Grieving Arrington Is in a Hurry to Return
By Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 6, 2004; Page D04
Washington Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington is pushing to return for Sunday's game with Baltimore, although the Redskins medical staff does not expect him to be able to play as he recovers from minor surgery on his right knee on Sept. 23.
Arrington was not with the team for its last game in Cleveland, returning home to Pittsburgh for the funeral of his teenage cousin, Joseph Arrington. He said he is dedicating the rest of his season to his cousin, who has been an inspiration to the Pro Bowl player.
"I'm going to tear this league up when I get back," Arrington said when leaving Redskins Park yesterday, echoing a sentiment he said he shared with Joseph Arrington just before he passed away from prostate cancer. Joseph Arrington had the disease diagnosed in 2002, when he was 15, and LaVar Arrington shaved off his dreadlocks during training camp that summer in a show of solidarity for his cousin, who was undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
Arrington is active in many charitable causes, particularly for sick and underprivileged children, and was close with Joseph.
Arrington has missed the past two games after having the meniscus repaired in his right knee, and he was originally scheduled to miss about four weeks. But with the Redskins losing three straight games and facing a daunting opponent, Arrington said he is doing anything possible to get back on the field.
Should Arrington not be able to play against Baltimore, it may be wise for him to miss the following game at Chicago as well, as the Redskins then head into the bye week, allowing another two weeks to heal. But that scenario does not appeal to Arrington at this point.
"In my mind, I'm pushing for this Sunday," Arrington said. "But strategically, from a strategic standpoint, I'm saying I ain't going to be able to play. But my whole frame of thought is, I'm trying to get back as soon as I can. The mind is a powerful thing, so I don't see why I can't pull it off."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar ... 4Oct5.html
It's unfortunate that his cousin passed. Whenever I was able to get LaVar's autograph or say something to him, I always asked about his cousin. He seemed grateful that someone would ask him a considerate question like that. My thoughts and prayers are with Joseph's family.
RIP Joseph
