Oakland Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey hasn't had many conversations with doctors about the concussion he sustained in Week 3. He doesn't want to know about it.
Heyward-Bey told NFL Network's Andrea Kremer that he was knocked out cold with his eyes rolled in the back of his head. He doesn't remember the hit and didn't feel like himself until five days later, and he still was foggy.
Heyward-Bey has specifically avoided any education on his concussion, the long-term ramifications and if he's now more likely to suffer another.
"I don't want it to affect me on the field," Heyward-Bey said. "It's all about the next game. When I'm 50, I'll worry about that when I'm there.
"Fear, I don't think I can have fear going into a game."
That's a common mentality throughout the NFL. Play today and deal with ramifications later.
And that's why rules geared toward player safety are paramount. Players are going to have that mentality with small career windows. There's a short opportunity to set yourself up for life. Players are going to take that risk. Rules that legislate hits to the head and the steps to return from a concussion protect players from themselves in an inherently violent game.
Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.