Language is very powerful ...

Since this blog is called "NotJustSports" ... let's get away from the seriousness for a minute ...

Duerson's Death Raises Many Questions

The death of Dave Duerson, former Chicago Bear, New York Giant and Notre Dame alum, originally sounded like the tragic passing of a 50-year old man. Then came the news that Duerson took his own life by shooting himself in the chest in his Florida home. He had started to see the affects of football and apparently it hit him hard. Many former NFL players complain of absent mindedness, walking into a room and forgetting why – or not being able to put simple words together to form a sentence. This was true for Duerson too.

One of Duerson’s final actions was to text his family. What was so important just moments before he’d take his own life? He wanted to make sure that his family donated his brain to research. Duerson may have believed he was a victim of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy – a degenerative brain disease that’s been found in 20 retired players. The disease has been linked to depression and cognitive impairment – and sometimes suicide. Alan Schwarz of the New York Times has a great article on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) - http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/23/sports/football/23duerson.html - and James Fegan of ChicagoNow discusses the renewed focus on concussions - http://chicagonow.com/KbU2

As the parent of an 8-year old boy – one who has played 2 seasons of football already – it’s a tough position to be in. I’m struggling with whether or not to allow my boy to play again. How would I feel if my son were going through these same symptoms? Would it be my fault for allowing him to play? Am I overreacting?

As coaches we watch very carefully. We monitor the kids to make sure they’re healthy and not suffering from injuries caused by football. But the mentality of football is – as evidenced most recently by the criticism of Jay Cutler – that you’re a tough guy, that you never quit and that you can play through pain. If you don’t think kids feel those same pressures, you’re not paying attention. The best athletes are always put on a pedestal – even for 8-year olds.

I also want to pass along something that has been bothering me. In January, CBS-2 Chicago’s Mike Parker, reported on former Bears QB Jim McMahon, and his battle with what’s believed to be TCE. Parker’s report centered on football - http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/01/13/mcmahon-on-concussion-dangers-you-think-nothing-can-bother-you/ - when in fact, the report he credits lists football as “one of” the more dangerous sports – in the top 3 with Girl’s Field Hockey and Basketball. Everyone wants to focus on football, but it’s not the only sport putting our youth in danger – just the most popular, I guess.

More Reading:

Boston University study on CTE - http://www.bu.edu/bostonia/web/concussions/

I’d love to know what you think … go to the COMMENTS section below and post your thoughts – and don’t forget to vote in the poll to the left.

Bulls could add 2 to Pro Basketball Hall of Fame

Two former Bulls – both members of the Jordan-era Championship squads – Dennis Rodman and Tex Winter are among 12 finalists for the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Rodman was a stud – and had plenty of them pierced throughout his body. His flamboyant nature was at sometimes annoying and distracting, but you can’t argue with his effectiveness at getting under the skin of his opponents, while periodically losing his own cool. Though the positives outweighed the negatives in Chicago, where Rodman earned 3 rings.

Winter – the architect of the Triangle Offense the Bulls ran in the 90’s and the currently run by the Lakers – spent 57 years in the game. Kobe Bryant chimed in on Winter’s HOF candidacy:

"I don't know how he's not in the Hall of Fame. That's just disgraceful. He should have been in the Hall of Fame a long time ago."

I was doing some research and found that Winter’s resume is shockingly good:

• Head Coach at Marquette in 1952 – the youngest coach in major college basketball at the time.
• Head Coach at Kansas State for 15 years compiling a 261-118 record with 8 league titles and 2 trips to the Final Four.
• UPI Coach of the Year in 1958 after knocking off Oscar Robertson’s Cincinnati club in 2-OT to reach the Final Four.
• Head Coach at University of Washington, Northwestern University and Long Beach State, as well.
• Head Coach of the Houston Rockets for 2 years.
• And of course – Assistant with the Bulls and Lakers under Phil Jackson, where he’s collected 9 Championship rings alongside Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.

I think Kobe’s right – Tex to the Hall should be a lock!

Joining Rodman and Winter as finalists are Jamaal Wilkes, Chris Mullin, Maurice Cheeks, Ralph Sampson, 5-time Olympian Teresa Edwards, Stanford women’s coach Tara VaDerveer, former NBA coach Dick Motta, Philadelphia University coach Herb Magee, college referee Hank Nichols, and Al Attles, current VP and Assistant GM of the Warriors.

JOIN IN THE CONVERSATION - POST YOUR COMMENTS BELOW ...

