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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > October > 14 > Entry
‘Chickster’ surfaces on Injury List
LUDWIG DISCOVERS A
CRUEL FACT: THERE
ARE NO SHORTCUTS
IN A REPORTER’S LIFE
CHICK DOES A ‘HEADER’
FROM STADIUM TO HOTEL
The good news: I’m still alive.
I can still type (barely). I can still hold a coffee cup (in my left hand only). And I can still drive a car (172 trips to The ‘Nati per year).
The bad news: The base of my right hand looks as if it got chewed by a Doberman Pinscher. The outside of my left hand is scraped up, but healing nicely. But my left knee looks as if it just got whacked by one of Tonya Harding’s handlers.
And I definitely need a new pair of khaki pants.
Such is the life of a Cincinnati Bengals beat writer looking for a shortcut from Giants Stadium at The Meadowlands to the Sheraton hotel.
I never ever ever ever ever leave a press box before I’m finished writing. But Sunday night (Oct. 12) I did, and I paid the price.
I had just filed my game story when I decided to hoof it back to the hotel with The Enquirer’s columnist Paul Daugherty. Normally, it’s a half-hour walk tops if you go the safe way. But a short-cut saves 10 minutes. Of course, we took the short cut.
We negotiated the debris-strewn parking lot, crossed the street, walked across a bridge (against traffic) … then came to a very steep embankment … at a direct angle to the hotel.
“Doc” had a backpack. He showed great balance going downhill. Made it without any sweat.
Me? Forget it. I had my laptop strapped on my right shoulder. I had my notebook, folders and quote sheets in my left hand.
As I start down the hill, I’m feeling good. I’m using short, choppy steps, and I’m staying upright. As I reach the bottom, I try to stop … by my momentum won’t let me. I go sprawling into dirt and gravel, and my papers go flying.
“You OK?” Doc asks.
“I’m fine,” I said.
Walking the final 50 yards to the hotel, I start feeling a stinging sensation in both hands and left knee. I see blood. I try to ignore it, but can’t.
When I reach my room, No. 825, I assess the damage. It ain’t pretty. I use soap and water to clean the carnage.
Then I sit my a— down at the desk, and continue banging away on my sidebar and notebook for the Dayton Daily News.
I got the panoramic view I wanted — from Manhattan to East Rutherford, N.J, But I land on the “Bengals Scribes” Injury List.
I’m probable for the Pittsburgh Steelers game on Oct. 19.
But I’m not feeling real warm and fuzzy right now.
Fans get to turn the channel on Sunday afternoons in the fall — cut grass, rake leaves, wash cars and chill on the couch with a brisky.
I’m not that fortunate.
As the late Enquirer sports writer Bill Ford once told me … as he beat on his typewriter on deadline … “I’ve gotta write this crap. I’m glad I don’t have to read it!”
Of course, I decided to blog about it and share my story with loyal LUDWIG AT LARGE readers. And, of course, I thought of a song to complement my latest adventure.
Boy George and Culture Club’s “I’ll tumble for ya.”
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Derrick
October 14, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
Chickster, I’m truely glad to read that you survived your tumble. Hopefully you recuperate quickly and completely. Keep up the great job. I really enjoy reading your work.By Hudepohl Dey
October 14, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
WOW, Chick’s walk home was more action-packed than the Bengals offense for an entire game…. Glad to hear you’ve already been upgraded to probable, we need you in the booth dude. Keep Rockin and keep with the “Hot Chick Action.” (BTW Chickster, remember this: just like a RB, when you’re down-hill running, keep a low center of gravity, no stutter steps, just straight-ahead north-south running in the trenches buddy)By psychostats
October 14, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
I second all that. And THANK GOD you can still hold a coffee cup! It really would have been a debilitating injury otherwise. … Seriously—I hope you get better soon.By Brian
October 14, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
I’m surprised that Daugherty didn’t criticize you for injuring yourself while covering the team when you could have been playing golf instead…By John
October 14, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
Was there an instant replay? Daugherty was probably offsides! Glad you seem to be OK. Interesting reading to help forget the Bengal misery for a minute.By Johnny
October 14, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
Chick glad you are alright but please don’t post Culture Club videos. Next time consider using Tumbling Dice by the Rolling Stones.By Johnny
October 14, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
Or even Falling Down A Mountain by INXSBy Johnny
October 14, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
Or even Falling Down A Mountain by INXS also known as Kiss The Dirt trust me