Ravens Pro Bowl cornerback Samari Rolle has epilepsy, ending monthsof secrecy and speculation Wednesday about his previously undisclosed illness.
Rolle said on Wednesday that he was gripped by fear in late September as he drove to the Ravens? Owings Mills facility for practice and lost control of the body that he has spent years fine-tuning. The 31-year-old was in the middle of the first of a string of seizures.
“The first one was the scariest one because half my tongue was off,” Rolle said. “It was very scary.”
Since being diagnosed, Rolle asked the team to not name his illness for months, citing the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protects his privacy.
“I heard all kind of rumors about what I have, and it’s just been hard on my wife and my family,” Rolle, who is no longer driving a car, said. “I’m just happy to be back playing.”
Rolle struggled to find the right medication for the epilepsy, but finally feels comfortable with the treatment.
“It’s under control now. Right now I’m not scared,” Rolle said. “It happened right before the Arizona game, the first two seizures. I didn’t know if I could play, if I would be all right or anything. And then I got on the medicine and I played St. Louis and Buffalo and I felt fine. But emotionally I practiced for Pittsburgh, and that Friday morning I had another seizure. And I was like, Man, what’s the problem?? ”
After missing six games, including the team?s last three contests, Rolle hopes to play this Sunday against the San Diego Chargers.
“Most people ask me, ?Why are you coming back, you’re 4-6?? ,” Rolle said, citing the team’s record. “These are my teammates and I love playing. It’s time to come back. I can play, I can continue to play, and I can do so as long as I’m healthy.
Coach Brian Billick said he admired how Rolle persevered through the trials of the illness.
“Emotionally it takes a lot out of you,” Billick said. “He was out there today and looked good, smiling and ready to go.”
Teammates said it was difficult to watch Rolle struggle with the illness.
“As a player and a friend, playing with Samari for basically all my career, to see him go through that was hard,” said receiver Derrick Mason, who played for the Tennessee Titans with Rolle.
Notes: The Ravens placed defensive end Trevor Pryce on the injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle.
