Daniel Fells: Battle With MRSA
By Eric Mollo
From big hits and acrobatic catches, to triumphant wins and crushing losses, watching football can be an intensely emotional experience. Actually though. Fans develop a deep attachment to teams and their players, and when you watch your favorite teams win or lose, you really start to feel for them.
Excuse me for getting all weird here… but there’s an important point to what I’m saying. We really get attached to these players for the way they play the game. But it’s easy to forget, and important to be mindful of, those players are people too. I do it all the time, and sometimes, I forget that they’re vulnerable people just like me. This is demonstrated in the most recent news about the Giants’ Daniel Fells.
Anointed the team’s number one tight end in September, Fells’ football career is likely over after undergoing a series of surgeries—five to this point—to battle methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Hospitalized since October 2nd, more surgeries are expected for Fells.
The antibiotic resistant staph infection can be life-threatening. In Fells’ case, it seems he’s contracted a case of MRSA that’s been pretty difficult to combat. One report emerged that doctors were possibly going to amputate part of Fells’ foot after the infection penetrated a bone in his leg. Fortunately, reports now seem to indicate his foot is fully intact, and he’s making progress to return to full health. But the situation is still dire, and Fells is fighting a tough battle back to resume a normal way of living again.
Sep 3, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New York Giants kicker Chris Boswell (6) celebrates a field goal against the New England Patriots with tight end Daniel Fells (85) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Signed as an undrafted free agent of the Falcons back in 2006, the 32-year-old Fells has played seven NFL seasons, his last two with the Giants. But playing football is hardly on the mind of Fells and his family as he fights the infection.
On Sunday, the Giants were emotional. They ripped off their third straight win, surging back into first place—they’ve become relevant again. And for players like Odell Beckham, who’s carried heaps of criticism the last few weeks, Sundays win was pretty significant. But it was the moment after the game that was most touching: the team dedicated the game ball to Fells.
It was a nice moment for Fells’ teammates and even for the fans that watched online—one of those moments both fans and players can both enjoy from opposite ends of the story.
It’s not to say that things are all daisies from here. Fells’ rehab is intense, and good news could shift to bad pretty quickly. But for now, teammates and fans can only pray and keep Fells in their thoughts, hoping for a full, safe, and quick recovery.
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