We see them all the time on the gridiron and are fascinated with the violence. The sheer sound of the pop of pads is enough to stir most Americans into frenzy over the “Big Hits” in a sport of hits. I love them as a player of the game, and football fans all over the nation and world who love to watch the entertainment of the games can’t get enough of them. Recently, especially in light of the news and information surrounding former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach and Adam James, concussions and the handling of athletes has come under much scrutiny in America. This is because in large part, little research has shown a common, definitive link between concussions and the health of the brain and neurological system of the years. Many scientists, M.D.’s, and society at large has viewed these incidences as isolated ones that do not correspond to lifelong damages if treated correctly.
Recent studies about the health of NFL, collegiate, and even high school football players are starting to disprove our preconceived notions about football, its safety, and the dangers that concussions and even the smaller hits at the line of scrimmage can have on the human body for an extended period of time. The disease that scares me and should really scare anyone else who knows any person who plays the game on any level is being termed Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or CTE. CTE was once thought to exclusively be found in the remnants of older boxers who donated their bodies to science. Now, researchers like Dr. Mckee, who is a leading neuropathologist who specializes in degenerative brain diseases, is finding startling evidence that this disease is being found in numerous individuals, including retired NFL professionals and the youngest case to date, a diseased high school football player who died at the age of 18.
Symptoms of CTE do not appear until about a decade after play has ceased and they seem to appear out of the blue. Symptoms include depression, loss of judgment, loss of impulse control, rages, and memory loss that quickly turns into dementia. This disease is a particularly hard one to stomach because there are absolutely no tests that can screen or diagnose the disease in a living person. Indeed, the only way researchers are even able to clinically diagnose this disease is to observe the brains of those affected by it post-mortem. Brown spots can easily be seen on the brains as a buildup of a protein called tau is released in the body after it has sustained the hits generated from football.
This disease and its threats are an issue at hand for youth sports because of the recent findings that an 18 year old high school football players showed early stages of CTE when his brain was examined. This incident causes us to question the impact hits have on youth, middle school and high school aged children. It is particularly disturbing in a sport where children are able to participate in from very young ages, like youth football. One can only imagine the affect hits can have on the still underdeveloped brains of youth. This topic is one that will undoubtedly be on the mind of any coach or parent as we learn more from the research at hand.
Christopher Stewart
Social Foundation of Coaching
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Changing the Way We Think
At the VA Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, a lab seemingly like any other holds a group of scientists doing research. Bennet Omalu, a neurologist, studies a computer screen. However, this lab is unlike any other. Surrounding them are vats filled with typical levels of deteriorated brains of 80 year old men. However, none of these brains belonged to anyone who made it past 80. They were all brains of former NFL big hitters. All of them with a history of concussions.
Often times, when we think of the result of concussions, we think of extreme brain damage or death. What if the actual effects of concussion are not immediately visible. What if they do not appear until years later.
Andre Waters played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals between 1984 and 1995 and was All-Pro hard-hitting NFL safety. He was highly regarded as on of the hardest hitters during his NFL tenure. On November 20, 2006, Waters committed suicide. He was 44. His brain was 85 and in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. His family had donated it to the lab at the VA for Omalu to study.
Justin Strzelczyk was an offensive linemen who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1990 to 1998. In 2004 and at the age of 36, he died in a car crash following a high speed pursuit to evade police. He was clinically depressed and had bipolar disorder. His brain was also studied at the VA by Omalu at was also determined to be deteriorated to the level found in an 85 year old man.
Former teammates NFL guard Ralph Wenzel and Hall of Fame tight-end John Mackey reunite at an assisted living facility. The only problem is that the two men cannot remember each other. Their wives help the men by showing pictures of themselves on the playing field cheering together. But neither man can remember each other for more than a few moments. In a separate incident, Mackey’s family discusses an incident in which he became confused and enraged after seeing Marvin Harrison formerly of the Indianapolis Colts wearing his 88 jersey. Both Wenzel and Mackey suffer from dementia.
Christopher Nowinksi, a former football player, professional wrestler, and Harvard graduate, discusses findings with scientists. He writes a book titled Head Games: Football's Concussion Crisis. After studying numerous brains of athletes like Waters, they have discovered a few unexpected and shocking results. A person with 3 concussions is 3 times more likely to become depressed and 5 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Athletes were at the greatest risk when an earlier concussion had not healed. Over half of all players in the NFL were being sent back into games following concussions and hits that had even rendered them unconscious.
