Details On The A.Q. Shipley Injury
November 28th, 2020
Radio host spoke with A.Q. Shipley.
The way people are reacting to the shocking news earlier this week that Bucs reserve center A.Q. Shipley had to give up the game and retire immediately due to what was originally termed a “stinger” speaks to the notion Shipley must really be a stand-up guy.
Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians almost choked up talking about Shipley. And judging by the reaction of former Colts punter and current national sports talk show host Pat McAfee, and McAfee’s regular guest former Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk, they were really down in the dumps about the news.
McAfee and Shipley are tight. Former teammates in Indianapolis under Arians, McAfee often brings up Shipley when talking about the Bucs. Perhaps the two may go all the way back to their high school days in Pittsburgh? McAfee often jokes about Shipley’s high school. McAfee was the Colts’ emergency QB with Arians, so he took his share of practice snaps from Shipley.
Shipley talked to McAfee the night he was told that his football days were done. McAfee apparently FaceTimed with Shipley and McAfee noted he thought 34-year-old Shipley may have been shedding tears before their conversation.
Understandable when you’ve done something since you were a kid and put in countless hours of work and in a snap of the fingers, you are ordered to retire.
McAfee said he had permission from Shipley to discuss their conversation on the air. He explained details of the injury and the immediate aftermath.
“It was a different A.Q. Shipley,” McAfee said, noting he wasn’t the usual fun-loving guy and there was no fun in his voice or heart this week.
Shipley told McAfee that he was hit when he was off-balance and he momentarily lost feeling in his limbs.
“The doctor was like, ruthless,” McAfee said. “A.Q. was not expecting the news to be like, ‘Hey, you are not going to be able to play anymore.’ … He said it blindsided him a little bit.”
McAfee said he tried to cheer up Shipley.
“I told him, ‘Hey, you shut out Aaron Donald, right? In your last game. You’ve got to feel pretty good. Maybe the best defensive player to ever play on the defensive side.
“He can’t take another shot. Otherwise, it could be a big-time blow, obviously, to his life. … Maybe even potential paralysis.”
The word “paralysis” is something a football player never, ever wants to hear, though they know taking the field brings that chance.
McAfee has more details in the video below. He did acknowledge what Arians said, that Arians offered Shipley a job as an offensive line assistant and Shipley told McAfee he’s going to give that a whirl and see if he likes it.
McAfee said he will have Shipley on his show at the appropriate time. He noted nerves were too raw for Shipley to jump on the air this week.
This is awful news all the way around. Joe guesses the one good thing about this is the warning from doctors to hang up his cleats. Some guys only find out dire consequences when it’s too late.
“AQ Shipley has done all of us proud.” –@PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/jdGCntolFx
— Pat McAfee Show Quotes (@Patmcafeequotes) November 27, 2020
November 28th, 2020 at 12:14 am
Love to AQ Shipley for his career and contributions to Bucs. Stay safe, big guy.
November 28th, 2020 at 12:21 am
Hope everything goes well and can go live the good life now.
November 28th, 2020 at 1:01 am
Good for you A.Q.!!
November 28th, 2020 at 1:53 am
I thought the week he started was the best the o-line looked this season. Ronald Jones balled out that day. I love Marpet so I was surprised hiw good he looked with out him playing.
November 28th, 2020 at 2:13 am
Sadly that’s why it’s known
as
N.ot F.or L.ong
November 28th, 2020 at 3:19 am
Kudos to the Bucs’ medical staff for diagnosing this before he took another hit, thank you A.Q.S. for all your contributions.
Next man up, let’s go Bucs!
November 28th, 2020 at 5:07 am
THANKS A.Q.! LOVE YOU A.Q.! WILL MISS YOU A.Q.! THANKS A.Q.! His time as Bucs player was shortened but, the legendary man was at ONE BUC Place and his kind presents will long out last with all the players he has worked with and taught and helped settle into the NFL brotherhood. And AQ if you read this, I heard you love cooking, and I would love to the chance to cook for you. Can’t wait to see your next chapter of A.Q. Shipley!! #thanksAQ
November 28th, 2020 at 5:29 am
Stenosis of the Cervical Spine. Geez
November 28th, 2020 at 7:38 am
A good luck, A.Q. Very tough way to end a remarkable career, but he’ll do fine as a coach. Just a few games with the Bucs and he earned a lot of respect from the fans. Still a young man, get healthy and be happy.
November 28th, 2020 at 7:53 am
Very sad to see this happen to any player. Wish you well A. Q. You stood up when we needed you and that was some some first rate effort!
November 28th, 2020 at 9:46 am
Good luck and heal young man. Kudos to the medical staff for giving Shipley the blunt facts. Any news on Ali Marpet, Joes? His possible retirement will be tragic, to say the least.
November 28th, 2020 at 9:49 am
Props to BA for making him an assistant so fast. Like he tried to lessen AQ’s pain.
November 28th, 2020 at 11:06 am
Heed the docs advice Ship. You’ve done your thing. Get well and start your new life. Its just a game that has been good to you. New careers, new horizons. Good luck to you sir.
November 28th, 2020 at 11:38 am
You’re a warrior, Ship…. new door has opened as the last one has closed. You’ll be missed on the field. Coach em up!!!
November 28th, 2020 at 11:43 am
Hard to imagine the weight of this. Thank God the medical pros found it before it REALLY hit home.
Wish A.Q. the best. Sounds like he’s good people, glad we can keep him around.
November 28th, 2020 at 7:34 pm
If I hear one more coach say “it’s just a stinger” I’m gonna puke. Leave anything medical to the medical staff and see if you can coach a game.
November 28th, 2020 at 8:11 pm
Thank you a.q.
November 28th, 2020 at 9:29 pm
A.Q.!
Please keep your chin up! You are a warrior.
Miles and miles ahead in front of you. All hugs and loves to you.
Be well. 🤙🏾
November 28th, 2020 at 10:34 pm
No Joe the one good thing about this is he is NOT paralyzed, and will make a recovery. He is 34 and long past his NFL prime. I get that it came suddenly but thank the Lord above that he got the call to stop and will walk away! active word is “WALK” Some day he will be healthy again. Just so glad for him it is not a catastrophe. Some day he will be happy again and that is what is cool.