When to amputate?
Trevor Wikre broke his pinkie during football practice. The doctors planned to set the bone, but they warned him that the injury might end his football career, and the healing process would certainly prevent him from finishing his senior year as a Mesa State College offensive lineman. So Wikre opted for a more radical procedure. He told the doctors to amputate his finger.Is Wikre a hero or an idiot? His teammates are treating him like a hero ("No doctor is going to tell him what he can do or can’t do. I have nothing but respect for him." and "It’s awesome. That’s a pretty amazing commitment and sacrifice to go the rest of his life without a pinkie.") Personally, I'd classify him more in the idiot category. Poetic justice would be if the coaches benched him for the rest of the year.
Comments
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
I could see it if sitting out the rest of the season would kill his chances of going pro. The fact that he plays for a no-name school and probably will not be going pro just means he's stupid. Although usually, linemen are not Mensa candidates anyways...
Posted by Ryan in Philly on 10/06 at 08:55 AM
What would happen if he were then invited to have tea with the queen of England? Is it rude to not extend your pinky if you don't have a pinky?
Posted by Matt in Florida on 10/06 at 09:02 AM
..and now he can't perform "the stinger" - poor dude! 
Posted by Oppiejoe in Haslett on 10/06 at 09:09 AM
A number of motorcycle racers have done this as well. They should probably go in the same category.
Posted by kyle on 10/06 at 09:25 AM
He's stupid.
Next question?
Next question?
Posted by Big Gary in Brazos, Texas on 10/06 at 09:28 AM
I'm sure he will plod along until I dunno, he breaks his kneecaps or something.
I don't understand, though. What is the difference between having a broken finger and no finger (in game play)? I would think both would hinder his abilities??
I don't understand, though. What is the difference between having a broken finger and no finger (in game play)? I would think both would hinder his abilities??
Posted by Heidi on 10/06 at 09:39 AM
He should have his head amputated since that seems to get in the way of his decision making abilities.
Posted by Madd Maxx beyond Superdome on 10/06 at 09:46 AM
I'm "pro choice".
His pinkie, his choice! He's a, soon to be, college graduate and if he can't make life decisions at this stage of the game then when?
His pinkie, his choice! He's a, soon to be, college graduate and if he can't make life decisions at this stage of the game then when?
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 10/06 at 09:53 AM
Not saying he shouldn't be allowed to make that decision - just saying it's a stupid one.
Heidi makes an interesting point - isn't there some kind of healing time out required for an amputation? How does it compare with the length of time for healing the break?
Heidi makes an interesting point - isn't there some kind of healing time out required for an amputation? How does it compare with the length of time for healing the break?
Posted by Jules in cube land CT on 10/06 at 09:59 AM
Wikre was more upset because his evening plans with his fiance were ruined.
“I was pissed,” Wikre said. “Trace was going to make chicken and potato salad and we were going to watch Iron Man. I missed out on all of that.”
- I take it back. He is capable of decision making. It was either a night with his honey or the rest of his college football career.
“I was pissed,” Wikre said. “Trace was going to make chicken and potato salad and we were going to watch Iron Man. I missed out on all of that.”
- I take it back. He is capable of decision making. It was either a night with his honey or the rest of his college football career.
Posted by Madd Maxx beyond Superdome on 10/06 at 10:03 AM
there's actually a precedent here, inexplicably: Ronnie Lott.
"[In 1985], after badly fracturing a finger, legendary San Francisco 49ers defensive back (safety) Ronnie Lott was told that the digit would not heal properly unless he missed the playoffs. Lott, being Lott, simply decided to have one third of the finger amputated."
"[In 1985], after badly fracturing a finger, legendary San Francisco 49ers defensive back (safety) Ronnie Lott was told that the digit would not heal properly unless he missed the playoffs. Lott, being Lott, simply decided to have one third of the finger amputated."
Posted by jeff in little rock on 10/06 at 10:24 AM
Still, legendary pro player VS. no name and will probably always remain that way college player
Posted by Jules in cube land CT on 10/06 at 10:29 AM
Did they what hand this was done to? He may never be able to make another "pinky bet".
Posted by Madd Maxx beyond Superdome on 10/06 at 10:56 AM
I'm not saying this guy isn't an idiot but I agree with his decision. Not having a pinkie won't change the quality of his life (except, as Madd Maxx pointed out, for making pinkie promises).
If he'd been a writer, losing a finger would affect his typing but frankly this fella doesn't strike me as able to properly use a semi-colon.
Being on the team for his senior year, even if he's benched, will probably be the high point of his entire life. Not having a pinkie won't affect him in the least.
If he'd been a writer, losing a finger would affect his typing but frankly this fella doesn't strike me as able to properly use a semi-colon.
Being on the team for his senior year, even if he's benched, will probably be the high point of his entire life. Not having a pinkie won't affect him in the least.
Posted by Mark in Cincinnati on 10/06 at 01:28 PM
It's his life. If he wants to be an idiot, it's on him.
Posted by KW in Dallas, TX on 10/06 at 02:21 PM
I can't fault the kid. Maybe it a function of scale and proportion, and if we were talking about a foot, say, or a thumb it might be different. But this kid is going to get far more use out of the honest self-esteem he will earn from this decision, and from the boost to his confidence from being held up by his teammates (who are the most important persons in the world to him right now) as an example of physical and mental toughness, than he would have from a series of surgeries to save his crushed little finger, which have no guarantee of leaving him with a functioning finger.
I say vaya con Dios, Trace.
I say vaya con Dios, Trace.
Posted by jum1801 on 10/06 at 02:34 PM
Another who got by the lifeguard for the gene pool
Posted by Samuel in Arlington Va on 10/06 at 09:16 PM
If it was broken in practice, how bad was it? Wasn't it Steve Deberg that played for 2 months with a pin sticking out of his pinkie, on his throwing hand. Quite possibly the reason the injury would end his football career, is that his football career is going to be over anyway at the end of the season. If you are going to Mesa State College, your chances for going pro are not that high. I am not picking on Mesa State College. I am just reasoning that he did not show the potential to be recruited by more well-known schools.
Posted by rick in nebraska on 10/07 at 07:06 AM
It is a government conspiracy to keep him from counting to ten.
Posted by wildfire in roswell on 10/07 at 07:12 AM
Rick, I'm not disagreeing with you but this guy doesn't seem like he's getting a full ride to Harvard based on SAT scores. Better to go to Mesa State without a pinkie than pump gas with one.
Posted by Mark in Cincinnati on 10/07 at 08:57 AM
Category: Medical, Sports