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49ers Standout Rookie Chris Borland Walks Away From the Game, Citing Risks to Brain

Wow. I don't know whether to be impressed or just baffled.

I think more "impressed," because very few people make very gutsy, life-changing, proactive decisions. Most people will just go along on whatever path they're on without thinking about it all that much. Told that there is a risk of something bad happening in the future, most people will tend to ignore this, pretend that a low percentage risk is actually a zero percentage risk, or put it out of mind by telling themselves they'll be one of the lucky ones.

This guy, on the other hand, is told that there is a risk he'll have reduced brain function later in life if he takes more concussions -- something most athletes would blow off -- and he says Okay I'm done with professional football, then.

I wonder what his Plan B is.


SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Wary of head trauma, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Chris Borland is leaving football....

So now, after one stellar rookie season, he is retiring at age 24.

The 49ers announced his decision Monday night, without offering specifics. But Borland told ESPN’s "Outside the Lines" earlier in the day he wants to do "what's best for my health."

Borland had a team-leading 108 tackles as a rookie, emerging as a punishing defender. He also had a sack and two interceptions.

"From what I've researched and what I've experienced, I don't think it's worth the risk," Borland said in the interview. "I feel largely the same, as sharp as I've ever been. For me, it's wanting to be proactive. I'm concerned that if you wait till you have symptoms, it’s too late."

Unless I'm missing something, I don't see any recent concussions that Borland would be concerned about -- the article talks only of a late-season ankle injury which, while I'm sure it was painful and difficult during rehab, is, let's face it, just an ankle.

I also wonder how this guy is going to settle into Real Life, real life where you're not treated like a superhero. People don't cheer and chant your name when you successfully hand them a set of car keys at Enterprise.

Kind of interesting on a human level, I think.

Not Really A History of Concussions:


Hell, at his age, most men will have had one concussion and maybe two. (Men do more stuff where you could get a concussion.) So he really hadn't had any more concussions than the average 24 year old would have, and he hadn't had one since high school.

But he's quitting the NFL over pure research into the issue, without any elevated personal risk?

Very odd.

Posted by: Ace at 01:45 PM




Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 How much did he earn in his one season?

Posted by: toby928(C) at March 17, 2015 01:47 PM (rwI+c)

2 I expect Scott Walker to do this soon, to avoid risks to his brain.

Posted by: Roy at March 17, 2015 01:48 PM (VndSC)

3 He definitely should have checked his Priviledge before retiring.

Posted by: MSNBCer at March 17, 2015 01:49 PM (S+el1)

4 Football isn't the most dangerous thing you can do.

Posted by: Zombie Pat Tillman at March 17, 2015 01:49 PM (YEelc)

5 My question is, "How much guaranteed money was in his contract?"

Posted by: Country Singer at March 17, 2015 01:49 PM (8hctH)

6 Barack Obama is a SCOAMT.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at March 17, 2015 01:49 PM (kff5f)

7 1
420k rookie season 154K signing bonus

Posted by: wrg500 at March 17, 2015 01:49 PM (S+el1)

8 Burn it down.
Scatter the stones.
Salt the earth where it stood.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at March 17, 2015 01:49 PM (kff5f)

9 He did have two earlier ones as a youngun, so he doesn't want to see strike three.

Posted by: Roy at March 17, 2015 01:49 PM (VndSC)

10 Time to find on Netflix North Dallas Forty?

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at March 17, 2015 01:50 PM (tr/8D)

11 Heard this this morning.

There are retired players, in their 50's, who can name the days of the week......but can't put them in the right order. Too many knocks to the old coconut in their playing days.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 17, 2015 01:50 PM (LA7Cm)

12 You don't have to play football to get brain damage, that's for sure.

Posted by: Joe Biden at March 17, 2015 01:50 PM (lG2E3)

13 Football isn't the most dangerous thing you can do.
___
Yep.

Posted by: The State Media spewing lies about Darrell Wilson at March 17, 2015 01:50 PM (78TbK)

14 Still drives a car, probably walks up stairs without any kind of safety harness, showers in the standing position, doesn't wear a face mask out doors...

Posted by: Anderson Cooper's Novel Writing Robot at March 17, 2015 01:50 PM (Q819Q)

15 I hope he saved up a lot of money.

Maybe he has a decent degree and can get a job like the rest of us.

There's always reality TV.

Posted by: chique d'afrique (the artist formerly known as african chick) at March 17, 2015 01:51 PM (shFKH)

16 Six or seven hundred thousand a year.

Posted by: Joe Biden at March 17, 2015 01:51 PM (b4JMJ)

17 I'm thinking there's something more going on here than just this. By the time you get to the NFL you should know something about concussions.

Posted by: joncelli at March 17, 2015 01:51 PM (RD7QR)

18 7
617K guaranteed on a 2.9 million contract (4 yrs.)

Posted by: wrg500 at March 17, 2015 01:51 PM (S+el1)

19 There is a solution here: externally padded helmets. A couple of players have worn them in the past, most notably 49ers offensive lineman Steve Wallace on those stellar teams in the 90s. However too few wear them because of the aesthetics.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 17, 2015 01:51 PM (659DL)

20 This guy's agent Hardest Hit.

Posted by: Garrett at March 17, 2015 01:51 PM (ZtyJy)

21 Give him some credit. He got out, before starting to suck like Jay Cutler.

Posted by: Roy at March 17, 2015 01:52 PM (VndSC)

22 I can name the days of the week. Almost every time I get them in the right order!

Posted by: Meghan McCain at March 17, 2015 01:52 PM (7RXcs)

23 This does NOT pass the smell test. That or he won the lottery, his parents are rich, or he just married the hottest rich cheerleader on the team.




I hoping for number three.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 17, 2015 01:52 PM (0FSuD)

24 "From what I've researched and what I've experienced, I don't think it's worth the risk,"
***
Apparently he's looking at how much 420k a year will be worth after Obama-flation kicks in.

