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Get Dallas Cowboys news on your cellSprings in a "vegetable" state
5:28 PM Wed, Nov 14, 2007 | Permalink
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February 2008
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Movers and Shakers Pre-season Texas Stadium dallasnews.com
Sports Blogs |
 LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN Redskins CB Shawn Springs just finished up a conference call with the Dallas media, and said his father Ron -- the former Cowboy running back who has been in a coma since Oct. 12 -- is "pretty much a vegetable" at this point. "For me, and my situation, I’m a little more at peace," Shawn said. "I feel whatever happens, if he wakes up, great, or if it’s time, I have accepted that my father is in a better place. I have faith, but I am very real about the situation. Not many people have ever awaken from this type of coma. … "At this point, it’s more of a decision that my stepmom has to make on what she wants to do and how she comes to peace with it." Shawn said he's "quite sure it's a very difficult decision" for his stepmother, and that the family is trying to help her come up with one. And the outpouring of support hasn't stopped there. Springs said a large contingent of players -- Tony Dorsett, Everson Walls, Tony Hill, Calvin Hill and Robert Newhouse among them -- have been by the hospital to visit, showing the strength of the bond the players had and the kind of guy Ron was. "The first week (at the hospital) was like a Cowboy reunion," Springs said. "And they’re still coming by. A lot of them have just been very supportive and accept whatever happens. It’s loss, for that Cowboy family, it’s a loss for them. All those guys are hurting." Springs said he plans to stay in Dallas with his father through Tuesday. He said his uncle Roscoe has been praying for Ron to wake up in time for Thanksgiving, so he can watch the Cowboys play the Jets. I think we can all join him in that. |
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Comments
Posted by Scott in SA @ 5:46 PM Wed, Nov 14, 2007
Sad deal. Prayers for Shawn, Ron, and the whole Springs family. :(
Posted by Chuck @ 5:48 PM Wed, Nov 14, 2007
Has a reason for this been released? He went in for a minor, routine removal of a boyle, and he's now in a severe coma. The whole thing is odd.
Posted by muddcatt @ 6:25 PM Wed, Nov 14, 2007
I had been waiting to hear an update on Mr. Springs,sorry to hear about that. My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family.
Posted by S L @ 7:25 PM Wed, Nov 14, 2007
so so sorry. To his family - Please know there is no wrong decision you can make when you have love in your heart for him. Peace to everyone having to wrestle with this and deal with the emptiness.
Thank you for the many, many smiles you brought to all of us along the way.
Posted by Kevin @ 8:23 PM Wed, Nov 14, 2007
A may be referred to as a "vegetable", but that is because he is most likely in a "vegetative state".This is a medical term for a person who is alive , but without any higher brain functions.
A "vegetable state" would be California, which produces the most vegetables in the US.
Posted by Vaquero @ 8:32 PM Wed, Nov 14, 2007
Whatever happens to Ron from here on out is in the hands of the Lord. The thing that should give comfort to his family and all of us who remember his contributions to the Cowboys is that this man has a personal relationship and has been saved by the grace of Jesus, and if he departs this earth, like my father did almost a year ago due to cancer, he will be in the presence and love of the saviour for all eternity.
God bless Ron and may he have mercy on us all.
Just like Ron, this dying earth is in great need of a living Jesus.
Posted by Pokes @ 9:16 PM Wed, Nov 14, 2007
Unfortunatly this can be a common occerrence with kidney transplants. Its always a risky choice in a situation where there is no choice. Prayers to Ron and his family
Posted by Tom @ 9:20 PM Wed, Nov 14, 2007
I know there's been a trbute to Ron Springs and Everson Walls earlier this year, but some recognition from the organization, so the Texas Stadium crowd can show some love with his son on the field would be a fitting salute this Sunday.
Posted by Stevo @ 9:52 PM Wed, Nov 14, 2007
Classy observation Kevin. Do you scan the obits for jokes/ snarky comments as well?
Posted by Marcus @ 11:39 PM Wed, Nov 14, 2007
I agree with Stevo. Kevin, your sarcasm is out of place in this situation.
Anyone who has lost a parent understands what Shawn Springs is going through. Especially anyone who has watched that parent drift away while their health declined.
Even better than waking up by Thanksgiving, I wish Ron Springs could watch Shawn play the Cowboys this weekend.
SL, I like how you said it... "there is no wrong decision you can make when you have love in your heart for him." Wishing love and peace to Shawn, Ron, and the rest of the Springs family.
Posted by RyanA @ 6:46 AM Thu, Nov 15, 2007
Kevin, shut your mouth.
Posted by Kevin @ 7:48 AM Thu, Nov 15, 2007
I have a tremendous amount of pity for the Ron Springs situation, his family, and all people who have terminal illnesses.
If my comment, which admittedly was a poor attempt to find humor in a tragic situation ( I did not comment on the text of he piece, for it speaks for itself) offends, I am sorry. Instead, what I was trying to do was show how degrading it is to say that someone is a "vegetable." I was poking fun at the term, never the condition of "persistent vegetative state" and certainly not at Ron Springs.
He is a person, who has fought a terrible disease heroically, but he is not a vegetable. He may be gone from us, so lets not remember him as this, but as the player he was.
More importantly, perhaps Everson Walls's selfless act will cause more people to consider organ donation. How many people who wrote above are organ donors? How many have gone for a bone marrow screening to see if they are compatible with someone who needs this? How many? If his death causes five people to donate organs or marrow ( something you don't need to die to do) then his death will be greater than most of us can hope to achieve in life, the saving of another.
Check out this link, if you are serious about doing something to honor Ron Springs. http://www.marrow.org/ABOUT/Need_for_Donors/index.html
Posted by Mike Elliott @ 8:38 AM Thu, Nov 15, 2007
I watched him play all my life growing up, and I admire him as a man and a player. God be with you on your next journey Ron. we love you. Mike Elliott {A forever Fan}
Posted by Stephen @ 11:33 AM Thu, Nov 15, 2007
Vaquero, you speak the truth. Thanks for sharing! He Lives!!!
Posted by Jesus @ 10:45 PM Thu, Nov 15, 2007
I am Jesus. Getcha popcorn ready!
Posted by Tom Toldan @ 6:02 AM Wed, Dec 26, 2007
Faith Healing works. I am a Healer give me a try.