In 2007, the co-chairman for Concussions Committee of the NFL and lead neurologist, Dr. Ira Casson, denies that any of this is true. Part of the video can be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4NbU_HaB3Y
The issue became hot this past September and ultimately ended up before Congress in late 2009. After reviewing the scientific evidence, the NFL realizes it must make changes. The rules are changed to prevent helmet to helmet contact, teams must have independent doctors, players must pass strict tests before returning to the field, and Dr. Ira Casson resigns. The NFL Player’s Association enacted the “88 Plan” in honor of John Mackey, which supplies former players with $88,000 in nursing home care and $50,000 for adult day care. The NFL now supports Nowinski and Omalu’s research. Ultimately, the NFL has changed its position and actively tries to protect its players.
Head injuries are a serious, but an unavoidable aspect of football. However, coaches and trainers must remember that the players are people and not merely an instrument to win games. A coach’s decision to play a professional or high school student before their concussion has fully healed can have serious consequences later in life. Athletes will often beg to return to the game, but it is the responsibility of ethical coaches to make the decision to protect their athletes from long-term injuries. Unfortunately this is often not the case, as discovered in Nowinski’s research. As potential coaches for the next generation, we need to change the way we think or potentially change our players’ ability to think in the future. We should all remember what long term affects our decision have on our players and do what is best for them.
Patrick Hernandez
Social Foundations of Coaching
ND 2010
Often times, when we think of the result of concussions, we think of extreme brain damage or death. What if the actual effects of concussion are not immediately visible. What if they do not appear until years later.
Andre Waters played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals between 1984 and 1995 and was All-Pro hard-hitting NFL safety. He was highly regarded as on of the hardest hitters during his NFL tenure. On November 20, 2006, Waters committed suicide. He was 44. His brain was 85 and in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. His family had donated it to the lab at the VA for Omalu to study.
Justin Strzelczyk was an offensive linemen who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1990 to 1998. In 2004 and at the age of 36, he died in a car crash following a high speed pursuit to evade police. He was clinically depressed and had bipolar disorder. His brain was also studied at the VA by Omalu at was also determined to be deteriorated to the level found in an 85 year old man.
Former teammates NFL guard Ralph Wenzel and Hall of Fame tight-end John Mackey reunite at an assisted living facility. The only problem is that the two men cannot remember each other. Their wives help the men by showing pictures of themselves on the playing field cheering together. But neither man can remember each other for more than a few moments. In a separate incident, Mackey’s family discusses an incident in which he became confused and enraged after seeing Marvin Harrison formerly of the Indianapolis Colts wearing his 88 jersey. Both Wenzel and Mackey suffer from dementia.
Christopher Nowinksi, a former football player, professional wrestler, and Harvard graduate, discusses findings with scientists. He writes a book titled Head Games: Football's Concussion Crisis. After studying numerous brains of athletes like Waters, they have discovered a few unexpected and shocking results. A person with 3 concussions is 3 times more likely to become depressed and 5 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Athletes were at the greatest risk when an earlier concussion had not healed. Over half of all players in the NFL were being sent back into games following concussions and hits that had even rendered them unconscious.
In 2007, the co-chairman for Concussions Committee of the NFL and lead neurologist, Dr. Ira Casson, denies that any of this is true. Part of the video can be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4NbU_HaB3Y
The issue became hot this past September and ultimately ended up before Congress in late 2009. After reviewing the scientific evidence, the NFL realizes it must make changes. The rules are changed to prevent helmet to helmet contact, teams must have independent doctors, players must pass strict tests before returning to the field, and Dr. Ira Casson resigns. The NFL Player’s Association enacted the “88 Plan” in honor of John Mackey, which supplies former players with $88,000 in nursing home care and $50,000 for adult day care. The NFL now supports Nowinski and Omalu’s research. Ultimately, the NFL has changed its position and actively tries to protect its players.
Head injuries are a serious, but an unavoidable aspect of football. However, coaches and trainers must remember that the players are people and not merely an instrument to win games. A coach’s decision to play a professional or high school student before their concussion has fully healed can have serious consequences later in life. Athletes will often beg to return to the game, but it is the responsibility of ethical coaches to make the decision to protect their athletes from long-term injuries. Unfortunately this is often not the case, as discovered in Nowinski’s research. As potential coaches for the next generation, we need to change the way we think or potentially change our players’ ability to think in the future. We should all remember what long term affects our decision have on our players and do what is best for them.
Patrick Hernandez
Social Foundations of Coaching
ND 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Suns/Spurs Play-Off Series
For the fifth time in the last seven seasons, the Phoenix Suns and the San Antonio Spurs meet in the playoffs, providing several high scoring games and many unforgettable moments. Who can forget the Robert Horry hip check on Steve Nash in Game Four of the 2007 Western Conference Semis? Or the Tony Parker-Steve Nash collision in Game One of that same series, causing Nash to miss most of the end of a tight ball game? Or Tim Duncan’s game tying three pointer in Game One of their 2008 First Round Series, a shot which set the tone for the rest of the series?
