Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Concussion Battle (Full Segment) | Real Sports w/ Bryant Gumbel | HBO

[@racersedge4962]

"Using lessons learned from his father..." I can listen to that over and over.

[@joshuapittman4663]

Alan Bestwick has to be one of the best Motorsports commentators of all time... hopefully he comes back to NBC in the near future.

[@davidvelox224]

It was a great quote , but did you know Dale sr didn’t show Jr too much really on how to race?

[@ShawnFX]

Dale is seriously one of the best person in this world! Dude cares sooo much about others, if only his dad could be here to witness his son and the impact he has had on so many people.

[@darthkso3745]

He knows

[@flightreactstvlive6477]

he’s up in heaven watching🙏🙏

[@blackie8083]

@MLP Shawn, nicely put!

[@ytsn_THE_OG]

@@darthkso3745 will know** once Junior gets there too

[@KevinJohnson-pt8mg]

That’s not how it works unfortunately. Read the Bible

[@rebelcupcake]

It's always hard to hear when jr said "help me help me hurry up" 9:13

[@GretaVanZeppelin1996]

He spoke the words his father was never able too, if Dale had survived that hit, even in critical condition, I really think they would've saved him.

[@jillsmcfarland2001]

Hurt don't talk they make sounds

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

I think it's a very mature move for him. He's done just about everything there is to do in the sport, and it's simply not worth the risk. And just for me personally, he thought of losing Jr in another incident like his dad is almost too much to bear.

[@almostfm]

I agree. The only thing not on his resume is a Cup championship, and at 43 when he retired, he was unlikely to win one at that point (there have only been three Cup champions older-his father, Lee Petty, and Bobby Allison). Honestly, I was hoping that the 2016 concussion that caused him to miss half the season would have been the point that he said "You know, I really don't need to keep doing this".

[@Shawn6751]

20 damn concussions, those are Chris Benoit numbers. Dale Jr doesn't have access to steroids like Benoit did.

[@johnk815]

I had probably 4 concussions. The last one took 3 years to get over. It was torture and was very lonely. Concussions suck.

[@idunno4891]

I have had two and listening to Jr makes me wonder about certain things 🤔. Perhaps it's something that never goes away 🤔

[@johnk815]

@@idunno4891 I think you’re right. That’s why each time you get a concussion the next one is easier to get and the symptoms are worse.

[@standupstandout9636]

I have so much respect for Kelley & Dale Jr. Kelley has been amazing to Jr. They Love Each Other to the bitter end. #brosisgoals

[@vr6swp]

My dad suffered a very serious head injury in 1962 or 3 (hit by a truck at his work). He recovered, mostly, but the aftereffects lasted the rest of his life. His personality changed, becoming withdrawn and uncommunicative, suffering from insomnia and anger management issues. Just before he passed in 1998 he told my sister that he'd had a huge headache non-stop since the accident, almost 40 years. I had a bad one in 1990 (EMT's said it would have been fatal if I hadn't been wearing a helmet), and have noticed some of the same post-injury behavior patterns in myself. TBI is real, and some people never recover 100%

[@ben.1868]

I think part of the reason Dale Jr was single up until 2016 was because he was afraid of loving someone that only cared about his money. I would too. I bet its tough for most celebrities and professional athletes to make those types of decisions like trusting someone in that way

[@luvthewrld3]

The relationship between Dale Jr and Kelley is so very special!

[@dennisryan5647]

I am a surviver of 2 closed head injurys and 3 accidents three years in a row.I was 22yrs old with the first traumatic concussion (TBI) As a result of them I was forced to retire at 25yrs old.I was devastated.Saw a clinical physicist for 2yrs and 8 months of rehab before that It saved my life.I have short term memory loss,No visual thoughts and actional defused sheering of the brain. I can relate to what he is suffering from And im sure he has some of the same deficits/impairments that I have. Washington state head injury foundation is where you learn what you have after TBI.God Bless you Dale jr your not alone brother.

[@ianmilo9982]

Dale Earnhardt Jr is a great guy. How you can tell that some people are genuinely good human beings by just looking at the way they smile.....

[@donotcare330]

I have Full respect for anyone that walks away from something after a concussion. Its life changing.

