Sidney Crosby worried about Steelers' Ryan Clark

It may be safe to say that no one knows the dangers of multiple concussions like Sidney Crosby. The NHL's most talented player — who is currently couch-bound due to the lockout — has missed more than 100 games in the past two seasons recovering from concussion-like symptoms. That's why, as Crosby has been watching his adopted hometown NFL team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, he's growing concerned for safety Ryan Clark, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Clark has suffered two concussions in the past three weeks, and Crosby knows full well the risk Clark is running by attempting to take the field again so soon. From Josh Yohe's story:

"He's taking a chance," Crosby said. "There are a lot of things that can happen."

Clark was cleared to play Friday and seemed miffed that so many are questioning his decision to play. Crosby believes the pressure of a 16-game schedule is typically why football players are quicker to return from concussions than hockey players.

"The fact that there's only 16 games doesn't help," Crosby said. "You miss one game in 16, that's (essentially) a playoff game that you're missing. There's a lot of pressure on you when you're making that decision. If a guy feels like he can get through it, and he's willing to take the chance, then by all means ... but first of all, you've got your health, And then, can you even perform? Those are decisions you have to make."

Crosby described the varied symptoms of post-concussion syndrome, saying "some guys just get headaches, others; it's their memory." Either way, Crosby is concerned for Ryan Clark as a fellow athlete and Pittsburgh athlete. Clark is wearing some sort of super-tricked-out helmet to be safe, but concussions are nothing to play around with, and no one knows that better than Sid the Kid.