Rick Ankiel Not Seriously Injured After Frightening Crash Into Outfield Wall

The St. Louis Cardinals’ Rick Ankiel has made quite an impressive from starting pitcher to center fielder in the last few years, and has earned the starting job in the process. He has also made a couple of dazzling, all-out catches in the outfield that have been rewarded by ESPN with “Web Gem” status. Monday night was the same in terms of making the catch, but the result was far different. Ankiel made a running catch then crashed violently into the outfield wall, hitting his head and neck awkwardly and apparently getting knocked out instantly. He was carried off on a cart, but gave fans the thumbs up on the way out.

And now, CBS Sports is reporting that Ankiel has been released from the hospital and will be back in the clubhouse for the Cardinals Wednesday. Examinations from doctors revealed no fractures or structural damage to his head and neck area, an enormous sigh of relief for everyone. The crash that caused our concern can be seen here:

Police Officer Detains Ryan Moats While His Mother-in-law Dies In Hospital

And police officers wonder why they have to deal with so much disrespect from offenders. They treat everyone they pull over like they are dangerous, violent criminals, and it shows in this shocking (not really) video of the officer, Robert Powell of the Dallas Police Department. Powell seems to be oblivious to the fact that he just chased Texans runningback Ryan Moats into a hospital parking lot. At the very least, how does a bulb not go off in his head to indicate his wife is in labor?  He showed a lack of common sense there.  I understand he’s required to enforce the law, but he’s also allowed to use some discretion and compassion. Is it really a big deal to just wait for Moats to come out of the hospital to talk to him?

He continues to deride Moats for his driving, repeatedly referencing the red light he ran. He looked for outstanding warrants, wrote a ticket and even drew his gun while Moats stood there, beside himself. He told Moats, “I can screw you over…I can make your life very difficult.”

Isn’t that what he was doing at just that moment? The 25-year-old Powell let Moats’ wife’s mother die in the hospital while Moats stood there and cooperated. And even after Moats began cooperating, Powell continued to admonish him for his attitude. I mean, we all know how much more important a routine traffic stop is than being with your wife at her mother’s death bed.  And Moats had no reason to be upset with him, right?  *Rolls eyes*

(Click here for Part Two.)

The problem is, incidents like this probably happen all the time to regular people. It took this being done to an NFL player for it to be noticed. Powell was placed on administrative leave for his unreasonably inconsiderate behavior in detaining Moats in the parking lot and this is just another case of police officers demanding way too much respect from detainees. If they didn’t treat everyone like they thought they were above the law, maybe they’d get the respect they deserve.

Moats didn’t think he was above the law here; he simply wanted to get to his mother-in-law’s death bed on time. He would have accepted whatever happened afterward like any normal citizen. That would have been an okay price to pay to be with your wife in one of the toughest moments of her life. But instead he missed being by his her side. Powell could lose his job over this incident.

Good work, Officer Powell! Way to do your job. I’m sure it was worth the power trip.
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What Other Bloggers are Saying About This Story:

• Bleeding Green Nation: “The experience sounds like an absolute nightmare.”
• TalkLeft: “Too little, too late for Moats and his wife.”
• Too Old for Maxim, Too Young for Esquire: “The police are no different than any other gang, except they have guns and badges…”