[@thebreakfastmenu]

Dale Sr might have been a strict mfer, but look at the kids he raised. The most genuine people. Right up there with Steve Irwin and Bob Ross.

[@zakkwyldesliver]

“200 mph” Not at Bristol, Bubba.

[@standupstandout9636]

I have so much Respect for Junior for doing this. As a parent, husband, and team owner, he has future. My son is a retired Jockey. Concussions are scary. My son misses racing horses, but head injuries make it easier to be reminded those recoveries are as hard if not harder than broken bones. As I read Dale’s book, I saw so much of my sons symptoms, difficulties and riding a 1200 + animal at 50+ mph the next day after a concussion. I think It was impressive Dale was willing to speak up. As my son recovers, I hope he will tell his story because I think it is equally as big to win as it is to tell All Athletes and every day people not to mess with your brain #jrfanforlife

[@rally_chronicles]

Hope your son is doing better.

[@PeaceLoveandMolotovs]

Beautiful piece, thank you HBO.

[@drewsbrewcrew]

Every time I watch the footage from the 2001 Daytona 500, I feel so sorry for Darrell Waltrip. He was so proud to see his brother win the grandaddy of 'em all, moved to tears, and then to find out that the icon of the sport, a man he respected and had competed against, was killed in that wreck. I feel bad for everybody in that situation, too. Such a shame.

[@JuggWalker]

it makes me cry everytime ):

[@inidaknapp9791]

Dale Jr. is a rare breed. An oddity. Those who have reached the upper echelons of their chosen profession, made hundreds of millions, and have a fan base the size of Jr’s rarely are as in touch with the human side and as down to earth as he is. He could be the most selfish person possible. He could walk away from NASCAR entirely, but an island, and live in comfort for the rest of his life. But he loves the fans loves the people around him too much to do that. Genuinely a great human being.

[@a.b.317]

I fell 15’ onto the asphalt on my head. I got a severe concussion. Dr said I was lucky to be alive. The symptoms were overwhelming to say the least. I did all the therapy and exercises to no avail. All I can say about severe concussions is this, from my own personal experience, the brain heals itself. It took about 8 months before all of the symptoms subsided. One day I had a concussion, the next day it was gone.

[@areasevenpro]

As a longtime Earnhardt Sr. fan, this really hit home. Earnhardt Sr. as a driver was a true legend, but whatever he was as a father just makes you feel sorry for Jr., Kelley, and Kerry. It's also tragic that even though Jr. overcame a lot of adversities in his career, Earnhardt Sr.'s death really affected him and motorsport long-term. And it's a damn shame that that gold digger Teresa legally screwed over the kids over their own family name.

[@88fanforlife]

areasevenpro it’s really sad hearing Jr talk about his father. Jr basically spent his whole childhood trying to get his fathers attention and when he finally got it his father was only around for 3 years

[@ytsn_THE_OG]

Well said. The way his career will go down in the history books, is a complete travesty. Easily a top three driver of his generation, if not the best if it weren't for Stewart. But losing his dad and as a rookie at that, Theresa's list of low blows, and All the concussions from accidents and other drivers intentionally wrecking him, derailed it. He'll go down as a legend, and one of the greats, but he won't have a championship in the cup series.

[@cmdrme3se3ks43]

14:33 That's powerful to think about how he was unsure of what the future holds. Glad to see he got help and relieved the problem.

[@jamesweaver5776]

200 mph at Bristol LOL

[@46AFD]

I cringed when that was said

[@ZachMan99]

He also said that he moved from pit road to the broadcast booth...wat... I thought Jr was a driver.

[@robjschaffer8296]

I too cringe when people who don't know anything about NASCAR try to talk about it.

[@User-nu6km]

200mph in a F1 car

[@cotycoon3777]

Worled1oo World1001902

[@garrieleepeck8753]

Beautiful a sister loves her brother so much so much respect to her what a beautiful sister

[@mikebullard3090]

Knew he quit for it, but had no idea how bad. What about Jeff G, Jimmy J, Carl Edwards quit too soon, all of them that have been around awhile must have similar stories as they have all had really violent wrecks.

[@DaytonaPrototypes]

Mike Bullard Tony Stewart is a guy I think about too. He had some big crashes early in his career. Even Kasey Kahne's retirement from dehydration problems makes me wonder how many guys have had some kind of issue and just decided to call it quits.