Posted by: 18-1 at March 17, 2015 01:52 PM (78TbK)

25 Ace one of the other articles I had read on this said doctors had found something wrong and he more at risk than other football players.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 17, 2015 01:52 PM (wlDny)

26 Unless I missed it (please don't correct me if I did- I need hope when it presents itself), I'm also impressed that he didn't blame the NFL for "not being serious enough about the health of its players."

That he looked and said, "Hey, my living is to play a game wherein concussions are not only possible, but likely to occur. Enough concussions can have lasting consequences I don't want. Okay- out," instead of blaming his choice on "the NFL," as though he did not have free will.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at March 17, 2015 01:52 PM (kff5f)

27 There's always reality TV.
___
Yes there is...

Posted by: Michael Sams at March 17, 2015 01:53 PM (78TbK)

28 Probably half that after taxes.

Posted by: Boss Moss at March 17, 2015 01:53 PM (b4JMJ)

29 At least he's smart enough to know that there's a trade off between the money he makes and the risks associated. A lot of these athletes seem gobsmacked when they have long term health problems whether it's brain damage from concussions, kidney problems from cortisone overuse, or heart problems from steroids. I always wonder: did you not think it was odd you were getting paid so much to play with a ball?

Posted by: Naes at March 17, 2015 01:53 PM (YhayY)

30 I can name the days of the week. Almost every time I get them in the right order!

Posted by: Meghan McCain>>>

Mac and Cheese day
Pizza day
Burger day...

Posted by: Buzzsaw at March 17, 2015 01:53 PM (tf9Ne)

31 2
I expect Scott Walker to do this soon, to avoid risks to his brain.

Posted by: Roy at March 17, 2015 01:48 PM (VndSC)

He'll still be able to help Hillary with her walker, so he'll be a Walker walker!

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 17, 2015 01:53 PM (0FSuD)

32

Well, guess good luck finding the same pay with your History BA.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 17, 2015 01:54 PM (kdS6q)

33
No one asked him what his plans were? What was his major?

Posted by: Bruce J. at March 17, 2015 01:54 PM (iQIUe)

34 You don't have to play football to get brain damage, that's for sure.

Sometimes just standing on the sidelines you can suffer the effects.

brb: Got Tebow on hold

Posted by: Chip Kelly at March 17, 2015 01:54 PM (xQX/f)

35 Maybe he actually graduated with a college degree in something useful?

Posted by: rd at March 17, 2015 01:54 PM (JMsTM)

36 He went to the University of Wisconsin. Doesn't that mean his brain is already damaged from too much drinking?

Posted by: Dave at March 17, 2015 01:55 PM (+vJK2)

37 I predict this might be on the next Drift Compatible podcast?

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at March 17, 2015 01:55 PM (tr/8D)

38 Signed with a $600K bonus, but not a lot (in the big scheme of things) on the guaranteed side: http://tinyurl.com/pno5vbv



Seems he was a history major. It'll be interesting to see what he does post-football.

Posted by: Country Singer at March 17, 2015 01:55 PM (8hctH)

39 Cozy up To Teh Fabulous Gheighs Day
Attack Conservatives Day
Try Hard to Be Relevant Day (MY FAVE :-))

Posted by: Meghan McCain at March 17, 2015 01:55 PM (7RXcs)

40
The real conversation we should be having is how a Priviledged White player has the luxury of retiring when he wants and not fearing about his future while the Black players have to continue to play and risk serious injury because America has so few opportunities for young black men to get a job and have a career.

Black football players are modern-day gladiators.

Posted by: MSNBCer at March 17, 2015 01:55 PM (S+el1)

41 Someone said he earned about 850k plus another 600k. That's not that much. Subtract taxes and what he owes his manager and crap. I assume he will not stay in SF and go live somewhere affordable.

Posted by: Bruce J. at March 17, 2015 01:55 PM (iQIUe)

42 Seems he was a history major. It'll be interesting to see what he does post-football.

He'll land at ESPN, or ABC Sports, or something.

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at March 17, 2015 01:55 PM (kff5f)

43 He had shoulder and other issues at Wisconsin, that's why he dropped in the draft. Let's face it, not everyone's body is going to take the punishment of professional football. I think he seen the writing on the wall, he may have had the heart and even the skill to play the game, the body on the other hand just wasn't having it.

Posted by: lowandslow at March 17, 2015 01:56 PM (7Nq2G)

44 Seems he was a history major. It'll be interesting to see what he does post-football.

Posted by: Country Singer

What they all do. Sell insurance.

Posted by: Hobbitopoly at March 17, 2015 01:56 PM (ivILK)

45 Or it could be that he's surrounded by San Francisco commie assholes who over think everything.

Posted by: Anthropology Guy at March 17, 2015 01:56 PM (szne4)

46 One concussion is more than enough trust me.

Posted by: The Gerat White Scotsman at March 17, 2015 01:56 PM (4oSLk)

47 36
He went to the University of Wisconsin. Doesn't that mean his brain is already damaged from too much drinking exposure to too many crazy liberals?

Posted by: Dave at March 17, 2015 01:55 PM (+vJK2)

FIFY

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 17, 2015 01:56 PM (0FSuD)

48 I'm retiring from a lucrative future career of banging supermodels because I am concerned about injuries to my wang.
Yeah, that's the ticket!

Posted by: wooga at March 17, 2015 01:56 PM (OoVgj)

49 I wonder how the NFL's concussion rates compare with say any of the Rugby Leagues's. Or the AFL's.

Posted by: Anderson Cooper's Novel Writing Robot at March 17, 2015 01:57 PM (Q819Q)

50 If he doesn't know how to do anything, he can always teach.

Posted by: Boss Moss at March 17, 2015 01:57 PM (b4JMJ)

51 I wonder what his Plan B is.

He's got a bachelors degree in history from Wisconsin (and it's paid for). Not the worst thing. Plus, he's got great name recognition from retiring on top instead of fizzling out.

