Oct 19 2008
One digit short in the digital age.
Those of you paying attention to football have probably heard of Trevor Wikre. Please wait patiently while I fill in those who haven’t yet.
Wikre, 21, plays right guard for Mesa State and broke his pinky finger during practice earlier this month (amazingly, it took him awhile to notice, but that’s another story for another goat). The doctor was ready to schedule a procedure during which pins would be inserted into the finger; the healing process would take about six weeks. Instead of opting for surgery that would take him out for the rest of the season, Wikre told the doctor to amputate.
Most bloggers and sports writers are shocked that he would make such a great sacrifice to play ball at a little-known college with only a small chance of being drafted into the NFL. Whatever; it’s his finger, and he can do what he wants. Personally I’d like to know why I didn’t hear about this until last week; I suppose it was making headlines again because it was his first game back with his beloved team (read no sarcasm from me there; he obviously loves the game with a fervor).
I can tell you that my goat brayed with panic and threw up in its mouth a little when we heard this story, but it has been known for being judgmental at times. I’m curious about what other people think about this young man’s choice. I’ll admit I’ve grown quite attached (awww) to my digits in the 23 years I’ve had them, and I’ve yet to encounter anything other than the continuation of my own existence that would make me willing to part with any of them. So in some ways I admire that Wikre loves something enough to cast off a minor body part to continue with it.
What do you think? What is worth just one fewer pesky pinky finger? Does this count as an elective surgery? If so, is it fair that he can opt to cut off a finger for a sport when I can’t get LASIK to correct my legal blindness? Does this circumstance change your view of other elective procedures like cosmetic surgery?
