Jerome Harrison was traded by the Detroit Lions on October 18, 2011 to the Philadelphia Eagles for Ronnie Brown. The trade was essentially a trade for backup running backs and not that important in the outcome of NFL season. While the trade may not have been important in the terms of the NFL, it turned out to be the most important day in Jerome Harrison’s life. October 18, 2011 will be a day that Harrison never forgets because it is the day that his life was potentially saved.
After a trade in the NFL, all of the players involved have to undergo extensive physicals to make sure that they have no hidden injuries. Jerome Harrison was in perfect health and eager to play for his new team, except that he had a brain tumor. The discovery of the tumor negated the trade between the Eagles and Lions and ultimately ended the season for Harrison. The doctors have said that the tumor was in the early stages and should be able to be removed with no complications. Harrison should be back to normal after the surgery and should be able to return to football. Had Harrison never been traded, the tumor would not have been discovered and could have potentially ended his life.
A NFL trade that never happened should serve has a reminder to everyone in the country, the importance of going to the doctor. Millions of men and women hate going to the doctor for routine visits and refuse to get check until they feel terrible. Jerome Harrison is the perfect example of the importance of routine doctor visits. It is entirely possible to feel great and still have something that could potentially end your life. October 18, 2011 forever changed the life of Jerome Harrison, and hopefully the news changes the lives of a few other people in the world.