This was interesting. Maurice Clarett of all people points out that football players getting bullshit degrees are only going to damage themselves.
http://is.gd/JaOUVV

Posted by: HR braucht ein Bier at March 17, 2015 01:57 PM (/kI1Q)

52 I applaud him for dropping out rather than playing and then blaming the NFL for some future issue.

But I was a little surprised that he seems to have been a history major at Wisconsin. I was half-expecting to see that he'd gotten an MBA or some other degree that had more likely non-football career track.

I wish him well, in any event.

Posted by: Y-not at March 17, 2015 01:57 PM (9BRsg)

53 I think it's legit. Linebackers and running backs are most at risk, according to an ex-NFL linebacker on a local sports radio network. They (RBs and LBs) take and make more hits at speed than any other position (go ahead and argue, you're arguing with an ex-NFL linebacker, not me).

Anyway, some guys will tell you that it is absolutely worth it and some, like this guy, will tell you it isn't. I have a ton of respect for this guy; we're talking millions in lost compensation (and let's face it, mediocre talent in the NFL makes millions every season).

Posted by: scooter (not libby) at March 17, 2015 01:57 PM (WKeEA)

54
Maybe he wants to go to grad school. Problem with sports casting is who wants someone who is going to advise everyone to quit?

Posted by: Bruce J. at March 17, 2015 01:58 PM (iQIUe)

55 420k rookie season 154K signing bonus

-
That'll keep him in Starbucks for a while.

Posted by: The Great White Snark at March 17, 2015 01:58 PM (XUKZU)

56 What they all do. Sell insurance.


Posted by: Hobbitopoly at March 17, 2015 01:56 PM (ivILK)


Meh. My best friend has a BA and MA in History. He's a pretty successful farmer.

Posted by: Country Singer at March 17, 2015 01:58 PM (8hctH)

57 Let's see how he feels after burning through his rookie guaranteed money and is deciding between a career in burgers or plumbing.

Posted by: Anthropology Guy at March 17, 2015 01:58 PM (szne4)

58 Bwah! Who needs brains when you have steel?!

Posted by: Conan The Sumarian at March 17, 2015 01:58 PM (FnHBZ)

59 Just another data point for me that football is facing a demographic problem which will really start to surface when high schools start to eliminate it as a sport due to costs and injury concerns.

Posted by: SH at March 17, 2015 01:58 PM (gmeXX)

60 If he doesn't know how to do anything, he can always teach.

-
He could do that with a brain injury.

Posted by: The Great White Snark at March 17, 2015 01:58 PM (XUKZU)

61 I quit practicing law for the same reason.

Posted by: A Tourney at Law at March 17, 2015 01:58 PM (7u7u7)

62 As a UW-Madison alum, I saw many of Borland's games. He is quite possibly the smartest linebacker I have ever seen. He knew just where to be on the field. NFL scouts doubted his potential because they thought that his arms were too short. In his rookie season, he proved them wrong.

I have only touted the potential of two other Badgers in recent years like I did his, Russell Wilson and JJ Watt. He's in their league. Additionally, like many other Badgers, he spent four years in Madison. I don't know if he got his degree, but if he didn't, he's not far off. He also was dedicated to the community, spending hundreds of hours doing community service.

He seems to me, an outside observer granted, a really smart guy. Maybe that's being shown by his actions.

Posted by: calbadger at March 17, 2015 01:58 PM (rKRC9)

63 Well he didn't play in the SEC so he can probable read. So, he's got that going for him.

Posted by: wrg500 at March 17, 2015 01:59 PM (S+el1)

64 Leather Helmets with no Face masks will fix this problem quickly.

Posted by: Super Creepy Eric Hoteham at March 17, 2015 01:59 PM (oDCMR)

65 Posted by: Y-not at March 17, 2015 01:57 PM (9BRsg)



Entirely possible that he uses his NFL earnings to pay for grad school. Sure does help avoid that student loan issue.

Posted by: Country Singer at March 17, 2015 01:59 PM (8hctH)

66 There are retired players, in their 50's, who can name the days of the week......but can't put them in the right order. Too many knocks to the old coconut in their playing days.
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 17, 2015 01:50 PM (LA7Cm)


--------------------------------------------


But I would probably bet on the fact that they are the few. Dumb people will blame anything or anyone for being dumb. I've met a few ex-pro football players. None of them seem worse for the wear. There was a couple though that were just dumb, and had always been dumb.

Posted by: Soona at March 17, 2015 01:59 PM (/HX7u)

67 This concussion syndrome stuff is all BS!

I remember the good old days when Rockford, McGarrett, and Mannix were getting pistol whipped and knocked out every other week. They never suffered any ill effects.

Kids these days are pussies, with their cyber forensics and DNA crap.

Posted by: TV is reality at March 17, 2015 01:59 PM (JMsTM)

68 But I was a little surprised that he seems to have been a history major at Wisconsin.

So was I, but because history is a semi-legit field of study.

Posted by: HR braucht ein Bier at March 17, 2015 02:00 PM (/kI1Q)

69 Maybe he'll try a wuss sport like rugby!

Posted by: Caliban at March 17, 2015 02:00 PM (DrC22)

70 If you make several hundred thousand your first year and save that money that's a nice nest egg to start off your life. He graduated college presumably with no debt, and he's 24...this seems very sensible.

