Former TE Finley says Gronk shouldn't play in Super Bowl

"Him playing this week, I don't think it's enough time," Finley told the Pioneer Press. "Two weeks is not enough time for the brain to heal. If it was my opinion, I wouldn't (play)."

Knocked out of the AFC Championship Game with a concussion on Jan. 21, Gronkowski was cleared to return to practice this week. He is expected to play Sunday in his third Super Bowl after missing last year's playoff run following back surgery.

Still just 30, Finley came into the NFL two years before Gronkowski. A career-ending neck injury forced Finley out of the NFL after just six seasons.

He was able to collect on a $10 million insurance policy, but the five concussions he suffered, starting at the University of Texas, ultimately sent Finley into treatment at Pure Sports Recovery, an experimental program that attempts to rewire and reconnect the brain through advanced neuro-feedback.

One of Finley's concussions came in a January 2012 playoff loss to the New York Giants, when he was still listed as an intended pass target with less than seven minutes remaining, according to the official play-by-play.

Despite the presence of four independent concussion specialists at this Super Bowl, including one who had been working as a "centralized spotter" at NFL headquarters, according to ESPN.com, the concern of an undetected concussion remains. The temptation to hide a brain injury is never greater than it is on the largest stage for any football player.

"It's huge, man," Finley said. "It's the biggest game of your life, so what are you going to do? At the end of the day, it is a competitive game."

The St. Paul Pioneer Press is a media partner with Forum News Service