DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Bentley will try to come back this year (article from Cleveland PD)

Bentley will try to come back this year
Told last fall his career was over, Browns center hopes to defy odds by returning to field Sunday, July 01, 2007Mary Kay CabotPlain Dealer Reporter
Despite being told he'd never play football again, Browns center and hometown favorite LeCharles Bentley said this week he'll try to make a comeback this season.

"I've been fortunate enough to have worked myself into a position to even think about playing football again," Bentley said in an exclusive interview with The Plain Dealer. "In spite of some major hurdles, I've been truly blessed all along the way to the point where I might possibly play this year."

Bentley, who will be in Berea for the first day of training camp July 27, revealed that he has undergone four surgeries over the past 11 months instead of the two that have been previously reported.

The first was to repair the torn left patella tendon suffered on the first day of contact drills last July. The next two were to clean out a life- and limb-threatening staph infection that penetrated the joint following the initial surgery. Those were each followed by a 30-day stay at the Cleveland Clinic. And the fourth operation, performed by Giants team physician Dr. Russell Warren in New York in November, was to clean out more staph and remove a portion of the tendon that was eaten away by the infection.

It was after that fourth surgery that Warren, one of the nation's most prominent orthopedic surgeons, told Bentley -- a two-time Pro Bowler with a lifelong dream to play for his hometown Browns -- that he'd never play football again.

"He told me to retire and he basically bet his license that I'd never play football again," said Bentley, who grew up in Cleveland and played at St. Ignatius and Ohio State.

Undaunted, Bentley, 27, rehabbed in Cleveland and then flew to Phoenix in January to focus entirely on his recovery.

"At that point, it was more just about living a normal life than playing football again," Bentley said. "I was trying to learn how to walk up the stairs again."

Bentley flew back and forth to New York to see Warren, who scheduled a fifth surgery for June 3. This time, Warren would most likely use a cadaver tendon to rebuild Bentley's ravaged patella.

But after an examination in May, Warren decided against the surgery.

"He told me my knee was sufficiently healed enough to live a normal life," said Bentley, who was the top-rated free agent when the Browns signed him in March of 2006. "He said, Go retire, go fishing, go live your life.' "

Football was not part of the discussion. But Warren got the wheels turning in Bentley's mind.

"If he's telling me I don't need surgery," Bentley said, "I started thinking, Maybe I can play again.' "

Bentley took his rehab to another level and began working out in Columbus, including some at Ohio State. "I started to feel like a football player again," he said.

When he told Warren about his progress in mid-June, the doctor deemed it remarkable. "He told me to call him in a couple of weeks and that if everything looked good, he'd pass me on my physical," Bentley said.

Bentley, who's rehabbing again in Phoenix, called Browns coach Romeo Crennel about a week ago and told him he'd be coming to camp and that he'd try to play this season.

"He said great and that he'd see me then," Bentley said.

Bentley said he'll most likely start camp by working out individually and then ease his way into position drills. "I don't anticipate any contact until at least three weeks into it," he said.

He said he'll take it one day at a time, but that his goal is to play in the opener Sept. 9 against Pittsburgh.

"I want to fulfill my promise to Browns fans to come back and help this team win," he said. "I don't want to let anybody down."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

http://www.cleveland.com/sports/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/118327899035090.xml&coll=2

Bentley finally speaks These rumors have been around for a while, but as I heard them they were just rumors, and there were no solid facts coming out of Berea.

Good luck LCB, we will be praying for you. You sure would look nice playing RG for the Browns THIS season.

I've got my fingers crossed for him, but I don't know if his chances of playing again are very promising. Sounds encouraging, though. Good luck, LeCharles.

Wow... i knew it would come.. someone said July.. and they didnt hesitate.. its JULY 1ST!!! lol...

GET'r done BENT!!!

I Dont See Any Reason Why LeCharles Cant Come Back

If Gary Baxter Can, So Can Bentley

Wow, great news if he can do it. Can you imagine our line...

"I want to fulfill my promise to Browns fans to come back and help this team win," he said. "I don't want to let anybody down."

He'll Be Back For Sure

Even If Its 90%, I Think His 90% is Better Then Anyone We Have On The Line Anyways..