Posted by: Lea at March 17, 2015 02:00 PM (lIU4e)

71 OT/ so Hillary didn't sign a statement when She left State Dept. How absolutist convenient...

Posted by: hello, it's Me Donna ....again at March 17, 2015 02:00 PM (Bn6aD)

72 So he's taking his $575,000 or so and going off to a fresh start in a non concussive occupation.

45 years ago I had occasion to work with a fellow who was employed as a commercial artist for an oil company. He'd been a big deal in his Texas town, an even bigger deal at Wichita State in college basketball He lasted maybe 3 years with the Lakers before his knees were shot. He was going to walk with some difficulty for the rest of his life.

Sometimes you need to know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. Sounds like Chris Borland made the right call for Chris Borland. And that's all he's obligated to do.

Posted by: Comanche Voter at March 17, 2015 02:00 PM (wdHk6)

73 That he hasn't had a concussion in college or his one pro season doesn't mean he isn't at risk. One serious concussion could end it. All football players are at elevated risk. He's not quitting over research. He's quitting over an increasing pattern of evidence of former football players havin issues due to concussions.

Posted by: Titanium at March 17, 2015 02:00 PM (z6k39)

74 Being old, I can tell you shit that happens in your 20's, which you blow off, comes back to bite you in the ass and doesn't go away.



Four torn rotator cuffs, three broken ribs, a broken knee cap and a dick that has shrunken to 12 inches.




Posted by: Nip Sip at March 17, 2015 02:00 PM (0FSuD)

75 His hanger-ons are not going to be happy.

Posted by: Naes at March 17, 2015 02:00 PM (YhayY)

76 There have been cases of former NFL players committing suicide, which some believe can be partially attributed to multiple concussions. Getting out before that type of damage occurs? Not necessarily a bad thing.

Posted by: physics geek at March 17, 2015 02:00 PM (MT22W)

77 Anyone seen Jim McMahon around lately?

Posted by: OregonMuse at March 17, 2015 02:00 PM (zfj83)

78 It's not just the concussions. This guy's job was to hit his head on something on every play. No helmet is going to prevent that amount of collisions from causing irreparable damage.

I assume he's got enough White Privilege to realize he doesn't have to play football to have a fulfilling life.

Posted by: FDR's Television at March 17, 2015 02:01 PM (ne2fm)

79 Going out on a limb and saying it has nothing to do with concussions. We may never know what the real reason is.

I'm going to guess there are NFL players out there, who are beating their girlfriends and wives, for example, and instead of having another big, splashy p.r. disaster, the league gives the guy a chance to say "this is because I fear concussions."

Sign a piece of paper, we keep it quiet, and you still get a little something something under the table.

I know nothing of this guy, so that's just one wild guess. Could be any number of others. It's worth noting, this is the second Niners linebacker to retire early in a matter of weeks.

Posted by: BurtTC at March 17, 2015 02:01 PM (TOk1P)

80 Garo Yepremian is part of the suit against the NFL. I guess he sustained foot concussions.

Posted by: St. Patrick at March 17, 2015 02:01 PM (U8pol)

81 NFL scouts doubted his potential because they thought that his arms were too short.

Like little T Rex arms?

Posted by: wooga at March 17, 2015 02:01 PM (OoVgj)

82 Well, he's no Pat Tillman.

Posted by: Garrett at March 17, 2015 02:01 PM (ZtyJy)

83 47
36
He went to the University of Wisconsin. Doesn't that mean his brain is already damaged from too much drinking exposure to too many crazy liberals?
Posted by: Dave at March 17, 2015 01:55 PM (+vJK2)

FIFY


Posted by: Nip Sip at March 17, 2015 01:56 PM (0FSuD)

No shit. UW is the worst in the Big10 and one of the most liberal in the nation. Always hear of "stupid liberal tricks" coming out of Madison.

Posted by: 1bulwetweft at March 17, 2015 02:01 PM (gfB4n)

84 You'd think Hillary would quit for the same reasons. The risk of falling while using a walker is very high.

Posted by: Foghorn Leghorn at March 17, 2015 02:01 PM (UhRGU)

85 How much was his signing bonus and does he get to keep it all if he doesn't fulfill his 3 year contract?

Posted by: Super Creepy Eric Hoteham at March 17, 2015 02:01 PM (oDCMR)

86 >>OT/ so Hillary didn't sign a statement when She left State Dept. How absolutist convenient...

And entirely predictable. I knew she would never have signed it.

Posted by: Lizzy at March 17, 2015 02:01 PM (bdqzU)

87 49ers are really going to suck now. On the upside, the sooper bowl is in SF (actually San Jose) next year, so maybe whatever players they have left can work the concession stands....

Posted by: the Butcher at March 17, 2015 02:02 PM (fUjxW)

88
Chris Borland, alongside fellow UW student-athlete Monica Whitehouse, were Wisconsin's recipients of the 2014 Big Ten Conference Outstanding Sportsmanship Award. He was also named the 2014 UW Student-Athlete of the Year.

So maybe he learned something in school and can earn a regular living.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at March 17, 2015 02:02 PM (JtwS4)

89 Plenty of Government jobs for brain damaged folks. It's cake. And you get to fail up. Dibs on President yo!

Posted by: HEAD Scientist (wink wink), Dept. of Posterior at March 17, 2015 02:02 PM (7u7u7)

90 I seem to recall that before helmets concussions never happened or were rare. Vic probably remembers those early games.

Posted by: SE Pa Moron at March 17, 2015 02:02 PM (xQX/f)

91 Ace,

My understanding of the current medical thought is that the long-term damage is likely caused by micro-concussions that don't show up on MRI's. Basically, any time you bang your head hard enough on something to cause the brain to hit the skull, you are risking a very small amount of damage. When you are hitting your brain against your skull dozens of times a day for 8 months out of the year every year from age 12 on, the cumulative damage can be pretty substantial even without any major traumatic events.

Posted by: Komissar Vladimir at March 17, 2015 02:02 PM (voUxQ)

92 He's make a smart, thoughtful choice based on the existing evidence of long-term risk (and it is a pretty awful risk) of playing football long-term.

