Health emergency forces DR out of tournament!

Dean undergoes emergency surgery to implant a pacemaker!

file photo from 2005

Norwalk, by Steve England; ESVN - We've heard Dean taunt JT, TB, and others about his atrial fibrillation, heart attack, stint, and high blood pressure before, but it was hard to appreciate these afflictions when Dean was kicking our butts on the court! Even with dead heart muscle...Dean could outlast virtually everyone! Dean's conditioning was paramount in defeating the Dynasty Champion earlier this year.  I also fell to Dean just last week in a tiebreaker!  Dean was poised to make the finals for the second time in tournament history!  Therefore, it is with great sadness that I must report that circumstances beyond Dean's control has taken his best chance to date away!

Some people look to leisure for recreation, Dean looks to hard work for his pleasure!  Dean loves his spin class, and was spinning away Friday morning when he became light headed.  His heart was racing so out of control, that it simply couldn't pump enough blood, and it wasn't slowing down any time soon!  Lesser men would have gone unconscious, but Dean's damaged heart was still so strong that it persevered at 250 beats per minute!  Unfortunately, the electrical condition of Dean's heart mandated the implantation of a pacemaker!  Dean needs to take it easy for awhile, so he will not be able to continue with tournament competition this year.

Dean's departure from the tournament not only effects the battles to reach the finals, but likely changes the dynamics of the final match itself!  It is deeply disappointing that Dean cannot continue on this year, but I think I speak for everyone in the tournament, and at the tower when I say: "We'll see you next year buddy!  We'll miss you while you're gone, but we'll battle again!"