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You Should Feel Sorry for Bud Sasser

By Nic Moody

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Bud Sasser may have not been a high draft pick, but he was still a favorite to make the roster. Sasser had a dream that millions of people have, to play football professionally. Sadly, that dream might have been ended after the St Louis Rams released him following a failed physical before he could even take a snap at OTA’s.

Sasser was failed due to a “heart condition”. There isn’t much detail yet describing what kind of condition it is, but anytime it pertains to the heart or brain, the NFL doesn’t take too many chances anymore. Sasser’s Agent says he is good to go in the following statement:

“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, the doctor told Bud he in fact knows there are others in the league playing with this same issue.”

Regardless, it doesn’t matter. Sasser was released and completely cleared waivers, and considering the bargain that a team could have gotten him for, it appears no one is interested. (St Louis paid his signing bonus, so teams would only have to pay the minimum.) Which is a shame, because Sasser is a good football player, and a even better person. He doesn’t want you to feel bad though:

I don’t care what he says, you should feel sorry for him.

Players spend every second from the moment they pick up their first football dreaming of someday playing in the NFL. For players like Bud, they have spent millions of hours practicing, millions of hours working out, and millions of hours preparing for each level they have passed, whether it be high school, college, or NFL, these players dedicate everything to be the best. Their families have sacrificed so much, driving to games, picking them up from practice, spending their money, it is impossible to describe everything that is given up so a player can play.

Bud did not have an easy road either. Sasser did not see much action in his first three seasons at Mizzou, but finally got a chance his senior year, and made the most of it. Sasser caught 77 passes and had just over the 1000 yard mark in receiving, earning him a chance at the NFL. Sasser impressed the St Louis Rams enough at Mizzou’s pro day to allow himself to be drafted in the sixth round of the 2015 draft.

It had all come together for Sasser, the millions of hours, the hard work, the patiently waiting, had all come down to getting a legitimate chance to earn a spot on a NFL roster. Sasser showed up to camp ready to go, but did not get to participate. A few days later, Rams announced that Sasser could not pass their physical, and was released from the team.

Sasser was that close. To work so hard for something, and to have all your hard work pay off, only to have it ripped out from under you before it even begins, is heartbreaking. It’s heartbreaking for the fans, and it’s heartbreaking for the player.

This happens more and more all over the country. Players are dying because of enlarged hearts, or suffering from heart attacks during practice, it’s growing all the time, but the athletes don’t care. They want to play, because they love the game. It’s all they know, it’s what they eat, breath, everyday.

Lauren Hill is a great example. All Lauren wanted to do was play Basketball, and she died doing what she loved, and probably wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Bud Sasser is in the same boat. Even though he has been cleared to play by some doctors after receiving a second opinion, it still doesn’t surprise me Fisher let him loose. No coach wants to risk a player’s life. They just don’t. Fisher would never forgive himself if something went wrong during practice or during a game, so Fisher did not even risk it, and cut Sasser free.

I know Sasser would have it the other way, but given that there is even a small chance, no team would be willing to risk him dying, and that is why I doubt he will ever play in the NFL. I am not saying you should pity him, but it is impossible not to feel sorry for a man whose career likely ended before it even began.

Next: St. Louis Rams Gelling Very Nicely At OTAs

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