And the research from recent years shows that it isn't just a number of concussions which can cause CTE and other degenerative brain damage. It's the repeated mini-traumas to the head that happen in football that don't cause concussions. These things add up, not infrequently giving rise to CTE.

Posted by: Mark Twain at March 17, 2015 02:02 PM (ibvmu)

93 It has been reported that he may have had a 3rd concussion during his first training camp with the 49ers (or at least he believes he did, even if he did not go through the protocol):

http://tinyurl.com/ka38xlo

Posted by: Matt at March 17, 2015 02:03 PM (T8INa)

94
I probably signed the form, but in the grand scheme of things, who gives a big fuck?

Posted by: Sir Rodham the Invincible at March 17, 2015 02:03 PM (P330y)

95 I am sure he got another job lined up. This is sort of an attention whore move so I am going to say sports journalism. He could've just quit instead of making it about concussions. He clearly wanted to make a statement.


Posted by: ThunderB, PinUpWhoreBabyMachine at March 17, 2015 02:03 PM (zOTsN)

96 He's 24 and probably has 3-400k in the bank.

He's in the top .1% of people his age and now can look forward to a normal life expectancy, unlike the typical NFL player.

I don't see any problem with his personal decision.

Posted by: Meremortal at March 17, 2015 02:04 PM (1Y+hH)

97 UW is the worst in the Big10

It's a pretty tough race to the bottom with UIowa.

Posted by: HR braucht ein Bier at March 17, 2015 02:04 PM (/kI1Q)

98 90 I seem to recall that before helmets concussions never happened or were rare.

Because other players weren't assholes.
"Me have helmet, so now me smash heads with you!"

Posted by: wooga at March 17, 2015 02:04 PM (OoVgj)

99 BTW

NYPost has "elite" sex party follow up

Posted by: ThunderB, PinUpWhoreBabyMachine at March 17, 2015 02:04 PM (zOTsN)

100 There have been cases of former NFL players
committing suicide, which some believe can be partially attributed to
multiple concussions. Getting out before that type of damage occurs? Not
necessarily a bad thing.



Posted by: physics geek at March 17, 2015 02:00 PM (MT22W)


Anyone who commits suicide, even if they leave a note saying "I'm committing suicide because of concussions," will never leave behind enough evidence as to why they committed suicide, because it's not possible for any other human to understand what was happening inside that person's head.

Junior Seau for example, people can speculate all they want. We'll never really know. My speculation is he did it because of mental illness, having essentially nothing to do with concussions.

Posted by: BurtTC at March 17, 2015 02:04 PM (TOk1P)

101 77 Anyone seen Jim McMahon around lately?
Posted by: OregonMuse at March 17, 2015 02:00 PM (zfj83)

No, but I ran into Steve Young a couple of years ago, and he still seemed to have his wits about him.

Posted by: Komissar Vladimir at March 17, 2015 02:05 PM (voUxQ)

102 How long did Biden play?

Posted by: Zap Rowsdower at March 17, 2015 02:05 PM (MMC8r)

103 Go down close to the field of play and see what each one of those 108 tackles is really like - a bit like an auto wreck, each time. Being tackled isn't necessarily the most dangerous & risky spot, many tacklers stick their head into the upper chest of the 200+ pound guy running at them that they are trying to tackle.

Posted by: steve walsh at March 17, 2015 02:05 PM (9TS9J)

104 I'll have to see their high school and "college" transcripts before determining causation.

Posted by: Magistrate Timmy at March 17, 2015 02:05 PM (7u7u7)

105
My understanding of the current medical thought is that the
long-term damage is likely caused by micro-concussions that don't show
up on MRI's. Basically, any time you bang your head hard enough on
something to cause the brain to hit the skull, you are risking a very
small amount of damage.




So this explains it. All the times I have hit my head into a wall after Goldwater lost in 1964.



I am lucky I can still walk.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 17, 2015 02:05 PM (0FSuD)

106 I would also like to put out the possibility that he's banging a super hawt uber liberal babe who doesn't want him playing that cis-nomative game of the patriarchy. The concussion thingy is just trying to take a halfway manly way out.

Posted by: Soona at March 17, 2015 02:05 PM (/HX7u)

107 NYPost has "elite" sex party follow up
Posted by: ThunderB, PinUpWhoreBabyMachine at March 17, 2015 02:04 PM (zOTsN)

-----

...sucking champagne from a womans ass again???

Posted by: fixerupper at March 17, 2015 02:06 PM (NaV4z)

108 Hopefully he got a college degree in something that he can earn a living on.

Posted by: deepred at March 17, 2015 02:06 PM (xv5cf)

109 White Privilege.

the Black Man takes his brain damage and he LOVES IT!

Posted by: Tom Servo at March 17, 2015 02:06 PM (Kpl3J)

110 Uhh... I've had 2 concussions in my life and I'm not a professional athlete.

Weird.

Also, theres a documentary on netflix right now that follows some pro athletes 10 years after they retire and shows how they're all broke.

Like, guys blew $100 million in a matter of a few years. Which I have to imagine is hard to do.

So, maybe he's really not f'ing himself over as bad as it sounds.

Posted by: mynewhandle at March 17, 2015 02:06 PM (AkOaV)

111
now can look forward to a normal life expectancy, unlike the typical NFL player.
Posted by: Meremortal




There are, what -- thousands of current, and 10s of thousands of recent and former NFL players.

Are there hundreds of them dropping dead every month from gruesome and untimely deaths?

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 17, 2015 02:07 PM (kdS6q)

112 I don't like the way Drudge is running Bibi election. Sounds like he's heard Bibi is going down.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 17, 2015 02:07 PM (0FSuD)

113 Pffft! I've had three concussions, and I'm doing just

.
.
.

