‘Father Time Ain’t On My Side, That’s the Truth’

SI Staff | Oct 24, 2013

‘Father Time Ain’t On My Side, That’s the Truth’

Over 11 seasons in the NFL, Fred McCrary had surgeries on his ankle, shoulder and knee and broke five bones, plus his nose multiple times. He says he had “hundreds” of what would be characterized as concussions today, and he’s feeling the effects. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Over 11 seasons in the NFL, Fred McCrary had surgeries on his ankle, shoulder and knee and broke five bones, plus his nose multiple times. He says he had “hundreds” of what would be characterized as concussions today, and he’s feeling the effects. (Street

Before they knocked heads in practice as Chargers teammates, McCrary and Junior Seau met up during McCrary’s rookie season with the Eagles in 1995. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Before they knocked heads in practice as Chargers teammates, McCrary and Junior Seau met up during McCrary’s rookie season with the Eagles in 1995. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

LaDainian Tomlinson was one of the many tailbacks who were grateful to have McCrary clearing a path for them. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

LaDainian Tomlinson was one of the many tailbacks who were grateful to have McCrary clearing a path for them. (Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Avoiding contact was hardly McCrary’s style, though he seemed to do so as a Patriot on this play in a 2003 game. (Damian Strohmeyer/Sports Illustrated)

Avoiding contact was hardly McCrary’s style, though he seemed to do so as a Patriot on this play in a 2003 game. (Damian Strohmeyer/Sports Illustrated)

Atlanta was the fifth of six NFL teams for which McCrary played.

Atlanta was the fifth of six NFL teams for which McCrary played

McCrary had just 25 rushing attempts in his entire career but was an effective pass-catcher out of the backfield. (Jesse Beals/Icon SMI)

McCrary had just 25 rushing attempts in his entire career but was an effective pass-catcher out of the backfield. (Jesse Beals/Icon SMI)

Golf occupies much of McCrary's free time on the links; here he shares a laugh with Bo Jackson during practice for the Chik-fil-a Bowl Challenge last April. (Paul Abell/CFA-pr)

Golf occupies much of McCrary's free time on the links; here he shares a laugh with Bo Jackson during practice for the Chik-fil-a Bowl Challenge last April. (Paul Abell/CFA-pr)

The mementos of his career are displayed with pride, but McCrary wonders where he will be physically and mentally a decade or two down the road. (Pouya Dianat for Sports Illustrated)

The mementos of his career are displayed with pride, but McCrary wonders where he will be physically and mentally a decade or two down the road. (Pouya Dianat for Sports Illustrated)