Two NFL players put health in the spotlight this week and their stories are at opposite ends of the spectrum.
San Diego Chargers’ offensive lineman Kris Dielman, who happens to have two little kids, was quoted saying he would put going for a win ahead of his own health. Later in the article he says that he would get cleared by doctors but since the Chargers didn’t make the playoffs it’s a moot point.
This is in stark contrast to Ryan Clark, free safety of the Pittsburgh Steelers’, who will sit out today’s playoff game against the Broncos due to sickle cell trait and the issues associated with playing at altitude. Clark had problems in 2007, when playing in Denver ended up costing him his spleen, gallbladder, and about 30 pounds. He hasn’t played a game in Denver since.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel is reporting that Manny Ramirez was charged with domestic battery tonight after he was arrested at his home in Weston, Florida. His wife called police, stating that the retired Tampa Bay Ray struck her across the face.
Ramirez retired from Major League Baseball just five games in to his last season as a Ray after a positive drug test. This followed a 50 game suspension while with the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 2009 season. Ramirez is perhaps best known for helping the Boston Red Sox win two World Series titles in 2004 and 2007
The phrase “Manny being Manny” isn’t going to hold any sway in a court of law, I’m afraid.
Earlier today we reported Peyton Manning was ruled out for the Indianapolis Colts’ home opener. Just hours later, WNDE sports radio host Jay Query says he may be out for the season. Via podcast, Query is claiming to have a reliable yet unnamed source who said he had another back surgery Sunday or Monday and will not be able to play in the 2011-12 season. Nothing much to hear before 3:25.
Among all the other evidence that I took leave of my senses between the ages of 18 and 22, I played rugby in college. Fall and Spring. Six seasons, and a host of injuries that included three concussions. Since this was “the olden days,” I sat out of practice a week and that was it. No CT scans, or even much follow-up from the medical staff at my school. Other than my first trip to the concussion rodeo, I only ever saw a doc once.
This is a perfect example of “now that we know better, we do better.” Concussion awareness programs are everywhere today, from the NFL to elementary school (to The Onion). And now Dick’s Sporting Goods has created PACE, Protecting Athletes through Concussion Education.
Through PACE, Dick’s Sporting Goods will supply up to one million young athletes across more than 3,300 middle and high schools nationwide with ImPACT software, a scientifically-validated computerized concussion evaluation system. It is a computerized, neurocognitive assessment tool that is used by medical doctors, psychologists, athletic trainers, and other licensed healthcare professionals to assist them in determining an athlete’s ability to return to play after suffering a concussion. Compared to my experience, WHAT A CONCEPT!!!
Schools need to apply in order to get the software. To apply for your school, visit http://www.mydickssportinggoods.com/pace/ and click “Submit Your School” on the left-hand side.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis tries out the ImPACT baseline concussion software at the PACE event at Dick's Sporting Goods in White Plains, NY.
Jim Joyce. Don Denkinger. How many umpires or referees can you name? I’ll bet you only know their names because of a famous bad call. Add Jerry Meals to that list.
In case you were not up at 2:30 am Wednesday watching the Pirates and Braves, here’s what happened. The game was in the bottom of the 19th, (yes, you read that right, the NINETEENTH inning) six and a half hours after the game began, with the score tied 3-3. Julio Lugo was on third. Braves’ pitcher Scott Proctor hit a ground ball that was fielded by Pedro Alvarez, who threw to Michael “The Fort” McKenry. The throw arrived in McKenry’s glove well ahead of Lugo and well in front of the plate. Umpire Jerry Meals was in a great position to make the easy call.
Except he called Lugo safe.
Needless to say, all hell broke loose at Turner Field. See for yourself.
And that’s what the Atlanta TV guys had to say.
My twitter stream exploded, though I’m betting that was nothing compared to what was being said the Pirates’ locker room. And in the morning, the hashtag #jerrymealssaysitssafe was trending.
It continued on all day and shows little sign of going away any time soon, at least not in Pittsburgh.
As for the Pirates, Manager Clint Hurdle encouraged his players to express their frustration, but public comment has been limited. Frank Coonelly’s statement says it all on behalf of the team.
Later in the day, Jerry Meals made the following statement:
Pertaining to the play that ended the game as last night, as [Scott] Proctor hit the groundball to [third baseman Pedro] Alvarez…as he fielded the ball and threw home, I got into position to make the call. [Catcher Michael] McKenry caught the ball, made a swipe tag attempt at Lugo sliding. I did not see any tag After that, I ruled him safe.
After coming into the locker room, I reviewed the incident through our videos that we have in here and after seeing a few of them, on one particular replay, I was able to see that Lugo’s pant leg moved ever so slightly when the swipe tag was attempted by McKenry. That’s telling me that I was incorrect in my decision and that he should have been ruled out and not safe.
It takes guts to admit you’re wrong. He’s never gonna be my favorite ump but he’s human. He made a mistake. He admitted it. Moving on. That’s exactly what I expect Clint Hurdle is encouraging his players to do.
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