[@redredmon8833]

Big fan of Nascar and the thought of concussions never even crossed my mind.

[@ytsn_THE_OG]

I remember everybody in Alabama waiting by the TV, to hear the news about Dale Earnhardt. We watched that press conference live. I was just a kid, so the devastation filling the room plus my admiration, hit hard. It feels like so long ago, then I hear the announcement again, and it feels like it was yesterday.

[@softwave1662]

I really love Dale jr. Not for his dad, but for him.

[@ThatTallTexan420]

Thank you, this was beautifully amazing

[@adrianpaulfrancisco8875]

200 mph in bristol? WTF

[@justinhawkins5467]

0:40 Please find me the telemetry data that shows anybody going 200 mph at Bristol...

[@tr1338]

Has Mclaren ever tested there?

[@bicboi1930]

@@DrowsyGamer to be fair they cant be an expert in every topic they cover. They probably ask someone for an answer and have to trust it.

[@KCCgoKartMAN]

@@bicboi1930 yeah but they could also avoid saying outlandish things

[@youknoweverything7643]

I knew there was something for years before retirement. I have talked with him many manyany times in person cause I grew up racing. You could tell way he talked handled himself and how cautious he was the last few seasons racing didn't take any chances and was just there and not driving like he use to it was obvious but didn't know 100 percent for sure. Dale Jr had same injuries and sr. Sr suffered big time with depression and concussions

[@LouisCasas]

The time when he escaped that fiery crash because he said he sensed Dale Sr. lifting him from out of the flames is powerful!

[@moments2photos929]

This is my favorite show in the world by far.

[@watchgoose]

hard to imagine they didn't deal with concussions then, as it was already an issue in the NFL and in regular car wrecks on the highway. Ask Roger Staubach what multiple concussions are like!

[@davidpeters2550]

Or Brett Favre and probably one of the worst cases, Jim Mcmahon.. it also caused him dementia

[@tylers_bowling_pb]

Really miss him and just took a break but came back and watched Johnson leave and now support Elliott, he's so much like jr. I had to support him to

[@MyKittyPercy]

I wish I wasn’t so sensitive and could watch “The Crash” without crying myself to sleep. Junior really has had a complicated life and upbringing. Even Dale Sr. said he was a better man towards the end of his life. I’m glad Jr. was able to have a successful career and retire so he can raise his family.

[@guysmalley]

MyKittyPercy it’s just racing chill a little.

[@jacobmonday9795]

God bless Jr for having the balls to come out and be honest to Amy and his fans.

[@dimetime35c]

I hope things like this help to push the seriousness of concussions. Why we ever made something with the brain just a little bump on the head ill never know!!!!

[@LETSCREATEMINIATURES]

Oh wow I didn’t know dale had only been racing for 2 years before his dad was killed. He really did have to take the reigns at the start of his career. The pressure he must of felt.

[@allencollins6031]

So many things could of crushed this dude and he survived. Respect.

[@MattWeedon]

I had a life-changing concussion in 2003 at the age of 22. It was my 5th, and worse concussion that still requires me to take daily medication.

[@davidpeters2550]

Man, when is NASCAR, going to become proactive and do something about CTE Depression, PTSD, and other mental health issues not just with former drivers, pit crew members, Crew Chiefs?

[@maryfarrell4442]

Much respect!!!!!

[@TimRHillard]

It may sound foolish, but when Sr. died, a little part of me did too. Every time I see junior, a little tiny bit of that piece of me is restored.

[@Wolf21973]

Sent to military school. Sounds like my dad who use to threaten me with that OFTEN but never did it haha

[@ChandlerTingle]

Here before carnation

[@samijosephyahya3388]

Rich, Famous, and Single. Sounds like a good lifestyle

[@D1m3bagd]

runs Bristol in Xfinity but told me on twitter "what happened to racing trucks at martinsville" .... "gwc and overtime"

[@kawai99100]

She's a top-notch interviewer The driver...a great race car driver, but most importantly, he's a cool, loving, man.

[@NovaScotiaNewfie]

What made him become a broadcaster. Not hard to figure out. Why do retired athletes become sports analysts, announcers or coaches?..... They love their sport and want to stay around it or give back.