Great Great news. If the rest of our team plays with the same determination and drive that LCB and Baxter have,....
Playoffs! Did you say Playoffs!

Both Baxter and Bentley have made remarkable progress toward returning to a normal life. Both were told they would not play football again. Bentley's doctor, after the fourth surgery, was willing to bet his license against his return. Neither one has been near a football field yet. Simply b/c both have a goal to play on opening day does not mean it is realistic. If I was either Baxter or Bentley's wife I would be on their butts to retire with an injury settlement so I would not have to take care of a cripple. Wives have a way of getting what they want, just ask Montana and Aikman.

But good wives don't try to crush a man's dreams, and hopes.

it's amazing how well this organization has kept a lid on something like this... it makes you wonder what else is out there that has happened.

To the the person that made the comment that if Baxter can come back so can Bently.

The biggest problem wasn't repairing the tendon. it was the staph that ate away at the tendon... Bently is a very lucky guy. He will probably have to have surgery again at some point and replace the tendon. I dont' know how many miles we can get out of Bently but I'm proud he's fighting to play on the field .

I am sorry....I don't like the fact he is making this move based on what was presented in the article.

If I was in charge of the Browns, I wouldn't let him come back. I would pay him for this year and cut him.

If something really terrible happens to the guy, I wouldn't want it on my watch.

Yes....I know it is his decision, but sometimes people don't make good decisions.

I wonder if he's anywhere near playing weight (312) ... and a little surprised if the question wasn't asked. I'll be rooting for LCB, but like Ballpeen, the article didn't leave me with a good feeling about his chances for a successful return.

This is all very shocking that Bentley came very close to losing his life or at least his leg with the staph infection. And the Doctor told him to retire. I have to admit, I feel nervous for Bentley. Of course I want him to play but I also don't want him to end up crippled trying to "not let the fans down". He could never let us down after what he's been through. Good Luck LeCharles!!!!!!! I hope and pray that you can come back if YOU want to and be healthy.

"If I was in charge of the Browns, I wouldn't let him come back. I would pay him for this year and cut him"
How can you say that? Especially when his surgeon said this....
When he told Warren about his progress in mid-June, the doctor deemed it remarkable. "He told me to call him in a couple of weeks and that if everything looked good, he'd pass me on my physical," Bentley said.
If his doctor clears him to come back, I'd have to think he should at least have a chance to play.

This is scary! 4 surgeries in 11 months,, a noted expert telling him to retire and he's gonna try to come back..

Let me say this, nothing would make me happier for him and the Browns than if he could come back and play up to his old form.. That would be terrific and I'm pulling for him in that regard.

I also like that he thinks it will be about the three weeks into camp before he expects contact.. That's good that he intends to let it flow. That gives him time to decide if he's a go or no go! So that's cool,

I also appreciate that he wants to keep his promise to the team and the fans.. very cool...But man, if it's a decision between me walking again and trying to keep my word,, I'm walking,, simple as that.

I hate to sound like a downer,, most who know me know I'm more on the optimistic side... But this scares me a little.. I'd be worried about his health if I were the Browns.

Quote:

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Pretend the guy wasn't a Brown and we just traded
a 2nd round pick for the guy. Who would be happy about that??

---

Are you forgetting he is a superhuman Buckeye???

peens right, we all love this fact his guy is going to try to make a miracle comeback, but we have to temper that with the fact that he almost lost his leg to an infection.

we have to temper all this joy with the real possibility that one bad hit could take his ability to walk away.

all that being said, maybe the curse is lifting

I guess I am not worried about the money anymore and more concerned about the guys ability to walk.

Stupid me.

Wow. I can only hope he is recovering and that the tendon heals to a point where he can play. It's a risky proposition, but one he seems willing to take. I can only offer up good thoughts and prayers that his rehab and healing continue and that he ultimately makes the right decision. If he plays, I wish him a long and healthy career. For me, it's not even about the team at this point, I just wish the best for him, whatever that is.

Fair points, Peen.

However, the doctor who performed the (4) surgeries is the same doctor who is releasing/passing him on his physical.

Again...I do not doubt your point...but in this case, I think it's as legit as it gets.

