Will Compton
JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 23: Will Compton #51 of the Tennessee Titans on the sidelines getting ready before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on September 23, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Titans defeated the Jaguars 9-6. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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Former NFL Player Under Fire For Bringing His Baby to Wedding with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

This former NFL linebacker is getting blitzed on the internet for taking his sick daughter to a family wedding. 

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Will Compton is getting blitzed on the internet for taking his sick child to a wedding. 

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The former linebacker shared online that his 17-month-old daughter, Scottie, was diagnosed with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). Compton, who played in the NFL between 2013 and 2021, is the co-host of the podcast Bussin' with the Boys with Taylor Lewan. 

What Is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease?

If you're a parent who has had a child in day care, then chances are you've experienced HFMD. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is a common but contagious illness characterized by fever, sore throat, mouth sores, and rashes on the hands and feet. 

While it is common in children under 5, it can be spread by anyone, regardless of age. 

As Compton discovered, the symptoms can be frustrating for both young children who suffer from it and their parents. He shared on social media that he "didn't sleep last night." 

"Cried all night (we both did)," he added. "Family traveled 5 hours to Missouri earlier for my brothers wedding this weekend —Scottie screamed bloody murder for 3 of those hours because her feet itched so badly. We are in hell right now, men."

Should Will Compton Have Gone to the Wedding?

As anyone who has ever used social media knows, everyone has to share their opinion. This is especially true for parents talking about their kids. Compton got his share of criticism for taking his daughter to a wedding while she was suffering from HFMD. 

"By no means am I father of the year but this may be one of the most irresponsible things a parent can do," one user wrote. "I realize it was your brother but I'm sure there were better options than torturing that kid and exposing the entire wedding to an infection."

Compton replied with, "Brother it was a wedding in small town Missouri. We grew up on canola oil, cigarette smoke, and lead in our yards. Everyone's infected with something."

"As someone who grew up in Jefferson County, no one is better prepared to survive this situation than the great people of Bonne Terre," shared another fan. "Hantavirus would die with exposure to the robustness of the immune systems on display in Bonne Terre."