Wounding the Wound

Willie Anderson is the Cincinnati Bengal's right tackle on the offensive line. A team leader affectionately known as "Big Willie" because of his 19-EEE shoe size, Anderson has played in 112 consecutive football games despite shoulder and knee injuries.

With the help of "Team Anderson"-- a treatment group of doctors, massage therapists, and chiropractors that Anderson flies in each week during the season-- Anderson has reached #6 on the Bengal's list of consecutive games played.

But that streak, started in 1999, could end on September 10, opening day of the 2007-2008 season, if Anderson's nagging foot injury doesn't heal soon.

The injury occurred in December, late last season. Eight months later, the foot still isn't right. Since time hasn't helped Anderson's foot get better, doctors decided to do something unusual.

They wounded the wound.

According to Anderson, the doctors, "basically injure the area around the injury to get it to heal back."

The odd treatment is a desperate move.

Says Anderson, "this procedure either works, or bad news comes out."

In this story I think is a lesson for us: When people or organizations face problems that time isn't healing, you may have to wound the wound in order to finally heal it.

Confronting an employee over a lingering problem. Talking openly about a family issue that's been ignored. Being honest with a friend about some destructive behavior.

Wounding the wound is a risky move. It may or may not work. But sometimes, you just have to try it.

It's been a few days since Anderson's unusual procedure. His foot is now out of a protective boot, which is good news, but he's still limping around.

Eventually, Bengal fans will know if wounding the wound worked.