, which means he will be unable to play this season. It’ll be up to the Rams whether to pay his rookie salary of $435,000.

If there’s any team remotely interested in Sasser, it essentially would cost nothing to claim him on waivers, bring him in, check him out, and make a decision on whether he should be cleared to play. If he’s not, the new team would waive him like the Rams did, and the worst-case scenario is that he’d be placed on NFI list and not be paid.

It’s impossible to know Sasser’s worst-case scenario from a financial standpoint without knowing whether the Rams would pay him while on NFI — and whether the claims him on waivers would do the same, if he fails a physical there, too.

From a health standpoint, the worst-case scenario is obvious given that the condition involves a fairly important organ. On one hand, the player/patient should be permitted to make his own decisions about any health risks he may or may not have. On the other hand, at some point teams need to protect players from themselves.

I think it is better for all concerned, that the Rams error on the side of caution! and cut the player!

 

[hotanez]

Agent says Bud Sasser has been cleared to play
Posted by Mike Florio on June 5, 2015, 7:44 AM EDT

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/05/agent-says-bud-sasser-has-been-cleared-to-play/

The Rams did something they arguably didn’t have to do with sixth-round receiver Bud Sasser. Instead of rescinding their rights to him after learning that he has a heart condition that they believe will prevent him from playing, they signed him to a contract, paid him a $113,737 signing bonus, and then waived him with a non-football illness designation.

“We did some extensive studies after the draft,” coach Jeff Fisher told reporters on Thursday, via a transcript prepared by the team. “They’re very extensive, as you can imagine, and it was determined and concluded by numerous physicians that he had a pre-existing condition that we don’t feel will allow him to play. . . .

“He was a non-Combine guy and that happens sometimes. Our team physicians, outside physicians, other specialists recommended that he not play. It was a pre-existing condition. We agreed to terms. He got a signing bonus. We’re just going to see what his future holds.”

Sasser’s agent believes the future holds the possibility of Sasser playing. Along with the present.

“He has a very small case of the diagnosis given in St. Louis, he is at little to no risk, he should be able to play,” agent Scott Thield told the Columbia (Mo.) Tribune, via veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer. “The doctor told Bud he in fact knows there are others in the league playing with this same issue.”

Thield claims that Sasser received a second opinion from doctors at the Mayo Clinic, who cleared Sasser to play. And there’s no doubt Sasser wants to play.

“It sucks. I would like to get out there and play,” Sasser told the Tribune. “There’s nothing like sitting back and watching, I’ll tell you that much. If the opportunity comes up, I’ll happily take it. As of right now, I don’t really have an idea where to go from here.”

Sasser will be exposed to waivers, and another team could claim the balance of his contract, with the Rams already paying the signing bonus. If he’s unclaimed, Sasser will be placed on the Rams’ NFI list, which means he will be unable to play this season. It’ll be up to the Rams whether to pay his rookie salary of $435,000.

If there’s any team remotely interested in Sasser, it essentially would cost nothing to claim him on waivers, bring him in, check him out, and make a decision on whether he should be cleared to play. If he’s not, the new team would waive him like the Rams did, and the worst-case scenario is that he’d be placed on NFI list and not be paid.

It’s impossible to know Sasser’s worst-case scenario from a financial standpoint without knowing whether the Rams would pay him while on NFI — and whether the claims him on waivers would do the same, if he fails a physical there, too.

From a health standpoint, the worst-case scenario is obvious given that the condition involves a fairly important organ. On one hand, the player/patient should be permitted to make his own decisions about any health risks he may or may not have. On the other hand, at some point teams need to protect players from themselves.

So is it correct that the Rams didn't have to sign and pay Bud a bonus? If that's true very classy move by the Rams.

 

[MrMotes]

Well PFT says "arguably" so it seems they're not sure. Here's what the CBA says:

Section 3. Required Tender: A Club that drafts a player shall be deemed to have au-tomatically tendered the player a four-year NFL Player Contract for the Minimum Active/Inactive List Salary for such League Years. The NFL or the Club shall provide the player with notice of such Required Tender before or immediately following the Draft.

 

[hotanez]

Well PFT says "arguably" so it seems they're not sure. Here's what the CBA says:

Section 3. Required Tender: A Club that drafts a player shall be deemed to have au-tomatically tendered the player a four-year NFL Player Contract for the Minimum Active/Inactive List Salary for such League Years. The NFL or the Club shall provide the player with notice of such Required Tender before or immediately following the Draft.

I did catch that part but the article also mentioned "rescinding" and "pre-existing ". It's those two things that make me think that the team had the option of not paying him a bonus.

 

[RamBill]

Sasser Story Could Have A Few More Twists and Turns--Florio

The Rams have waived sixth-round receiver Bud Sasser and if he clears waivers, he’ll reportedly be placed on the non-football illness designation. The Rams paid him a signing bonus and could pay him his salary for this year. Mike Florio talks about how Sasser’s agent says that the Mayo Clinic has cleared him to play. Is Sasser able to challenge the Rams decision, especially if the don’t pay him his salary this year. Would another team claim him and allow him to play? Lots of ways this could go.

Watch Florio Talk Sasser Situation

 

[OldSchool]

View: https://twitter.com/nwagoner/status/627262888948822016


Interesting to see how this works out. Would be another classy move by the organization to put the kid to work with them.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Interesting to see how this works out. Would be another classy move by the organization to put the kid to work with them.

Nice find OS. No kidding. Rams opening the door. Cool stuff.

 

[Corbin]

View: https://twitter.com/nwagoner/status/627262888948822016


Interesting to see how this works out. Would be another classy move by the organization to put the kid to work with them.

Nick Wagner is actually starting to sound positive in his reporting! or is it just me?