The theme of this weeks ESPN The Magazine is about the danger athletes face. The cover features a tasteful photo of bullfighter Julio Aparicios neck pierced by a bulls horn, with the tip of the horn protruding from the Spaniards mouth.
Packers wide receiver Donald Driver talks to the magazine about running the deep cross, described as footballs most perilous play.
Driver estimates about 500 of his 700 catches have come over the middle.
Im vulnerable as soon as I make my break, Driver says. I cant look at the linebackers or safeties. I have to keep my eyes on the quarterback. When I turn into the middle of the field, the first thing I think is that I hope nobody knocks my head off. If the defense is in man-to-man, I usually dont take big hits. If its zone, Im going to get the ball in the window behind the linebackers and in front of the safeties. Thats the dangerous window. Thats where the safeties come flying down to crush me. I have to focus on the ball, then brace for the hit.
Driver recalls a Monday Night Football game against the Baltimore Ravens when he caught a deep cross from Brett Favre in front of safety Ed Reed.
As soon as I did, Ed Reed ran through me as if I was a dummy machine, Driver says. Ed looked at me and yelled, I tried to kill you! I tried to knock your head off! And it hurt.