Posted by: Marmo at March 17, 2015 02:07 PM (QW+AD)

114 Concussion does lead to depression. History of concussion does have a higher suicide rate

Posted by: ThunderB, PinUpWhoreBabyMachine at March 17, 2015 02:08 PM (zOTsN)

115 Alright, which one of you morons is behind the Spirit Airlines 69 promotion?

Posted by: junior at March 17, 2015 02:08 PM (UWFpX)

116
Kebab? Or evil ISIS commander??

Either way, Carve It Up!!

http://goo.gl/m4fzth

Posted by: Bruce J. at March 17, 2015 02:08 PM (iQIUe)

117 Posted by: steve walsh at March 17, 2015 02:05 PM (9TS9J)

Even when I played football back in high school, they always taught you to tackle someone while looking at them.

a) makes them harder to get away from you
b) forced you to keep your head up and not spear the guy, which could get you a penalty, or more likely, cause long term brain problems.

So... you won't see too many pros or even college athletes tackle someone by leading with their head.

Posted by: mynewhandle at March 17, 2015 02:08 PM (AkOaV)

118 Junior Seau just e-mailed to say: "What a pussy!"

Oh, wait. No he didn't.

He shot himself in the heart 2012 as a result of having a brain injury, making sure that his brain was saved for research.

Posted by: Sharkman at March 17, 2015 02:09 PM (72D6h)

119 It looks to me, from many of the comments, that there's people here that have never stepped onto a football field, let alone actually play it.

It's a wonderful game. A warrior's game.

Posted by: Soona at March 17, 2015 02:09 PM (/HX7u)

120 Posted by: ThunderB, PinUpWhoreBabyMachine at March 17, 2015 02:08 PM (zOTsN)

It seems likely that there is a correlation.

We don't really know enough about the human brain yet to know exactly what happens when the brain gets bounced around, but the more we know the worse it sounds.

Posted by: mynewhandle at March 17, 2015 02:09 PM (AkOaV)

121 Will Romney get a concussion from Holyfield?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at March 17, 2015 02:10 PM (W5DcG)

122 He made a decision to quit because of a potential risk. That does not make him specially deserving of praise or condemnation.

Posted by: St. Patrick at March 17, 2015 02:10 PM (U8pol)

123
I seem to recall that before helmets concussions never happened or were rare. Vic probably remembers those early games.

Posted by: SE Pa Moron at March 17, 2015 02:02 PM (xQX/f)


Here's a little story for the youngsters: Once upon a time, players didn't have a ton of protective gear. So when you went to tackle somebody, you had to, you know, tackle him. None of this launching yourself as a human missile, because you THINK you are protected.


There's a ton of film out there on guys like Butkus, Nitschke, Karras. If the youngsters watch those guys what they will see is wrapping their arms around the opponent, and tossing him to the ground. Or shoulders hitting bodies. Not a lot of head first nonsense.

Today though, these guys think they are immune to head trauma, in SPITE of all the information out there.


So kids, learn to tackle like a real man. Then you can play a nice long career.

The end.

Posted by: BurtTC at March 17, 2015 02:10 PM (TOk1P)

124 I totally understand. The prospect of cognitive damage is one of my greatest fears - for my entire life. Used to have nightmares of losing my ability to read. To me, it was like some people's fear of being buried alive.

It's what got me to give up drinking - the prospect of "Lost Time" and blacking out for weeks if not months. That scared me so much that I have never touched a drop since being told I was courting such a thing happening if I continued to drink.

Posted by: Inspector Cussword at March 17, 2015 02:10 PM (scgac)

125 I didn't even know about this issue until my local coffee shop brought it up.

Posted by: Shoot Me at March 17, 2015 02:11 PM (EQcfE)

126 He is a Linebacker.... ie those that hit the most...

making $600K a year....

Stuck on a mediocre team...

If he has lost his love of the game....

Good decision...

Posted by: BB Wolf at March 17, 2015 02:11 PM (qh617)

127 He just didn't want to have to try and tackle the Seahawk's Lynch again.

Posted by: Diogenes at March 17, 2015 02:11 PM (08Znv)

128 >>85How much was his signing bonus and does he get to keep it all if he doesn't fulfill his 3 year contract?Posted by: Super Creepy Eric Hoteham at March 17, 2015 02:01 PM (oDCMR)<<His signing bonus was a little over 600K and the 49ers have the ability to ask for the prorated portion back; however, they have not done so as of yet. Borland made 420K in salary last year.

Posted by: MacGruber at March 17, 2015 02:11 PM (S+el1)

129 People don't cheer and chant your name when you successfully hand them a set of car keys at Enterprise.

Posted by: Ace at 01:45 PM

Your implicit mockery aside, there is very little work of less value than that of a professional athlete.

The businesses themselves employ relatively few people compared to their revenues, because so much of that revenue goes to the tiny number of athletes who play the games.

He might do much more for society if he hands those keys to real live working people who need that rental car to create value...

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 17, 2015 02:11 PM (Zu3d9)

130 When I was in 7th grade, a friend and I were sliding down a handrail on an outside cement staircase at school. My technique was to straddle the rail and slide backwards. But my friend said it was better to go "sidesaddle," i.e. sitting on it with both legs on the same side. I said that seemed dangerous, because one could fall over he other side if one wasn't perfectly balanced, but my friend insisted that I try sliding down the handrail sidesaddle.

I did.

I fell over backwards as I slid, just as I had feared.

The back of my head hit the concrete with the full force of my body sliding and falling behind it.

I "saw stars" and was knocked out cold unconscious.

When I came to, my friend and three other kids were standing over me, trying to wake me up. They told me I had been unconscious for 10 minutes.

I tried to get up but was extremely dizzy and fell back down, twice. Eventually I just sat there, trying to recover, until the bell rang indicating lunch period was over. I staggered to class.

