Jason Heyward: Concussion Made Him 'Believer' on How Scary Head Injuries Are

The Chicago Cubs activated Jason Heyward from the seven-day disabled list Friday after he recovered from a concussion, and the 28-year-old outfielder explained how the injury made him a "believer" in how worrisome head injuries can be, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com.

"It made a believer out of me," Heyward said prior to Friday's contest against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. "Not that I wasn't a believer before. You feel for anyone that goes through it. That stuff is scary. You don't feel like yourself, and you don't see anything wrong with you physically, but there is something that's not right."

He suffered the injury, his first career concussion, during a May 6 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals when he attempted to rob Dexter Fowler's game-winning home run.

While he was eligible to come off the disabled list Monday, he explained he didn't have the energy to do so and praised the Cubs for going "above and beyond" to ensure he was healthy.

Much of the discussion about concussions in sports centers on football, with a number of lawsuits filed over concerns of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, and its possible link to the game. 

Heyward, while recognizing the dangers that come with head injuries, noted he won't change his style of play that has won him five Gold Gloves and made him one of the best defensive outfielders in the sport. Manager Joe Maddon also noted the Cubs won't request that of him. 

He rejoined a Cubs team that has struggled of late, going just 1-3 in the last four prior to Friday's game in Cincinnati. Chicago could use Heyward's defense considering it was 27th in total errors (31) entering the four-game set against the Reds.