The Bulls currently have 5 players, 2 coaches and 1 contributor who played a part in their franchise in the Hall of Fame:

Nate Thurmond ’74-‘76

George Gervin ‘85’-86

Robert Parish ’96-‘97

Michael Jordan ’84-’93 and ’94-‘98

Scottie Pippen ’87-’98 and ’03-‘04

Phil Jackson ’87-’98 (Assistant and Head Coach)

Jerry Sloan ’79-‘82

Jerry Colangelo ’66-‘68

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Dave Duerson ... 1960-2011

I’m sure my point of view is skewed – the man is a legend in the city of Chicago – but I think the football world lost a pretty damn good guy today. Dave Duerson, a member of Super Bowl Champions twice - ’85 Chicago Bears and ’90 New York Giants – passed on Thursday night at the age of 50. He was found unresponsive in his Miami apartment.

Those who knew him – either personally or via the media – fondly referred to him as “Double-D.” He was one of those guys who despite donning two Super Bowl rings and maybe more importantly to him – his Notre Dame ring – would stop and talk with anyone. I had the chance to get to know him while at ESPN 1000, where he was part of the Bears coverage for the station. From the first moment, we hit it off - discussing Notre Dame Football, the Bears - or just life in general. Never did he make me feel as though he were better - and always he was attentive and involved. He was a gentleman, a scholar (degree in Economics) and a great football player.

You will be missed, Double-D.

Moreland to replace Santo in Cubs Radio Booth

The Cubs radio booth will have a new sound this season - the dulcet tones of good ole #6. He roamed the Wrigley outfiield from 1982-1987 - half of his 12-year Major League career. Now he transitions to the microphone full-time, after having spelled Ron Santo at times during last season.

Santo, of course, lost his long battle with health issues this December, when he passed. His enthusiasm will be hard to match, but Moreland should be able to make up for it with better analysis and a better feeling for modern-day ballplayers.

He joins longtime play-by-play - and funny man - Pat Hughes in the WGN booth. Moreland gives up doing football and baeball for the Texas Longhorns to move back to Chicago.

Moreland knows about winning baseball - something the Cubs would like to be more familiar with - having played for the '84 Cubs and the 1980 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies.

For more on Moreland's hiring - check out ESPN 1000 Chicago
http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=6127784

Jordan Returning to NBA? Be Serious!

Is it a slow news day or doesn’t the NBA have enough stars?

Are we really so desperate for greatness?

The Charlotte Bobcats needed an extra player to run a scrimmage in practice on Thursday, so they opted for their Owner to lace-up the old Air Jordan’s. Michael Jordan and his 48-year old knees took the court and schooled some of the Bobcats – but that’s not saying a whole lot. Charlotte is 22-30 and 16 games out of 1^st place in the Southeast Division.

From the Charlotte Observer’s Roy Green Jr.:

"He's Mike. He's been kicking our (rear ends)," Bobcats captain Gerald Wallace Thursday after Jordan participated in the team's practice again. "He still has it. He doesn't have his quickness, but he's a scorer, he's a shooter. The last thing to go is your jump shot, and he still has that."

Jordan, who will turn 48 next week, wore an orange jersey during practice and iced both knees when he was finished. Asked if the orange jersey meant Jordan got special treatment on the court, Wallace said no.
"We don't treat him like a quarterback out here. We hit him," Wallace said of the Hall of Famer, who did not speak to reporters. "It just means he's on third string."

Paul Silas, Charlotte’s Head Coach, joined ESPN-1000’s “Silvy & Waddle” today and was asked how many points Jordan could score – if he were to get in shape and play the final 2 months of the season. Unbelievably, Silas started at 15-20 points per game and then pushed the envelope a little further, finishing with a 20+ scoring average prognostication. Really, Paul, really?

So you’re saying Jordan’s knees – which have already logged over 1,000 NBA games – or more than 40,000 minutes on the court – are going to somehow regain their 20-something form? Or even 30-something form? No, kids, it aint gonna happen! Fuggetaboutit! Jordan is retired – and unless he plays in a charity or celebrity game – I wouldn’t bank on his return – again.

Don’t get me wrong – I’ve seen the man put daggers through the hearts of his competition. I was standing on the court when the Bulls took down the Sonics in ’96. I have seen the look of fire in his eyes, but I don’t think it’s there anymore – not for playing anyway. We all want to re-live the “glory days” … but that’s why they’re called glory days, they’re in the past. Leave them there, people.

P.S. – You can keep Kobe and everyone else. For my money, Michael Jeffrey Jordan is the BEST BASKETBALL PLAYER TO EVER LIVE.