[@taurusreborn2571]

If he wasn’t pressured to “fill his fathers footsteps” he wouldn’t have tried to race every week. Poor guy is going to have CTE

[@TRIIGGAVELLI]

Honestly never thought about NASCAR and concussions. It's probably worse or just as bad as football.

[@MeBeEric]

Difference between NASCAR and the NFL is that NASCAR won't try to silence people about concussions

[@jraybay]

Yep. Its racing in general really. I've had some wrecks myself, on a smaller scale, and they really hurt lol. I can't imagine what it'd be like to crash at 190+mph, like Dale. Despite the safety in racing, you get battered inside, and I don't think everyone realizes that. NASCAR has done a good job listening to their drivers, performing neurological tests, and making a trip to the infield medical centre mandatory, even if a crash seems small. Concussions are how your brain basically ricochets inside the skull, and twists etc. It doesn't take as much as people think. Good to see awareness brought to it these days

[@AidanMillward]

The attitude was always "You only get a concussion from a smack to the head, how do you get that in a car?" and the emphasis was always on cricket, football, baseball, american football and hockey as well as rugby and boxing where head injuries are high risk or expected. But when you crash, the brain gets wobbled around inside your skull and shrinks and expands quickly in the crash. Took them a while to get it.

[@arbysandtehchief5494]

@@jraybay There only good about it because drivers like Dale Sr. Died, unfortunately. There's alot of blood on NASCAR's hands in the 90s. It was a growing pains process, so I don't fault them for it, it's just a shame is all.

[@happyfamilycanada1129]

Kudos to whomever did Amy's makeup for this. She looks exceptionally stunning here. Lighting too, but wow.

[@sbishopvt4650]

What jr h a s accomplished here from '23 is a real inspiration. Still a 24 fan, sorry 😂

[@sbishopvt4650]

My worst concussion I went blind for 2 hours. That was skiing at 15mph and a 60ft bail I didn't see coming. Helmets always kids...

[@MM-qi5mk]

Kelly is sure a hell of a woman.

[@ydschools9745]

Perhaps that's why Sr was so distant as a father

[@thatguydillan6360]

I know Dale still takes a drive in a racecar every now and then

[@xD12xSiCkNaStY]

I remember watching that Fontana wreck live, you cant hit the wall any harder.

[@jimmie3times]

Ya you can. Just ask his father 😮

[@geoffreytudor5674]

XLNT segment, and best of luck in future yrs. to DEJ.

[@dustinh4175]

I've had one really bad like woke up in the ambulance bad and one that didn't knock me out but almost i saw the white flash and stars and the buzzing noise

[@jacopman]

Need to have someone who knows and understands racing to do these interviews...............most of these media people are clueless about how to morph motorsports into their story line...........

[@vanessapanek9959]

Anyone of those women that are married to these guys will tell you that when they see them crash, their heart skips a beat

[@earlwedlake7817]

I think he would be ok to drive now with the safety they have now. There's only been one bad injury in the last few years with Ryan Newman and that was an accident that doesn't ever happen.

[@Shinuchiha_99]

200mph at Bristol speedway 😂😂😂

[@kevinodom2918]

Damn. His wife’s almost to fine to look at.

[@petersonoliveira8496]

Boa noite congrats Dale Jr carro ex- Nascar xfinity séries vai casar mulher e bebê 🏠✨💪🏿🙏🏿🇺🇸 🚗👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿 campeão 🏆🏅 bom

[@jmoneill3]

The broadcasting is probably the best thing for his injury. Instead of sitting around being retired, he’s constantly stimulating his mind.

[@sametozkan9175]

He should bring Zlatan to the his own podcast.

[@mistyessinger]

🙏💚👑

[@johnsamora6576]

Welcome to the club

[@perriello66]

I still don't know how he survived that california wreck

[@wrldchamps04]

The tire test crash at Kansas 2012, (not mentioned in this piece) was probably worse...no video has ever surfaced.

[@babba632]

@@wrldchamps04 wait there's no footage?

[@wrldchamps04]

@@babba632 from the Kansas tire test crash? I've never seen it

[@almostfm]

One measure of how bad it was-if you look closely, it bent the top of the dashboard. All the tubing of the roll cage got pushed in by that impact.

[@wilhelmvg9978]

HANS device made it so he survived easily.