I immediately had a huge lump on my head where I had landed, and the next day it was gigantic. Luckily my long hair hid it pretty well. Took a few months for it to subside, but it never did fully -- to this day I have a bump on the back of my head where I hit it that day.

I suppose now, in retrospect, that I had gotten a serious concussion. But we never told any adults about it, fearing we'd "get in trouble" -- which, in fact, we would have (our school had a brutal policy of punishing kids who injured themselves -- detention, suspension, etc.).

Posted by: zombie at March 17, 2015 02:11 PM (K4YiS)

131 I think there is also a problem with repeated head trauma that doesn't rise to the level of a concussion. Still ends up being pretty damaging.

Posted by: BuckIV at March 17, 2015 02:12 PM (CLfqv)

132 Brain and brain!

What is Brain?

Posted by: Kala at March 17, 2015 02:12 PM (MMC8r)

133
Chris Borland made the right call for Chris Borland. And that's all he's obligated to do.
Posted by: Comanche Vote




Of course, it's a free country*.

Then again, Suzanne Somers thought she had a brilliant career plan too.

*well, was.....

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 17, 2015 02:12 PM (kdS6q)

134 "I wonder what his Plan B is."

You definitely knew what MY Plan B was.

Posted by: Ace's Ex-Girlfriend at March 17, 2015 02:12 PM (Sflav)

135 "I don't see any problem with his personal decision. "


Me either.


The guy (hopefully) has a lot of life to live and wants it to be as quality as possible.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 17, 2015 02:12 PM (LA7Cm)

136 It's a wonderful game. A warrior's game.
Posted by: Soona at March 17, 2015 02:09 PM (/HX7u)

Yeah, but in all honesty... I don't know if I'd want my kid playing football.

I'm torn on it, because I have great experiences and memories from HS football.

But I also got injured a lot. And some of those injuries (like a twisted knee) still seem to pop up from time to time, years later.

And I knew kids who had 5-6 concussions before graduation. I wonder how they're doing?

Posted by: mynewhandle at March 17, 2015 02:12 PM (AkOaV)

137 Like, guys blew $100 million in a matter of a few years. Which I have to imagine is hard to do.

Going clubbing with a posse of a couple dozen every night with bottle service and all that crap gets expensive.

Plus you've got every relative and "friend" popping out of the woodwork with sob stories and money-making ideas.

Plus having to go out and buy a new car every year, nice house, keep your girl in fancy clothes and jewelry.

A few bad investments and some lawsuits on top of all that.

Bam. You're broke.

Posted by: bonhomme at March 17, 2015 02:13 PM (jhqr1)

138 Maybe the guy is heterosexual? Rumor has it there's a lot of grab-assing in the 49er camp.

Posted by: Fritz at March 17, 2015 02:13 PM (UzPAd)

139 Posted by: zombie at March 17, 2015 02:11 PM (K4YiS)

And now you take pictures of pervs and comment on AoSHQ.

Maybe there is something to this whole concussion thing?

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 17, 2015 02:13 PM (Zu3d9)

140 A former 49ers linebacker, Gary Plummer, said he is suffering from early dementia and, all things considered, now wishes he had stepped away from football earlier. 20/20 hindsight.

If Junior Seau had retired early, do you suppose he might have avoided that messy business of putting a bullet in his brain?

Not that it matters, Borland got one of his concussions playing soccer.

Posted by: Hank at March 17, 2015 02:13 PM (iI355)

141 Some retired football greats here in Houston. All busted up. Can't hardly walk

Posted by: ThunderB, PinUpWhoreBabyMachine at March 17, 2015 02:14 PM (zOTsN)

142 I don't think this is very weird. He wasn't a superstar and he wasn't going to be making top money. The average career is about 5 or 8 years. He would probably make a few million dollars over his career. If he was walking away from $100 million, that would be one thing. It might be worth having potential brain damage in 20 years. But when you're a middle of the road NFL player in a position where it's likely you will have a lot of head collisions, it's not necessarily worth it.

And the comment that he would be working the counter at a rental car place seems a low blow. He still has a 4 year degree from a top college. He'll be fine in life. I'm actually pretty disappointed by that comment.

Posted by: rexbatt at March 17, 2015 02:14 PM (woA40)

143 It's not just football. Hockey too. Soccer. Baseball even. Any sport with contact

Posted by: ThunderB, PinUpWhoreBabyMachine at March 17, 2015 02:15 PM (zOTsN)

144
>>The businesses themselves employ relatively few people compared to their revenues, because so much of that revenue goes to the tiny number of athletes who play the games.<<


Most of the revenues go to the owners, not the players.

Posted by: MacGruber at March 17, 2015 02:15 PM (S+el1)

145 So he really hadn't had any more concussions than the average 24 year old would have

Really?

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at March 17, 2015 02:16 PM (IXrOn)

146 Posted by: bonhomme at March 17, 2015 02:13 PM (jhqr1)

Don't forget child support for multiple babymommas, which is calculated based on your income.

Posted by: Insomniac at March 17, 2015 02:16 PM (2Ojst)

147 Semi-OT (still sports-related): Ashley Judd is saying she'll press charges against Arkansas fans that berated her on Twitter, claiming "sexual violence."

Posted by: Country Singer at March 17, 2015 02:16 PM (8hctH)

148 Here's a little story for the youngsters: Once upon a time, players didn't have a ton of protective gear. So when you went to tackle somebody, you had to, you know, tackle him. None of this launching yourself as a human missile, because you THINK you are protected.


There's a ton of film out there on guys like Butkus, Nitschke, Karras. If the youngsters watch those guys what they will see is wrapping their arms around the opponent, and tossing him to the ground. Or shoulders hitting bodies. Not a lot of head first nonsense.


They're showing these guys lots of film from Rugby players. They also have tackling clinics taught to keep from going helmet to helmet and other bad ways of hitting a guy.

