During player introductions in yesterday's Seattle Seahawks vs. Jacksonville Jaguars football game, Seattle Seahawks' fullback Owen Schmitt repeatedly struck himself in the forehead with his helmet, causing blood to gush down his face and onto his uniform. Schmitt wasn't even ready until the second play from scrimmage because the trainers had to fix up the gash on his forehead and clean up his uniform before he would be allowed on the field. Apparently, Schmitt has a history of such self-inflicted head wounds. While playing at West Virginia University, Schmitt was caught on film on the sidelines smashing his head with his helmet after a play. Maybe he was just feeling kind of sentimental (emphasis on mental) when he decided to relive the excitement of his college days by braining himself before Sunday's game.
Seahawks' head coach Jim Mora was concerned about Schmitt's actions because he was the only active fullback on the roster. Said Jim Mora about the incident: "I said, 'Hey pal, if you get hurt, we don't have anybody else. That's just his enthusiasm. He came over and apologized. I told him, 'Use your head.'" Ba-dum-bum! This Schmitt sounds like the kind of player who meets his challenges head on! He's got a real head for the game! Heck, he really gets his head into the game! He is head and shoulders above the rest! Um...okay. I'm okay now.
Anyway, Schmitt's teammates were all abuzz about how his actions fired them up. Seahawks' wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh remarked, "It gets you to the point like, 'Wow, this man here is ready to play.' You can't let a guy like that down when he's busting his forehead open. That's going to be a scar for life. And it's one game." The Seahawks did crush the Jaguars 41-0, so I guess that this intentional bloodletting did have its desired effect.
In fact, so positive was the reaction of the team, that Schmitt plans to top himself next week. What is it? Well, not to give it all away, but let's just say it involves some thumscrews and a pair of forceps. Stay tuned, kids!
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