Finger Amputations for Football?

As usual, one thing leads to another, and I end up reading about something rather odd or unusual.  In this case, I somehow ended up reading about how amputations; yes, amputations have been requested by certain sports athletes.  Sometimes to chronic pain, and sometimes just enable them to continue professional sporting careers after injuries.  At first, this seems like a bizarre practice; coming from a musician's standpoint anyway; fingers are important!  Yet, apparently Australian footballers such as Brett Backwell, Daniel Chick, Jone Tawake, and NFL player Ronnie Lott have all had procedures done of this service  Removing a digit to keep playing... That's definitely dedication...