The Suns have not beaten the Spurs in the playoffs since 2000, a series in which the Spurs played without Tim Duncan due to a knee injury. Can the Suns finally reverse the curse against San Antonio?
Starting Lineups
Phoenix San Antonio
PG Steve Nash PG George Hill
SG Jason Richardson SG Manu Ginobili
SF Grant Hill SF Richard Jefferson
PF Amare Stoudemire PF Tim Duncan
C Jarron Collins C Antonio McDyess
Key Matchup
There are so many match-ups to choose from. Duncan vs Stoudemire in the post, Nash vs Hill/Parker, Ginobili vs Hill, and which enigmatic athlete actually shows up in Jason Richardson or Richard Jefferson.
The key for this series is going to be how well Richard Jefferson plays against Jason Richardson. In the games the Suns won vs Portland, Richardson scored 28 a game, and only 14 in their losses. While the Spurs were 7-1 during the regular season when Jefferson scored over 20 points. Jefferson is capable of exploding for big scoring games against the porous Suns D. If the Spurs can bottle up the Suns up-tempo attack, where Richardson excels, the Spurs should be able to swing this key match-up their way.
Analysis
Phoenix comes in confident after finishing out Portland last Thursday. When asked about trying to reverse the curse against San Antonio in recent years, Steve Nash reminded reporters that only three players (Stoudemire, Nash, and Leandro Barbosa) from the current roster have played in those battles. He is right. The Suns have added more depth since and could be the most complete Suns team the Spurs have faced. Players like Goran Dragic and Leandro Barbosa provide energy and play-making ability for the Suns off the bench. Channing Frye is a big man who can spread the floor for Phoenix, much like Matt Bonner does for San Antonio. Jared Dudley and Louis Amundson will likely match up against Tim Duncan during the series. How they match up against the Spurs’ bench is a key to the series.
Likewise, the Spurs will need support for their Big Three of Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker in order to knock off the Suns. Sophomore George Hill has thrived in the playoffs since returning from an ankle injury late in the season and was the Spurs’ biggest contributor outside the Big Three. Against Dallas, Hill hit big shot after big shot in victories in Games 4 and 6, including a 29 point effort in the Game 4 win. Richard Jefferson showed flashes of brilliance against Dallas and should continue to find his spots in the Spurs’ offense. Antonio McDyess played superb defense on Dirk Nowitzki and hit the outside shot enough to keep Dallas’ defense honest. Matt Bonner provided help rebounding and scored well both from the three point line and driving to the basket. Dejuan Blair brings length, energy and hustle of the bench. Together, they formed one of the best benches in the league.
Injuries could play a key part of the series. Except for Ginobili’s nose, the Spurs are as healthy as they’ve been in years. Tony Parker is healed from his wrist injury, and it should not limit him in the series. Tim Duncan’s knees are something the Spurs monitor closely from game to game.
Meanwhile, C Robin Lopez did not play for the Suns last series due to a bulging disk in his back. But, he has started to practice and may play in the series. The Suns could definitely use their best shot blocker against the Spurs pick and roll game. Steve Nash’s hip has also caused him some problems the last few days and has sat out practice in recent days.
On offense, the Suns will try to run the ball on the older Spurs and try to score quick baskets in transition. Their frenetic, fast pace against Portland in Games Five and Six was too much for the Blazers to handle. This means the Suns will likely go to a “small ball” lineup to try to control the tempo of the game.
The Spurs will have to guard well in transition and control the tempo of the game. A slower, half court style game suits the Spurs better. Their pick and roll game should do well against the Suns if they decide to go to a smaller lineup with no real shot blockers.
I expect the Spurs to allow Stoudemire and Nash to dominate the Suns offense, while focusing on not leaving the perimeter shooters of the Suns. This strategy has worked in the previous match-ups with the Suns stars putting up huge numbers, but getting no help from the supporting cast.
The Spurs will be able to score at will against the Suns lackluster D. Parker, Ginobili, and Hill should have a parade to the rim for layups against the Suns small line-up with no shot blockers and all should have a big series.
I expect the Spurs to control the pace of play for the majority of the series, and even if they do allow the Suns to run, this Spurs team is fully capable of running with them with a line-up of Parker, Hill, Ginobili, Jefferson, and Duncan. That may be a line-up you see Popovich run for the closing minutes of most games.
In the end, the Spurs are too experienced, and too good on D for the Suns to break their losing trend. Greg Popovich will be able to coach circles around Alvin Gentry, and the Spurs will ultimately win in 6.
