Pollack's personality shines through

Bengals linebacker David Pollack, placed on the season-ending injured reserve list after suffering a broken neck Sept. 17 in the Browns game, made a visit today to Paul Brown Stadium.

I had the opportunity last month to follow Pollack around Children's Hospital during a visit with patients. I had heard so much about Pollack's pleasant personality, the sense of humor, the bright eyes, but I had never really seen it. Until that day at the hospital. I saw the same spark while talking with him today.

Here's a kid, all of 24 years old, who had been planning and preparing his whole life to play in the NFL and who's future hinges on a doctor's advice Dec. 13 at a checkup. But unlike the rookie, first-round draft pick of 2005 who was guarded with the media and distrustful and, frankly, came across as arrogant, the Pollack of this season -- even before the injury -- has been the person people who know him privately have raved about.

He is funny, quick-witted and an excellent conversationalist. He doesn't feel the least bit sorry for himself. He's sincere. He loves and adores his wife, Lindsey. His faith is real and definitely something that he's leaning on more than ever. In many ways, he has been an inspiration in his time of personal trial more than he was as a football player.

There is a lot of talk about character in football. Pollack definitely has revealed a great amount of sterling character in the past couple of months.

A story has been posted on the Enquirer's Web site about Pollack from the interview today.