For more on Jordan’s practice with the Bobcats - http://yhoo.it/fGK9r4

To take a look at Jordan’s Career Stats - http://bit.ly/gMrBIg

 

"Silky Johnson" Award Nominee: Nicolas Batum

Late on a winter night in Portland, with the euphoria of a victory over the Bulls still fresh in his mind, Trailblazers' Forward Nicolas Batum - ye old 12 points and 4 rebounds per contest - was added to the list of finalists for the 2011 Silky Johnson Award for HATING!

Batum had just watched LeMarcus Aldridge drop 40 on the Chicago squad, while his counterpart, Andre Miller added 27 and 11 assists. Miller was matched up with Derrick Rose for much of the night. The All-Star Game starter scored 36 of his own, but apparently didn't impress Batum.

"We know that Derrick Rose is a good offensive player. But you have to play defense, too. He can’t guard Dre. You gotta play defense. He can’t play defense, so that’s why we put Dre inside and try to attack him. He did a great job."

In a move that shocked the Silky Johnson Voting Committee, Batum quickly pulled a 180 and paid homage to Mr. Rose this afternoon,

"What I said was Derrick Rose is a better offensive player than he is on defense. And, in a game like that, if we can get him to play defense, that can get him in trouble and be better for us, especially if we can get him in foul trouble."

This reversal could hurt his chances with the voters!

The "Sack Man" Will Live Forever in Canton

A much deserved enshrinement will finally come about in 2011, as Richard Dent is among the next class for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Dent is joined by Deion Sanders, Marshall Faulk, Shannon Sharpe and Ed Sabol. Chris Hanburger and Les Richter went in as veterans.

It was the 7th try for Dent - who becomes the 27th Bear to be inducted in Canton.

Read more about Dent's story - http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/news/story?id=6093865

Christmas Comes to South Bend in February

Stephon Tuitt, 5-star DE

In what could be the best defensive recruiting haul in the last 15 years for Notre Dame, Brian Kelly locked-up a class that includes a pair of 5-star and trio of 4-star incoming freshman - and that's just on defense! In all, the Irish signed 23 players to official commitments.

The class is led by Stephon Tuitt of Monroe, Georgia and Ishaq Williams, of Brooklyn, New York - a pair of dominating defensive ends. Thier elite talent could be the remedy to what has ailed the Notre Dame defense. Other highlights in this class ... QB Everett Golson (Myrtle Beach, SC), DE Aaron Lynch (Cape Coral, FL), TE Ben Koyack (Oil City, PA) and the Atkins Brothers - ATH George and DB Josh.

Troy Niklas, 4-star OL

In a turnaround compared to recent years - the Irish didn't lose much at the deadline. DB Bennett Okotcha switched his commitment to Oklahoma at the last minute - a move that could hurt in the secondary over time. On the other hand, Brian Kelly secured the commitment of 4-star OL Troy Niklas (Anaheim, CA) over the USC Trojans. Niklas was thought to be a lock for USC, but sanctions against the football team and a more stable situation in South Bend could have been the deciding factor.

For a complete look at Notre Dame's 2011 recruiting class - check out Rivals - http://rivals.yahoo.com/notredame/football/recruiting/commitments/2011

Mae Smith, Mother of Bears Coach, Dead at 77

You don't have to see much of Lovie Smith to know that he comes from "good people." He displays respect and a class act. Today he's mourning the passing of the Smith Family Matriarch - Mae Evelyn Chalk Smith. Mrs. Smith passed away in Texas after a long battle with Diabetes. She was 77. You can read more about Mrs. Smith on ESPN 1000 http://es.pn/hSn6E3

Big deal - they've got two of 'em!

I remember wandering the halls of my high school the day after I pitched in a game - and damn - it was like I'd been shot in the arm and elbow. I would literally "carry" my right arm around. That's why this article hit close to home. A new study warns parents of little leaguers not to allow them to pitch more than 100 innings per year ... or else!

http://lat.ms/gkJ2M7

Kiffin leaving SoCal for Tennessee ???

Rumors are swirling this week that despite a top-10 recruiting haul, USC head coach Lane Kiffin could be checking to see if this grass is greener ... in Tennessee ... again. This time with with the NFL's Titans.

I'm not sure how to see this ... half of me thinks USC would be elated if he left, as he's a walking, talking bag of violations. On the other hand, imagine the feelings of the 31 recruits they're getting signatures from on National Signing Day.

For the report on Kiffin's sniffin' ... http://bit.ly/i1q8Gk