[@vanessapanek9959]

Check out Lil Dale in his uniform😂

[@Wolf21973]

Bet after that first concussion he probably went home and slept without thinking much of it.

[@benallen2196]

I wouldn't say the "prime" of his career

[@robertgriffin5703]

He was literally finding himself as a Hendrick motor sports driver

[@aaronweafer9967]

I mean 2014 and and especially 2015 he was a cup contender

[@youknoweverything7643]

Him winning that Daytona race after his death was cool but the cars behind him let him cause he could have been passed easily off four

[@christophersmith8486]

Bryant Gumble is dat boi

[@mikeyoungblood1642]

People need to stop holding Dale Sr on a pedestal when it comes to his absentee fatherhood. He was not a great father to his 3 oldest kids. And he had regrets about that if you ask anyone who was close to him

[@dustinh4175]

If you throw up thats a sign you got one.

[@heavenstomurgatroyd7033]

How could they possibly tell he had a concussion?

[@rally_chronicles]

People pick up that's there's something off with you. I had one and hid it well but some people could tell there was something off with me. Thinking is hard and it's like walking through deep mud.

[@Stuffyoucantunwatch]

And the COT and ESPN destroyed all the popularity that NASCAR gained.

[@danthecarguy5494]

I wonder if dale Jr ever drives his nascar he did his final race after the racing team let him have it when he retired like around his property or rents a track and drives it I mean he has enough money to up keep the car obviously just because he talks about how he wishes he was still driving.

[@hankclingingsmith8707]

Dale Sr. Did not want to put. Any effort into being a father. I had the same.

[@vanessapanek9959]

Dale what party did you sneak off with to with your daddy‘s car to go to military school?😂

[@theoneandonlyaj88]

Wasn’t it the Michigan crash that ruined his career

[@andrewramthun7179]

I would much rather say it was the imsa crash at Sonoma in 2004 because he was knocked unconscious and the car was on fire, also that moment I believe truely broke him in the sense that her lost the championship due to that crash and then when his teams got switched at dei he didn't have the same pace, and I think the combo of those two is what led to his downfall

[@DerrickRG]

@@andrewramthun7179 He was actually statistically better after his Corvette crash....

[@andrewramthun7179]

@@DerrickRG you are right he was statistically better but only until the end of the season, Dale has previously said that the Corvette crash was his scariest and when he looked back at it, he realized how lucky he was to be alive and that the crash changed his perspective on racing

[@j0hnnykn0xv1lle]

God damn is Amy beautiful. Good lord.

[@ecampbell5837]

First time she googled it was later that night 🙄 Obvious.

[@vanessapanek9959]

Alcoholism, Dale😂

[@rogue_8370]

Whata mean said fairly little he wrote a book and has done interviews with others before you. Wow.

[@jesuschristislord6790]

She don't worry about CTE because she will have divorced him and taken half his money before that happens.

[@stevetaylor1520]

She does kind of strike me as a gold digger.

[@rolltide9547]

Almost 200 at Bristol how clueless is HBO.

[@mjgasiecki]

Dale is way to likable…nobody can be that nice of a guy lol…

[@MichaelWayne87]

Amy doesn't worry about Dale and possibly CTE in the future because the thought of that 400 million helps her sleep just fine.

[@Def_Solo83]

Michael Wayne That's a pretty shallow thing to say.

[@MichaelWayne87]

@@Def_Solo83 you are 1000 % correct good sir.

[@ZachMan99]

@@MichaelWayne87 Shallow, but most likely the truth.

[@mrvn52]

The world is full of Gold Digging Whores and she's wearing the uniform.

[@DiegoRuiz1991]

@@Def_Solo83 It's probably true tho... Like even my mom, who has like $200k if my dad dies, is like "It'd be bad but we'd have something nice".

[@IntellectuallyEliteMedia]

Joe Rogan's podcast is better

[@peterpetruzzi]

200 kph maybe lol

[@vanessapanek9959]

Check that out they got a little girl now

[@luisrosales9349]

Yup. He has CTE.

[@shaynestockhoff8703]

Hes scared

[@alpcengiz7442]

I think her wife doesnt care about him and doesnt love him as well

[@TheEgg185]

The Egg was here.

[@michaelfreeland2791]

Amy is easy on my eyes. Wow