TREE-HUGGERS LINE UP AGAINST DOWNTOWN L.A. STADIUM & MORE ON THE CONCUSSION & BRAIN INJURY PROBLEM
My niece Erin is here from L.A. & after dinner we were discussing the excitement downtown Los Angeles is experiencing. With new residential development, the Staples Center, Nokia Theater, L.A. Convention Center & L.A. Live, an entertainment & dining complex, the city's downtown is developing into a place people want to go. It was never like that in L.A. It was "let's go to the beach or Hollywood or Orange County, but never downtown. Now it's a true hub for everything. Erin lives & works right in the middle of all this & she told me there were plans for a football stadium in this area, the land had been purchased & zoned for such a project. This was news to me, so I stated snooping around. I had heard of the proposed stadium out in the City of Industry spearheaded by Ed Roski. He had finagled a way to circumvent the state law that required neighbors to sign off on any stadium or arena contruction. Roski is despised in the environmental community for the way he did an end run around the tree-huggers(I'm not a hater, just use that term to annoy a few people close to me). He got the exemption before those neighbors could mobilize any opposition. Roski had everything, including the financing for his proposed football stadium, but no team to play in it. The downtown proposal is spearheaded by Tim Leiweke, Casey Wasserman & Denver billionaire Phillip Anschutz. His Anschutz Entertainment Group built the Staples Center. It has quickly become the hotter of the two deals because of the proximity to Staples, L.A. Live etc. Apparently, if Roski's stadium idea isn't the favorite, he'll do his best to scuttle the downtown deal. He informed the environmental community just how he got around the law to get what he wanted so they can use that against Leiweke, Wasserman & Anschutz. According to the piece in today's L.A. Times, seventy-two(72) environmental groups have begun their lobbying efforts in the state legislature to prevent any more creative law making that would fast track any stadium anywhere within the borders of the Golden State. I'm not a large-scale thinker, but even I know a project like this could mean thousands of jobs created in a state that desperately needs them. It would pump tens of millions in tax revenues into state coffers, which is currently running an $11 billion deficit. It's in a downtown area that's been covered by concrete, brick & steel for decades, so it wouldn't endanger spotted owls or create an oil spill, so what's the beef? Before the nasty emails start, I understand things aren't always as they seem, there's more to a project of this magnitude than meets the eye, but California needs this type of development. You can't argue with that right? Somehow I know I'm going to hear from someone who will attempt to set me straight on my environmental ignorance regarding a concrete & steel stadium in the middle of a zillion acres of concrete & steel.
Erin asked me what teams could be candidates to move into this or any other proposed football stadium in SoCal. I think Jacksonville, San Diego & St. Louis(yes, the Rams could return to L.A.) could possibly be in this conversation. One other possibility, the Minnesota Vikings could follow the other team that made this same move, her employer, the Los Angeles Lakers. How weird would that be? Viking owner Zygi Wilf is becoming fed up with the lack of a new stadium, it just isn't happening & I could see the day he sells the team in frustration or moves them west.
The Steelers took another big hit today when starting right tackle Willie Colon suffered a torn Achilles tendon & will be lost for the year. Trai Essex, the starting RG or Jonathan Scott, a free agent pickup appear to be the front runners to replace Colon. The departure of Santonio Holmes, coupled with Ben Roethlisberger's suspension & now Colon's injury, the Pittsburgh offense is down 3 important starters before the season even begins.
I've told you about Chad Jones' severe leg injury from a Friday morning traffic accident. The Giants 3rd round draft pick owns both a BCS Championship ring as well as a College World Series ring. He played safety & pitched for LSU. The Giants haven't spoken of their intentions regarding his rookie season's paychecks, amounting to some $320,000. They have total control over this issue. Jones will retain his $800,000 signing bonus, signed before the accident.....unless.....he switches to baseball. His agent, Rocky Arceneaux, said today Jones might make the switch to baseball since his ability to start & stop as an NFL safety might be compromised with the injuries he sustained. As I'm reading this piece in the New Orleans Times Picayune, the thought of "what the hell is this Arceneaux guy thinking?" kept ricocheting around in my brain. Why even give the Giants any reason to not only withhold his 2010 salary but ask for much or most of his signing bonus to be returned? If he never plays football because of the injury, he'll keep the entire bonus & might get some or all of his 2010 salary. If he switches to baseball I expect the G-men will come looking for their money. Not only is Arceneaux playing fast & loose with Jones' future income, by flapping his gums today, he's put his 10% commission in jeopardy. I'm constantly amazed at the strategy employed by some agents.
University of South Florida took another major hit to their passing game today with the loss of wide receiver Sterling Griffin. He sustained a dislocated ankle & will be lost for the season most likely. He is the 2nd wideout to suffer a severe injury, A.J. Love tore his ACL in the spring game & he too will be lost for the season. New head coach Skip Holtz is already 2 starters down before training camp even begins.
