http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/football/nfl/carolina_panthers/15599873.htm Tampa Bay QB Simms in critical condition STEVE LYTTLE slyttle@charlotteobserver.com JEFF SINER - jsiner@charlotteobserver.com Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms takes a knee as team personnel rush to him following a tackle by Carolina Panthers (96) defensive end Al Wallace during Sunday's game at Tampa. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms was taken by ambulance to a Tampa hospital Sunday afternoon and is listed in critical condition, according to reports by several news sources. There is no indication as to the cause of Simms' medical problems. He was hospitalized a short time after the Buccaneers' last-minute 26-24 NFL loss to the Carolina Panthers. Simms appeared to experience medical problems during the game. He was hit hard several times by Panthers defensive players and was taken out of the game in the third quarter. Announcers said Simms had suffered from dehydration in the 90-degree-plus heat and high humidity in Tampa. But Simms, a former University of Texas quarterback whose father, Phil, also played in the NFL, returned to the game this afternoon and led Tampa Bay on a fourth-quarter scoring drive. Observers reported that he left the field on his own power after the game. Simms was not available for interviews after the game, as he was being attended by trainers and doctors. At his postgame press conference, Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden said of Simms: "He got hit early and he hurt his ribs. We don't know the extent of that, but he played hard today. He played tough and he showed a lot of grit. He really did. It is a credit to him. "He is hurting right now, there is no question. He left the game. I don't know that it was because of his ribs, dehydration or both. He is a very sore and tired man right now, and I am proud of how he hung in there against a very good run defense.'' Simms, 6-4 and 220 pounds, is in his fourth season with Tampa Bay. He was a standout at Ramapo (N.J.) High School and was named USA Today's National Offensive Player of the Year in 1998. He played four years at the University of Texas, although he never really earned the full-time starting job. Amid criticism from fans, Simms shared playing time with Major Applewhite. He was a third-round draft choice in 2003 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Simms played a key role last season in the Buccaneers' run to the NFC South Division championship. He completed 61 percent of his passes for 2,035 yards, with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
They just said on Football Night in America that he is *NOT* in critical condition. They got that straight from the team. He's in the hospital for dehydration.
I've heard that he ruptured his spleen and may also be dehydrated. However nbc said he isn't in critical condition.
Al Michael's just said that Simms IS in the hospital, but not in critical condition. The reason he's in the hospital has yet to be disclosed.
ESPN (through Chris Mortensen) just said he had surgery for a ruptured spleen along with several cases of blood transfusion. He's stable but critical. Best of luck Chris. I watched some of the game today. When he came back in from the lockerroom, he didn't look right. He walked and looked a little wobbly. Then, near the goal line, he took another hit and at that point things really didn't look right. Looking at his eyes as well as how he stood, he almost looked drunk... that's the only way I could describe it. And he still stayed in after that hit to finish the game. That leads me to two questions. First, how tough is he for playing through this? Second, and more importantly, why did the team doctors even allow him to step back on the field? I understand the game was important, but if they had any hint at all as to what was going on, it seems very irresponsible to let him out there (even if he said he could).
If he had a great deal of internal bleeding, it would make him act that way. And he is one tough mother, who should have been taken out. Sure hope he's OK. The coaching staff was irresponsible, in my opinion.
Had a classmate in high school whose younger brother collapsed in a little league game, they took him to the hospital, found out his spleen ruptured and he was dead by that evening, but maybe only because of his age (10-12).