The single smartest thing the Browns could do is put Bents on the PUP list and let him heal some more...Then activate him and just let him get back into football shape the rest of the year...2008 would be like his 2 year healing hiatus...

Anyone thinking Bentley will PLAY ahead of Fraley at the START of the season is dillusional...And I don't care what Bents himself says...

Not sure what being a Buckeye has to do w/it, other than provide an opportunity to make fun of people from Ohio again.


It's kind of funny how so many people are shocked by the news of how bad his injury was/is. I've been trying to tell you since last September. With that said, this is the first time I have heard he was coming back this year. That one threw me for a loop. He must have kept this very, very quiet.

I do agree w/Peen about the situation. The trade example was a fine one. Teams might actually look the other way once their money is already in a guy's pockets.

The bottom line on all of this is the main concern should be this man's health. The injury was severe. The article didn't even mention that his kneecap was in his thigh. The later infection was even worse. A lot of thought needs to go into how to proceed w/Bentley.

All i really see is this...

Quote:

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When he told Warren about his progress in mid-June, the doctor deemed it remarkable. "He told me to call him in a couple of weeks and that if everything looked good, he'd pass me on my physical," Bentley said.

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So my question is......has he been released?? I can't find it that he has..maybe I am just missing something????

I know the beginning of the article says Bentlly will try to come back....but try can mean he will try....as in getting released.

If he can come back in his old form, it'd be fantastic... But what are the chances? 4 surgeries in 11 months. One bad hit and that's it, he's not walking again.

Scary, but you have to love his passion for the game and for the team. I'm looking forward to seeing him in TC, he'll know if he's ready or not there. I just hope he takes care of himself, and thinks of his future. I'd be worried if I were the Browns, he's fought to get back here. I just hope he doesn't do anything rash, he needs to be at 100%.

His personal health is the most important thing to me. Even if he is ready to play, it could wait until 2008. Just having him there for practice would be great for the team and the fans.

Best news anyone could have hoped for. Even if he doesnt start this year and its the same for Baxter, Having those 2 on this team has to rub off on everyone including the fans.

This is that positive this team needs to get that monkey off its back.

Whether or not he ever returns to form is not really the issue when it comes to Bentley. LeCharles Bentley was our poster boy for bringing area players back home to play for their beloved. What happened to him underscored the horrible and I mean horrible luck that has plagued this team since 99. If he makes it back to the field in any capacity it will go a long way to erasing the "curse" stigma. Even if his career ends up being essentially over, if they announce LCB's name at CBS on opening day this season it will be the single biggest lift that this franchise has had since 99.


A superhuman buckeye???? He is determined to make it back. He has never forgot where he came from and what football means to the fans in this state. If the football culture in Ohio breeds that kind of determination than so be it. Whether or not it is superhuman, it still illustrates alot about football in the state of Ohio.

I'm not giving it up. I just started. For years, I have listened to people bash everything to do w/Ohio except for the Browns. I sat quietly and took it. No more.

People say the dumbest things.........like......."if he didn't play for Ohio State, none of you would be considering him." Does anyone know how many players Ohio State puts into the NFL? Jesus.

Back to Bentley:

Quote:

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When he told Warren about his progress in mid-June, the doctor deemed it remarkable. "He told me to call him in a couple of weeks and that if everything looked good, he'd pass me on my physical," Bentley said.

Bentley, who's rehabbing again in Phoenix, called Browns coach Romeo Crennel about a week ago and told him he'd be coming to camp and that he'd try to play this season.

---

This part does indeed leave too many unanswered questions.

Is it shoddy journalism? Maybe she just forgot to add that the doctor cleared Bentley?

Does it mean that Bentley didn't get approval and decided he was well enough to return? In other words.......he cleared himself?

Does it mean that Bentley still has to go back to get cleared, but he is confident that the doctor will clear him?

Why the hell wouldn't Mary Kay ask these questions? Maybe it just was shoddy journalism......

But to your point...that is my question...i don't see where he has.

I guess we will find out soon enough.....but yes...a lack of follow-up questions seem to be the case.

Good luck Bent - my prayers are with you buddy... would LOVE for you to make it back! but really I just hope you can stay injured free....