A few days ago I told you of the suspension of Arizona Wildcat receiver Delashaun Dean after he was arrested on a weapons charge for carrying a concealed handgun. Today, Dean informed coach Mike Stoops he was going to transfer to either Central Washington or Texas A&M-Kingsville, both Division II schools. This is a major loss for U of A, 132 receptions for 1,407 yards & 7 scores, tough to replace in just 3 months.
A watched a webcast of a news conference today that was very enlightening to those of us who know little about the long term impact collisions & concussions have on the human brain. Dr. Julian Bales, a neurosurgeon, former Steeler team doctor & currently the team physician for the West Virginia Mountaineerswas one of the speakers. He is also the co-founder of the Brain Injury Research Institute at the University. One of the others to speak at this press conference was Medical Examiner Bennet Omalu, also a member of the institute. They were able to examine brain tissue post mortim from football players Chris Henry, Mike Webster & Justin Strzelczyk & wrestler Chris Benoit. All four had one thing in common, they showed signs of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or CTE. This condition is, quite simply, permanent brain damage. Patients who have been diagnosed with CTE have similar symptoms, failure in personal & business relationships, use of drugs & alcohol plus severe depression & suicide. Benoit, Strzelczyk & Webster all sustained multiple concussions during their careers. Benoit killed his wife & son before hanging himself. Strzelczyk led police on a high-speed pursuit before running his car directly into a tanker truck at over 100 MPH. Webster vanished for over 4 years, living on the streets & being admitted to several mental health facilities. He died at 50. Henry was never diagnosed with a concussion either in college or as a Cincinnati Bengal. But Dr. Bales said the brain can sustain permanent damage stopping & starting. "The brain floats in fluid & it slams into the skull every time the body stops & starts at the speeds football players can attain" Bales said. Henry was one of the fastest wide receivers in the league. He was in trouble so often, a judge in Cincinnati called Henry "a one-man crime wave." He was arrested 5 times, suspended 4 times & on his "last chance", Henry seemed to be getting his football & personal life together. A lot of people were pulling for him & he was making progress before he suffered a season-ending injury in 2009. He underwent surgery & returned to Charlotte N.C. where he lived with his fiance & their 3 children. The week before Christmas, Henry & his fiance, Leilani Tonga, got into an argument & she left in Henry's pickup truck. He ran out of the house & jumped in the bed of the truck & about two miles down the road he fell or jumped from the vehicle sustaining a fatal head injury. All four of these former athletes had the same brain damage, how many more of these ticking time bombs are out there? Drs. Bales & Omalu made it clear further research is planned as several current & retired NFL players have "willed" their brains to medical science to examine after their deaths. They both said CTE will very likely be the brain condition seen most frequently in football players. As they get bigger, stronger & faster, the possibility for CTE grows every year. Rule changes & advances in equipment haven't kept up with the athletes they're designed to protect. Studies like this will definitely come into play during the CBA negotiations, there's no denying it, players put a lot on the line & some pay the ultimate price.
In a story unrelated to brain injury but just as scary for current players, former All-Pro guard, Conrad Dobler, has been told by several doctors to have his right leg amputated. The limb is covered by hideous scars from numerous knee operations & joint replacement surgeries, none of which have eased his pain. While looking for information in the Los Angeles Times about new stadiums, I came across this story on Dobler, once called "the NFL's Dirtiest Player" in a Sorts Illustrated cover story. Dobler, a Kansas City resident for 2 decades, is resisting the loss of his leg as he is the primary care giver for his wife, who in 2001, broke her neck & is a paraplegic. The 59-year old Dobler has had several financial set-backs in the hospital staffing business he operates in Kansas City & has had to drastically scale back his expenses, now the prospect of losing a leg further clouds his future. He has been an outspoken critic of the NFLPA's pension & medical insurance plans for more than a decade. This photo, from photographer Ed Zurga, should show you just how devastating a career in professional football can be.
Erin asked me what teams could be candidates to move into this or any other proposed football stadium in SoCal. I think Jacksonville, San Diego & St. Louis(yes, the Rams could return to L.A.) could possibly be in this conversation. One other possibility, the Minnesota Vikings could follow the other team that made this same move, her employer, the Los Angeles Lakers. How weird would that be? Viking owner Zygi Wilf is becoming fed up with the lack of a new stadium, it just isn't happening & I could see the day he sells the team in frustration or moves them west.
The Steelers took another big hit today when starting right tackle Willie Colon suffered a torn Achilles tendon & will be lost for the year. Trai Essex, the starting RG or Jonathan Scott, a free agent pickup appear to be the front runners to replace Colon. The departure of Santonio Holmes, coupled with Ben Roethlisberger's suspension & now Colon's injury, the Pittsburgh offense is down 3 important starters before the season even begins.
