CTE Hits Buffalo

Former Buffalo Bill Joe DeLamielleure and Sabres player Andrew Peters have been diagnosed with CTE. Since I am from Buffalo I follow the local news channel on twitter, and saw the article they posted about Andrew Peters. This article hits close to home since I’m from the area.

The University of Buffalo is conducting a study of former professional athletes to discover CTE to help athletes deal with the problems associated with brain damage. Peters took part in the study, the first of its kind to use hockey and football players. They used Peters because of his reputation for always getting in fights during games. I thought it was very interesting that they included Peters and are branching the study to include other professional athletes.

I’m glad that UB is getting involved in the research about CTE especially because it is a subject not many people know about. I always think it is important to try to discover ways to slow down the progression of the disease. Currently the UB study has 12 former athletes, they’re looking to get 30 former players to participate.

Student #13

Is Fantasy Football Positive or Negative for the Workplace?

Lately the question of the relevance or importance of fantasy sports has been on my mind. Most because of how much time my friends/boyfriend/brothers spend messing around with it. So I decided to look up how Fantasy Football affects the workplace.

I found out from an article that 24 million people participate in some sort of fantasy sport each year. Getting involved in these activities can lead to personal satisfaction for those who play as well as a chance to win money. But how much money does it cost employers? Lets be honest, many people check their teams while at work. Estimating that the 24 million people spend one hour a week at work looking at their team, and taking into account the average hourly wages, almost $6.5 billion is lost every 15-week fantasy season.

Thats a lot of money for employers! So the next question is, what should employers do about this? According to the article I read this $6.5 is nothing compared to what the big scheme of economics within business. Like it says in the article, “So let your fantasy football flag fly”. You might not agree, but Fantasy Football in the workplace can actually help to keep a happy work environment!

Student #13

Is Jason Collin’s Sexuality interfering with him being drafted?

After the major injury the New York Knicks experienced in this past Tuesdays basketball game against the Charlotte Bobcats, there was speculation on whether the Knicks would draft the free-agent Jason Collins. Tyson Chandler, a major player for the Knicks fractured his right leg and is expected to be out for the next 4-6 weeks. This time is crucial for the Knicks which lead to the speculation of a possible draft with Collins.

Jason Collins, still fresh in the NBA, ended last season with the Washington Wizards on pretty successful terms after a long come back from a few “funk” seasons. Jason has played for Brooklyn, Memphis, Minnesota, Boston, Atlanta and Washington through his years in the NBA and this season he is starting as a free-agent.

Jason Collins made history this April when he admitted his homosexuality. This was major deal because he was the first active male player to come out within the 4 major American pro sports. Collins was very open regarding his announcement and stated “I didn’t mean to be the first one to come out but now that I am I’m happy to say I’m different!” in a past interview. Jason participates in gay pride parades and celebrations. This proves that Collins believes he has already established a name for himself and it was time to admit to the fact he was gay.

There has been criticism and assumptions made from the media regarding why the Knicks have choose not to invest in Collins, he seems to be a perfect fit for the team regarding the current team and his stats/capabilities. Some say the Knicks don’t want to get involved with the aspect that he is openly gay and are afraid of what this would do to their team.

Based off of Collin’s preformance as a player especially ending last season, I’m confident we will see Collins appear on a major team in no time. The homosexuality is still new to the NBA and the other major American sports for that matter so it’s just another aspect teams are considering. There hasn’t been a clear consensus of acceptance for Collins so it will take time for teams to pass this by.

I found this article very interesting because we have been talking about how more professional athletes who are successful are coming out about their sexuality in class. It was also interesting in that the article started out mentioning that Collins will not be drafted by the NY Knicks as a result of Chandler’s injury but then CBS goes to mention his sexuality immediately following. Do you think the NY Knicks are shying away from drafting Collins because he is openly gay?

-Student #31

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/11/07/report-knicks-to-pass-on-free-agent-jason-collins/

A Great Weekend for Carthage Football

Over the weekend, the Carthage Comets, won their game versus Indian River Saturday night. They now carry Class A title, and won the game at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, 21-20. Watertown Daily Times reports that, the game was won within the last two minutes of the game, and what an accomplishment this was for the team. Indian River had beaten Carthage multiple times within the past few years, and prior to this game in the regular season, 48-12. The comets team along with coaching staff knew what they had to do to get the win and did so.

I am so proud of my former High School’s football team, and I wish I could have made it! This is something that I know every team member will look back on in the future as a great day.

