In a matter of only two years, spinal stenosis ripped Quincy Enunwa’s promising career with the Jets away from him. Unfortunately, he is not the first high-profile New York athlete whose career was hampered by the condition.
Former Mets third baseman David Wright was well on his way to what could have been a Hall of Fame career before spinal stenosis brought an abrupt end to his career. By age 30, he had already been to seven MLB All-Star games and was a two-time Gold Glove award winner and two-time Silver Slugger honoree. He still had plenty of good baseball left in the tank, but Wright ran out of gas quicker than he ever could have expected, as his debilitating back injury forced him into early retirement in 2018.
According to the Mayo Clinic, spinal stenosis results in “narrowing of the spaces within your spine, which can put pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine.” Symptoms of cervical spinal stenosis include “numbness or tingling in a hand, arm, foot or leg, weakness in a hand, foot, arm or leg, problems with walking and balance, and neck pain.” Lumbar spinal stenosis results in back pain, as well as “numbing or tingling in a foot or leg and weakness in a foot or leg.”
The source of Enunwa’s discomfort came from his neck (cervical spinal stenosis), while Wright endured lower back pain (lumbar spinal stenosis). Considering the symptoms of both forms of spinal stenosis and the role that wear and tear on the body play in its severity, it should come as no surprise that Enunwa and Wright were both impeded by the condition in their efforts to return to action.
There is still a chance Enunwa makes a comeback after being released by the Jets. He is still only 28 and has yet to show any indication that he is seriously considering retirement. However, it’s hard to see him returning to the field anytime soon. Spinal stenosis brought an end to Wright’s career in a much less violent sport. Enunwa takes direct hits to his back on a daily basis as a wide receiver.
Even if Enunwa does return to football, it will be difficult for him to return to being the player he once was. The Nebraska product made his name with the Jets playing a tough, physical brand of football. Because of spinal stenosis, he cannot afford to play that way going forward. The symptoms of the condition don’t help his chances of changing his style of play, either.
It remains to be seen if Enunwa will ever return to the gridiron, but either way, his time with the Jets is up because of a condition he had no control over. That has to be tough for an athlete who was at the top of his game to come to terms with.