dragondawg
06-09-2007, 03:13 AM
Ex-Bronco Wilson still awaits medical clearance
By Tom Kensler
Denver Post Staff Writer
Castle Rock - Former Broncos middle linebacker Al Wilson still holds out hope that his playing career isn't over.
Wilson, who will turn 30 on June 21, said today that he has been contacted by several NFL teams but he is not yet cleared by doctors to play. A four-time Pro Bowl selection and one of the most popular players in Broncos' history, Wilson was carted off the field after suffering a neck injury in the fourth quarter of the 12th game, Dec. 3 against Seattle.
Returning to the starting lineup the following week, Wilson accounted for seven unassisted tackles against San Diego. He suited up but did not see action in the final game and he did not play in the Pro Bowl after being named a starter.
The Broncos released their team captain for the past six seasons on April 13 because of injury and salary cap concerns.
Wilson declined to identify the teams that have shown interest in him.
"I'm just trying to stay in shape and see where it goes from there," Wilson said today before teeing off in the sixth annual Al Wilson Prostate Cancer Golf Tournament at The Ridge at Castle Pines North.
"The neck feels good. But at the same time, that's just an internal thing, how I feel. You never know until you get out there and play ball. If you're not healthy, you shouldn't be out there.
"So it's still up in the air," he added. "I feel good. But that doesn't mean the tests won't show that nothing has changed. I'm just looking forward to finding out."
Wilson's benefit golf event is expected to raise more than $100,000 this year to support free or low-cost prostate cancer screenings. Wilson lost a grandfather, Milton Grice, to the disease.
"This tournament is for a great cause, a cause that's near and dear to my heart," Wilson said. "We're out here to help get guys to think about getting tested. It's something I look forward to every year."
A Broncos first-round draft choice in 1999 out of Tennessee, Wilson recorded a team-best 113 tackles in 2006 and has 959 in his eight-year career. He plans to maintain a residence in the Denver area.
"I'll be here," Wilson said. "I've been here nine years, so it's hard to just pick up and leave. The city has been great to me. It's a great place to be. It's beautiful, and I plan to be around."
After being released, Wilson said there were no hard feelings and took out a full-page advertisement in local newspapers to thank the fans.
"I miss not being a Bronco. But I don't miss the mini-camps, training camps, none of that," Wilson said with a grin.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_6095077
By Tom Kensler
Denver Post Staff Writer
Castle Rock - Former Broncos middle linebacker Al Wilson still holds out hope that his playing career isn't over.
Wilson, who will turn 30 on June 21, said today that he has been contacted by several NFL teams but he is not yet cleared by doctors to play. A four-time Pro Bowl selection and one of the most popular players in Broncos' history, Wilson was carted off the field after suffering a neck injury in the fourth quarter of the 12th game, Dec. 3 against Seattle.
Returning to the starting lineup the following week, Wilson accounted for seven unassisted tackles against San Diego. He suited up but did not see action in the final game and he did not play in the Pro Bowl after being named a starter.
The Broncos released their team captain for the past six seasons on April 13 because of injury and salary cap concerns.
Wilson declined to identify the teams that have shown interest in him.
"I'm just trying to stay in shape and see where it goes from there," Wilson said today before teeing off in the sixth annual Al Wilson Prostate Cancer Golf Tournament at The Ridge at Castle Pines North.
"The neck feels good. But at the same time, that's just an internal thing, how I feel. You never know until you get out there and play ball. If you're not healthy, you shouldn't be out there.
"So it's still up in the air," he added. "I feel good. But that doesn't mean the tests won't show that nothing has changed. I'm just looking forward to finding out."
Wilson's benefit golf event is expected to raise more than $100,000 this year to support free or low-cost prostate cancer screenings. Wilson lost a grandfather, Milton Grice, to the disease.
"This tournament is for a great cause, a cause that's near and dear to my heart," Wilson said. "We're out here to help get guys to think about getting tested. It's something I look forward to every year."
A Broncos first-round draft choice in 1999 out of Tennessee, Wilson recorded a team-best 113 tackles in 2006 and has 959 in his eight-year career. He plans to maintain a residence in the Denver area.
"I'll be here," Wilson said. "I've been here nine years, so it's hard to just pick up and leave. The city has been great to me. It's a great place to be. It's beautiful, and I plan to be around."
After being released, Wilson said there were no hard feelings and took out a full-page advertisement in local newspapers to thank the fans.
"I miss not being a Bronco. But I don't miss the mini-camps, training camps, none of that," Wilson said with a grin.
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_6095077