I've told you about Chad Jones' severe leg injury from a Friday morning traffic accident. The Giants 3rd round draft pick owns both a BCS Championship ring as well as a College World Series ring. He played safety & pitched for LSU. The Giants haven't spoken of their intentions regarding his rookie season's paychecks, amounting to some $320,000. They have total control over this issue. Jones will retain his $800,000 signing bonus, signed before the accident.....unless.....he switches to baseball. His agent, Rocky Arceneaux, said today Jones might make the switch to baseball since his ability to start & stop as an NFL safety might be compromised with the injuries he sustained. As I'm reading this piece in the New Orleans Times Picayune, the thought of "what the hell is this Arceneaux guy thinking?" kept ricocheting around in my brain. Why even give the Giants any reason to not only withhold his 2010 salary but ask for much or most of his signing bonus to be returned? If he never plays football because of the injury, he'll keep the entire bonus & might get some or all of his 2010 salary. If he switches to baseball I expect the G-men will come looking for their money. Not only is Arceneaux playing fast & loose with Jones' future income, by flapping his gums today, he's put his 10% commission in jeopardy. I'm constantly amazed at the strategy employed by some agents.
University of South Florida took another major hit to their passing game today with the loss of wide receiver Sterling Griffin. He sustained a dislocated ankle & will be lost for the season most likely. He is the 2nd wideout to suffer a severe injury, A.J. Love tore his ACL in the spring game & he too will be lost for the season. New head coach Skip Holtz is already 2 starters down before training camp even begins.
A few days ago I told you of the suspension of Arizona Wildcat receiver Delashaun Dean after he was arrested on a weapons charge for carrying a concealed handgun. Today, Dean informed coach Mike Stoops he was going to transfer to either Central Washington or Texas A&M-Kingsville, both Division II schools. This is a major loss for U of A, 132 receptions for 1,407 yards & 7 scores, tough to replace in just 3 months.
A watched a webcast of a news conference today that was very enlightening to those of us who know little about the long term impact collisions & concussions have on the human brain. Dr. Julian Bales, a neurosurgeon, former Steeler team doctor & currently the team physician for the West Virginia Mountaineerswas one of the speakers. He is also the co-founder of the Brain Injury Research Institute at the University. One of the others to speak at this press conference was Medical Examiner Bennet Omalu, also a member of the institute. They were able to examine brain tissue post mortim from football players Chris Henry, Mike Webster & Justin Strzelczyk & wrestler Chris Benoit. All four had one thing in common, they showed signs of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or CTE. This condition is, quite simply, permanent brain damage. Patients who have been diagnosed with CTE have similar symptoms, failure in personal & business relationships, use of drugs & alcohol plus severe depression & suicide. Benoit, Strzelczyk & Webster all sustained multiple concussions during their careers. Benoit killed his wife & son before hanging himself. Strzelczyk led police on a high-speed pursuit before running his car directly into a tanker truck at over 100 MPH. Webster vanished for over 4 years, living on the streets & being admitted to several mental health facilities. He died at 50. Henry was never diagnosed with a concussion either in college or as a Cincinnati Bengal. But Dr. Bales said the brain can sustain permanent damage stopping & starting. "The brain floats in fluid & it slams into the skull every time the body stops & starts at the speeds football players can attain" Bales said. Henry was one of the fastest wide receivers in the league. He was in trouble so often, a judge in Cincinnati called Henry "a one-man crime wave." He was arrested 5 times, suspended 4 times & on his "last chance", Henry seemed to be getting his football & personal life together. A lot of people were pulling for him & he was making progress before he suffered a season-ending injury in 2009. He underwent surgery & returned to Charlotte N.C. where he lived with his fiance & their 3 children. The week before Christmas, Henry & his fiance, Leilani Tonga, got into an argument & she left in Henry's pickup truck. He ran out of the house & jumped in the bed of the truck & about two miles down the road he fell or jumped from the vehicle sustaining a fatal head injury. All four of these former athletes had the same brain damage, how many more of these ticking time bombs are out there? Drs. Bales & Omalu made it clear further research is planned as several current & retired NFL players have "willed" their brains to medical science to examine after their deaths. They both said CTE will very likely be the brain condition seen most frequently in football players. As they get bigger, stronger & faster, the possibility for CTE grows every year. Rule changes & advances in equipment haven't kept up with the athletes they're designed to protect. Studies like this will definitely come into play during the CBA negotiations, there's no denying it, players put a lot on the line & some pay the ultimate price.
In a story unrelated to brain injury but just as scary for current players, former All-Pro guard, Conrad Dobler, has been told by several doctors to have his right leg amputated. The limb is covered by hideous scars from numerous knee operations & joint replacement surgeries, none of which have eased his pain. While looking for information in the Los Angeles Times about new stadiums, I came across this story on Dobler, once called "the NFL's Dirtiest Player" in a Sorts Illustrated cover story. Dobler, a Kansas City resident for 2 decades, is resisting the loss of his leg as he is the primary care giver for his wife, who in 2001, broke her neck & is a paraplegic. The 59-year old Dobler has had several financial set-backs in the hospital staffing business he operates in Kansas City & has had to drastically scale back his expenses, now the prospect of losing a leg further clouds his future. He has been an outspoken critic of the NFLPA's pension & medical insurance plans for more than a decade. This photo, from photographer Ed Zurga, should show you just how devastating a career in professional football can be.
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