-Student #23

A Dangerous Job People Don’t Think of

rOne of the most dangerous jobs that people don’t think of is one that is held by most teenagers and young adults.  The job is being a delivery driver for places like pizza shops and Chinese restaurants.  While delivering food a driver could be robbed, held hostage, or killed even while making their delivers.  I saw this idea while working at pizza shop in Gates, New York.  This pizza shop has a very wide delivery range that stretches and covers most of the Rochester city.  While delivering we have had people robbed, cars vandalized, and been at murder scenes.  Many crazy things can be seen while delivering for some place like this and teens and young adults are the ones doing it.

One of our drivers is in mid twenties and has been attempted to be robbed at gun point at least five times while working at the store.  The only thing that saved him from losing all they money that he had of the stores is that he has a license to own a pistol and happens to carry it while he is on deliveries.  Lucky for him he is able to protect himself.  However, it is sad that in the world today that someone like him has to carry a gun to keep himself safe while doing something to help others like delivering food.

Multiple drivers have had their cars vandalized while driving to or at their delivery cites.  People have thrown eggs at the cars of drivers while they were driving.  Some have had even rocks thrown at their car to the extent where it cracks their widow on their cars.  Some people I have heard of have even gone to the extent of slashing drivers tires while they were in a house delivering the peoples food.  It is mind blowing to me that some people have nothing better to do or are so distraught that they have to create damage like this to a persons car who is just doing his job and bring food to people.

I myself have not been robbed or had my car messed with while driving.  However, while driving in the city I have been to three homicides in the matter of the last six months.  Every time I have pulled up to a delivery the cops fly by me to where the murder was and next thing I know is when I’m walking to go to the house I am stopped so the police can put up the yellow tape.  My most recent experience was just four days ago when pulled up to the house so did the cops.  They told me to stay in the car for a minute and once they secured the area they put up the tape and I was allowed to make the delivery.  According to the guy I delivered to he heard a couple of shots and called the cops.  The guy I was delivering to lived next door to the crime scene.  The cops came over to me to get my statement however I got there when they did and didn’t see anything.  I really didn’t get why they asked me cause they passed me when going to the house so clearly I didn’t see anything because I got there when they did.

Delivering pizzas can be a very dangerous job that many people don’t think of.

Would you do it?

Student #5

Injuries to NFL Coaches

Over the past week, two NFL coaches have went down with serious injuries.  First there was John Fox, coach of the Denver Broncos, who was rushed to the hospital because of heart-attack symptoms during a round of golf in Charlotte.  Reporters later revealed that he needed a heart-valve transplant.  Then during the Sunday night football game, Gary Kubiak, coach of the Houston Texans, collapsed on the field during halftime and was rushed to the hospital.  It was later discovered that he suffered a mini-stroke and was to be kept in the hospital for 24 hours.

Personally, I found this to be very shocking.  What are the odds that not just one, but two coaches would become hospitalized in such a short period of time? I mean, come on, that’s crazy right? I just hope that both these coaches will be ok?

With that being said, its going to be really interesting to see how the players on the Denver Broncos will preform without their coach.  We already had a glimpse of the turmoil a team may face without their head coach.  During the Sunday night game, the Texans were leading the Colts going into halftime.  After halftime, after Kubiak left the game, the Texans seemed lost and out of place and the Colts took advantage of this and won the game.  However, last season the Indianapolis Colts’ coach, Chuck Pagano, was diagnosed with cancer and took a leave for half the season for treatment. During this time, the team rallied and played very well for such a young team.  They even made it to the playoffs.  So really the Bronco’s performance is up in the air in the weeks to come.

Personally, I believe that they will rally like the Colts in 2012.  I think this because of the veteran leadership in players like Wes Welker and Peyton Manning.  The team has already put up one of the best seasons, statistically, in NFL history and the team has only lost one game so far.  Just because the coach goes down doesn’t mean they will be any less productive.  I think that his injury will be a rallying point for the group of veterans and that will trickle down to the younger players.  So all in all they will use his injury as motivation to preform even better than the first half of the season.  What do you think? Will the Broncos rally or decline from the absence of their head coach John Fox?

– Student #18

Miami Dolphins Incognito Bullies Martin

Richie Incognito is a football player for the Miami Dolphins. Also playing for the Miami Dolphins is Jonathan Martin. Playing side by side the two, over 300 lb., football players obviously know each other pretty well. When Incognito was asked who is the easiest to scare on the team he went on to mention Martin. It was around this time where Incognito was suspended. Officials were soon to find out that Incognito has been sending racist texts to Martin. This led to Martin skipping practice because of emotional issues.

