Bills GM Doug Whaley Clarifies Comments About Violence, Injuries in Football

Buffalo Bills general manager Doug Whaley backtracked on his inflammatory comments from Tuesday, rephrasing his thoughts regarding injuries and violence in football.

ESPN.com's Mike Rodak reported on the statement Whaley released Wednesday, which read as follows:

"

Clearly I used a poor choice of words in my comment yesterday morning. As a former player who has the utmost respect and love for the game, the point that I was trying to make is that football is a physical game and injuries are a part of it.

[...] Playing football no doubt is very physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging, and that is all part of what makes the game so compelling to play and watch. The game has more protection for players now than ever, thanks largely to the safety advancements and numerous rule changes made by our league and promoted to all levels of football. I believe our game continues to have a bright future and I hope that this statement provides clarity as to the intent of my earlier comment.

"

Whaley's initial remarks while addressing the latest injury situation surrounding star Bills receiver Sammy Watkins caused controversy.  

In a radio interview with WGR 550 in Buffalo on Tuesday, Whaley said, per Rodak, "This is the game of football. Injuries are part of it. It's a violent game that I personally don't think humans are supposed to play."

Player safety continues to be a hot-button issue in football, and Whaley's comments were timely in light of an ESPN Outside the Lines report from Tuesday. The report revealed the NFL reneged on a promise to fund $16 million in research to study the link between brain disease and football.

One could perceive Whaley's remark about the violent nature of football as stemming in part from frustration with Watkins' injury-riddled career thus far. The 22-year-old dealt with hip, knee and calf injuries this past season, per SI.com.

Buffalo sacrificed two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick to trade up and select Watkins No. 4 overall in the 2014 NFL draft.

Although Watkins had 1,047 yards receiving in 13 games last season, his status is in question again after he had offseason surgery to repair a broken foot. The good news is the Bills expect Watkins to be on the field for Week 1's road game against the Baltimore Ravens, per Rodak.

The Bills' 2016 first-round pick, Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson, is recovering from shoulder surgery, leaving Whaley's latest prize draft asset as another precarious commodity entering the 2016 campaign.