Broncos defensive back is back on the field after collapse
Frank Schwab
<TABLE class=photos cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=right>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
December 27, 2006 5:14 PM
The Gazette
(MCT)
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Domonique Foxworth's memory of what happened after Sunday's game is hazy, but the Denver Broncos defensive back said he didn't believe he was dying.
Foxworth had trouble breathing and his heart raced in the locker room. He was attended to by the Broncos' training staff as teammates watched and worried.
''It didn't cross my mind that I was going to die or anything, but it didn't feel good,'' Foxworth said.
He was hyperventilating. After being checked out by the training staff, he didn't need further tests or a trip to the hospital.
With some time to reflect on the incident, Foxworth said he thought about San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Thomas Herrion's death. Herrion collapsed in the locker room at Invesco Field at Mile High and died after a preseason game Aug.20, 2005. The 49ers play at Denver this Sunday.
''It's a dangerous game, especially playing the 49ers and what happened the last time they came here,'' Foxworth said. ''It's something that comes to mind quite often, and things like that even though my situation wasn't that serious, now that I think about it that's what comes to mind. At that time I was thinking about 'Why can't I breathe?'''
Foxworth said trainers told him afterward that the worst-case scenario was he would black out, and his breathing and heart rate would return to normal. His teammates and coaches had no way of knowing that at the time, and many described a scary feeling as they huddled around Foxworth as trainers worked on him.
Foxworth was down for about four or five minutes before he started breathing normally. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan was about to give a postgame speech when Foxworth started having problems.
''I know, at the time, it was very serious,'' Shanahan said after the game.
After practice Wednesday, Foxworth seemed uncomfortable talking about what happened. Foxworth didn't speak to the media after the game Sunday.
''I just came in and I remember people talking to me and I was breathing really heavy,'' Foxworth said. ''Then the breathing heavy part was kind of a blur. Then I remember regaining everything, and there were like six people in front of me and I felt real stupid. It was like, get away from me, I'm fine now.''
Foxworth's problems came after one of his best games. Foxworth became a starting safety earlier this month, even though he had barely played the position. He moved back to his natural position of cornerback when the Broncos used a nickel defense with five defensive backs, which they used almost the entire game against Cincinnati.
Foxworth led the Broncos with 14 tackles against the Bengals. He hurt his chest early in the game, but said it's not unusual to get be hurt during a game and didn't think it led to his hyperventilation. He started getting a bit concerned when the Broncos' offense had a 99-yard drive that took 7:17 off the clock, and he still couldn't catch his breath.
''The majority of the second half, I wasn't feeling quite right,'' Foxworth said.
The only reminder of his incident after Sunday's game was reporters asking about it. He practiced Wednesday and said he had no lingering effects from what happened.
''I'm fine now,'' Foxworth said. ''That's all that matters.''
---
(c) 2006, The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.).
Visit The Gazette on the World Wide Web at http://www.gazette.com.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services