Anthony Treemarki
Notre Dame Social Foundations of Coaching Class
The Suns have not beaten the Spurs in the playoffs since 2000, a series in which the Spurs played without Tim Duncan due to a knee injury. Can the Suns finally reverse the curse against San Antonio?
Starting Lineups
Phoenix San Antonio
PG Steve Nash PG George Hill
SG Jason Richardson SG Manu Ginobili
SF Grant Hill SF Richard Jefferson
PF Amare Stoudemire PF Tim Duncan
C Jarron Collins C Antonio McDyess
Key Matchup
There are so many match-ups to choose from. Duncan vs Stoudemire in the post, Nash vs Hill/Parker, Ginobili vs Hill, and which enigmatic athlete actually shows up in Jason Richardson or Richard Jefferson.
The key for this series is going to be how well Richard Jefferson plays against Jason Richardson. In the games the Suns won vs Portland, Richardson scored 28 a game, and only 14 in their losses. While the Spurs were 7-1 during the regular season when Jefferson scored over 20 points. Jefferson is capable of exploding for big scoring games against the porous Suns D. If the Spurs can bottle up the Suns up-tempo attack, where Richardson excels, the Spurs should be able to swing this key match-up their way.
Analysis
Phoenix comes in confident after finishing out Portland last Thursday. When asked about trying to reverse the curse against San Antonio in recent years, Steve Nash reminded reporters that only three players (Stoudemire, Nash, and Leandro Barbosa) from the current roster have played in those battles. He is right. The Suns have added more depth since and could be the most complete Suns team the Spurs have faced. Players like Goran Dragic and Leandro Barbosa provide energy and play-making ability for the Suns off the bench. Channing Frye is a big man who can spread the floor for Phoenix, much like Matt Bonner does for San Antonio. Jared Dudley and Louis Amundson will likely match up against Tim Duncan during the series. How they match up against the Spurs’ bench is a key to the series.
Likewise, the Spurs will need support for their Big Three of Duncan, Ginobili, and Parker in order to knock off the Suns. Sophomore George Hill has thrived in the playoffs since returning from an ankle injury late in the season and was the Spurs’ biggest contributor outside the Big Three. Against Dallas, Hill hit big shot after big shot in victories in Games 4 and 6, including a 29 point effort in the Game 4 win. Richard Jefferson showed flashes of brilliance against Dallas and should continue to find his spots in the Spurs’ offense. Antonio McDyess played superb defense on Dirk Nowitzki and hit the outside shot enough to keep Dallas’ defense honest. Matt Bonner provided help rebounding and scored well both from the three point line and driving to the basket. Dejuan Blair brings length, energy and hustle of the bench. Together, they formed one of the best benches in the league.
Injuries could play a key part of the series. Except for Ginobili’s nose, the Spurs are as healthy as they’ve been in years. Tony Parker is healed from his wrist injury, and it should not limit him in the series. Tim Duncan’s knees are something the Spurs monitor closely from game to game.
Meanwhile, C Robin Lopez did not play for the Suns last series due to a bulging disk in his back. But, he has started to practice and may play in the series. The Suns could definitely use their best shot blocker against the Spurs pick and roll game. Steve Nash’s hip has also caused him some problems the last few days and has sat out practice in recent days.
On offense, the Suns will try to run the ball on the older Spurs and try to score quick baskets in transition. Their frenetic, fast pace against Portland in Games Five and Six was too much for the Blazers to handle. This means the Suns will likely go to a “small ball” lineup to try to control the tempo of the game.
The Spurs will have to guard well in transition and control the tempo of the game. A slower, half court style game suits the Spurs better. Their pick and roll game should do well against the Suns if they decide to go to a smaller lineup with no real shot blockers.
I expect the Spurs to allow Stoudemire and Nash to dominate the Suns offense, while focusing on not leaving the perimeter shooters of the Suns. This strategy has worked in the previous match-ups with the Suns stars putting up huge numbers, but getting no help from the supporting cast.
The Spurs will be able to score at will against the Suns lackluster D. Parker, Ginobili, and Hill should have a parade to the rim for layups against the Suns small line-up with no shot blockers and all should have a big series.
I expect the Spurs to control the pace of play for the majority of the series, and even if they do allow the Suns to run, this Spurs team is fully capable of running with them with a line-up of Parker, Hill, Ginobili, Jefferson, and Duncan. That may be a line-up you see Popovich run for the closing minutes of most games.
In the end, the Spurs are too experienced, and too good on D for the Suns to break their losing trend. Greg Popovich will be able to coach circles around Alvin Gentry, and the Spurs will ultimately win in 6.
Anthony Treemarki
Notre Dame Social Foundations of Coaching Class
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)