I think that this deserves more than a suspension. Incognito should be kicked off of the team and not be allowed to play football again. Although it seems harsh, dealing with a bully means major punishment. Also, he is known for being a dirty player and he is even a veteran. Being a veteran is a privilege. In any sport it means people look up to you for knowledge that only comes from experience. It is just appalling that he is bullying a teammate who plays on the same line as him.

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/ap-sources-incognito-racist-texts-20780476

-Student #10

Is NASCAR a Sport?

Many people argue that NASCAR is and isn’t a sport. People who believe NASCAR is a sport because it is auto racing. In the same way distance running/racing events or sprints produce a winner, NASCAR operates the same way, finish line and all. Anything that is competitive is considered a sport. I believe NASCAR is not a sport because it doesn’t take much skill to drive a car especially around in a circle. There is no trick in driving a car as fast as you can. All you have to do is put the petal to the metal. You can put the most unskilled person with the least athletic ability behind the wheel and they could probably compete. You don’t have to be physically fit to compete with others. You can be the biggest slob and win a race. Plus who can sit and watch cars drive around and around in a circle for several laps. To me that doesn’t seem to interesting. Interesting would be something that catches your eye like a big hit or a physical event. Cars crashing would make NASCAR interesting only if people didn’t get hurt or killed. If they changed NASCAR where you can bump and hit cars without getting penalties. This change might catch more people’s attention and change their opinion on whether or not NASCAR is a sport because it is entertaining.

-Student #12

Bullying at the workplace: NFL Edition

In most recent news from this past weekend, the Miami Dolphins have acquired some media attention. The buzz isn’t about their play on the field but rather the interaction between two players, Johnathon Martin and Richie Incognito. Beginning in April, Incognito had sent various messages to Martin, a second year player, contained profane language, racial epithets, and derogatory terms referring to the female anatomy and sexual orientation. Sources confirm that Incognito used this kind of language on multiple occasions, making it not just an isolated act. This news has only surfaced due to the leaving of Martin after a lunchroom incident a week ago. As a result, Incognito has been suspended indefinitely by the organization as the NFL undergoes an investigation.

There has been very strong reaction as to the atmosphere of the incident. Many people feel there may be a correlation between hazing and bullying. Football generally has a right of passage, but there is a fine line between the two acts. This isn’t Incognito’s first incident while harassment. In 2009, he had a verbal altercation with Steve Spanuolo, his head coach. Incognito has gone through therapy concerning his anger management and substance abuse.

With the nature of the incident, some people question whether or not he should be allowed to play in the league. Should he? If so, do you believe any team would take a chance on him? Why didn’t this issue come up sooner? These guys have worked together for months now but no one ever said anything. The workplace is no place to experience this, but with the environment in which football is immersed in, there are two ways of handling the situation: Suck it up and keep playing or go to management and report the incident. How would you handle it? Many questions that are left to be answered as this story develops.

– Student #26

NBA analysts and NBA fans have questioned who truly is the greatest of all time in basketball history ever since LeBron James has begun to be this generation’s Michael Jordan. However, just because LeBron is considered the best now, does this make him better than MJ? In my opinion, this shouldn’t even be a question – obviously not.

Many people say that just because LeBron is 40 pounds heavier and 2 inches taller than Michael Jordan in his prime that he would somehow have leverage if they were to play a one on one game of basketball. Yet, although LeBron is undeniably talented, he just does not compare to Jordan’s stats or talent. For instance, MJ’s stats consist of this:

30.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 5.3 apg, 50% shooting, 33% three point shooting, 6 championships, 5 MVPS, 10 scoring titles.

While LeBron’s stats are as followed:

27.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 6.9 apg, 49% shooting, 33% three-point shooting. 2 championships, 3 MVPs, 1 scoring title.

Is it possible for LeBron to one day compare to Michael Jordan’s stats? Perhaps so, but he would have to remain the best player in the world until his mid-30s and continue dominating for 5 more years of his career.

Regardless of the stats, however, Michael Jordan played in a complete different era of basketball than the current state that LeBron plays in. In the 90’s and 00’s, the game was played much dirtier than how it is played now. Basketball was forced to evolve, like all sports, to become more safe for the players and more fair; however, MJ broke through all those restraints. If you were to place LeBron in a game from back then, it would be rather interesting to see how he’d do.

LeBron may be the best in the NBA currently, but he must continue to be the best if he will ever past Jordan as the greatest of all time. He needs to average 27-7-7 win four titles and continue to be better than Kevin Durant for the next half-decade.

There still will be those who argue that James is the G.O.A.T., but it is evident that he has a long way to go to even compare to Jordan and his stats.

-Student #27