Taylor Tweets

Pardon the pun, but it was a collision … of two worlds.

As I sat at my computer, preparing to watch the Galaxy-Sounders match on Sunday evening, I was distracted when my entire family gasped. They were watching the Eagles-Colts game on television, and Austin Collie had just taken a serious hit to the head.

I'm new to Twitter, but one of the soccer players I've taken to following is the recently retired scoring star of the Revolution, Taylor Twellman. Only a few seconds had gone by before Taylor tweeted … in rapid succession:

"OMG. just saw worst hit ever. my thoughts go out to AustinCollie…completely motionless on the field right now…"

"I just threw up. Can't explain what I am feeling right now. Sick. Please pray for this guy…"

And finally…

"And that is why the @NFL needs to change NOW. Stop bitchin people about rules' changes. ITS FOR THE PLAYERS HEALTH REASONS."

Unless you know someone who's been through the trauma of a head injury, it's hard to relate completely to what Taylor was feeling. There are relatively neat and clean surgeries to repair knee and ankle ligaments, but the brain? Never easy.

I don't pretend to have the answers, but I remember watching hockey star Eric Lindros attempting to come back after about seven concussions and never, ever getting a clear answer from a doctor. My sons asked me the other day about Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech's headgear and why he had to continue wearing it. My nonmedical explanation was that perhaps the headgear made Cech a little less hesitant to throw himself into the mixer. Because any hesitation can lead to a misplay or, worse, another injury.

Much as the soccer fan in many of us wanted to see Twellman's MLS career continue -- I call him the hungriest goal scorer the league has ever had -- it's easy to understand his decision. Twellman was always willing to play hurt, but the blow he took to the head from Los Angeles Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin on Aug. 30, 2008, was too much.

In my 20 years in the sportswriting business, one of my most oft-repeated expressions to athletes nearing the end of their careers is, "Remember, you'll be an ex-player a lot longer than you were a player, and those years may well define you as a person."

I felt for Austin Collie when I saw the replay, but probably not as much as I felt for Twellman. But his post-playing days are more important than any number of goals he could have added to the 101 he scored for the Revolution. He made the right call.

Beckham on the Radar

Twellman continued to tweet (much to my entertainment) during the Galaxy-Sounders game, including this one…

"i know i am stating the obvious…but what I would have done to have #Beckham serving balls in the box on my team UGH…"

Love David Beckham or hate him, you have to admit that there are few players in the world with his precision (shooting or passing) on dead balls. You get the feeling Becks could have taken off the whole year and showed up just to hit free kicks in the playoffs for the Galaxy. Two assists off two restarts Sunday night. Both right onto a teammate's head. The lesson for FC Dallas … be careful fouling L.A. in your own half.