Posted by: bonhomme at March 17, 2015 02:16 PM (jhqr1)

149 I'm not so sure the "average guy" has two concussions by the time he's 24. I'd bet it's more like 0.25.

And they can definitely have cumulative effects.

I really don't know how severe this guy's concussions were, but I don't blame him at all for retiring. You only have one brain.

Posted by: Tex Lovera at March 17, 2015 02:16 PM (wtvvX)

150 Cheerleading. Gymnastics.

Posted by: ThunderB, PinUpWhoreBabyMachine at March 17, 2015 02:17 PM (zOTsN)

151 You only have one brain.
Posted by: Tex Lovera at March 17, 2015 02:16 PM (wtvvX)

*cough*

Posted by: Steve Martin at March 17, 2015 02:17 PM (2Ojst)

152 Most of the revenues go to the owners, not the players.

Posted by: MacGruber at March 17, 2015 02:15 PM (S+el1)

As it should, but the cost/employee is huge in the NFL because of the high salaries paid to the small number of players.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 17, 2015 02:17 PM (Zu3d9)

153 Some retired football greats here in Houston. All busted up. Can't hardly walk

Saw a report on Earl Campbell a few years back. He had to us a walker in his late 40's because of all the knee damage.

Posted by: wrg500 at March 17, 2015 02:17 PM (S+el1)

154 Yeah, but in all honesty... I don't know if I'd want my kid playing football.

I'm torn on it, because I have great experiences and memories from HS football.

But I also got injured a lot. And some of those injuries (like a twisted knee) still seem to pop up from time to time, years later.

And I knew kids who had 5-6 concussions before graduation. I wonder how they're doing?
Posted by: mynewhandle at March 17, 2015 02:12 PM (AkOaV)

----

Yup .... same here.... my kids didnt play. One was a track sprinter and the other ran cross country... tho both are high belts in Tae Kwon Do.

I played two years into college. I played linebacker. Never a concussion. I did have to give it up tho because my health issue were stingers in my left shoulder. When my finger tips were still numb and tingly in Februrary from the previous season.... it was time to hang up the cleats.

Posted by: fixerupper at March 17, 2015 02:18 PM (NaV4z)

155 Posted by: bonhomme at March 17, 2015 02:13 PM (jhqr1)

Sounds like you watched the same documentary.

I just don't understand, at a personal level, how someone could be so financially irresponsible. And not just someone, a lot of someones.

Because if you play your cards right, you can live comfortably for the rest of your life off the interest from an investment fund with several million dollars in it.

That's all. Set 5 million dollars aside and let it keep growing until you need it. Then never touch the principal, live off the interest. All set.

But, whatever.

Posted by: mynewhandle at March 17, 2015 02:18 PM (AkOaV)

156 Posted by: bonhomme at March 17, 2015 02:13 PM (jhqr1)

Sounds like you watched the same documentary.

I just don't understand, at a personal level, how someone could be so financially irresponsible. And not just someone, a lot of someones.

Because if you play your cards right, you can live comfortably for the rest of your life off the interest from an investment fund with several million dollars in it.

That's all. Set 5 million dollars aside and let it keep growing until you need it. Then never touch the principal, live off the interest. All set.

But, whatever.

Posted by: mynewhandle at March 17, 2015 02:18 PM (AkOaV)

157
We don't really know enough about the human brain yet to know exactly what happens when the brain gets bounced around, but the more we know the worse it sounds.
****
Indeed. The research isn't all there yet, but I think we are learning more about TBI and the long term effects of this sort of thing.

Sidenote.We have a boxer locally who has been in trouble for some increasingly crazy behavior (shot his cousin, brought a gun to the MLK parade, and did a weird video from his bathtub) and there is some speculation that it's from getting his headknockedaround in the ring.

Posted by: Lea at March 17, 2015 02:18 PM (lIU4e)

158 I'm more of a boxing fan. There's no illusions about safety. Actually, it might be safer now than the NFL is. The elite boxers only fight a few times per year as opposed to dealing with training camp, preseason, 16 weeks in a row and then the playoffs week after week.

Posted by: Naes at March 17, 2015 02:18 PM (YhayY)

159 It's not just football. Hockey too. Soccer. Baseball even. Any sport with contact
Posted by: ThunderB, PinUpWhoreBabyMachine at March 17, 2015 02:15 PM (zOTsN)

---

Soccer has a higher head injury rate than does football....

Posted by: fixerupper at March 17, 2015 02:19 PM (NaV4z)

160 I'm actually pretty disappointed by that comment.

----

New to the HQ?

Posted by: SH at March 17, 2015 02:19 PM (gmeXX)

161 19 There is a solution here: externally padded helmets

Heh. I remember back in the day, Mark Kelso of The Bills wearing one of those after a concussion.

We called him The Great Gazoo for a while there.

Posted by: Citizen X at March 17, 2015 02:19 PM (7ObY1)

162 So he's getting divorced? Sad about being out of work and all...

Posted by: Jdub at March 17, 2015 02:19 PM (WDySP)

163 Maybe the guy is heterosexual? Rumor has it there's a lot of grab-assing in the 49er camp.


Posted by: Fritz at March 17, 2015 02:13 PM (UzPAd)


Oh stop! Boys just wanna have fun.


Kiss kiss!

Posted by: Mincing Jeff Garcia at March 17, 2015 02:19 PM (TOk1P)

164 For what it's worth, as a coach, and as someone whose son sustained a concussion as a player (yes, football, inside linebacker, like Borland) -- there are a few possibilities...

1.) Football is now a job, and it's not fun anymore. Even as much as college football is a business, my guess the pro game takes things to a more ridiculous level, and it stopped being fun for him.

2.) He's already had two concussions, and played at a high level in high school and college -- he's one of the *less than 2 percent* of college players who go pro. That is a lot of contact already, and inside linebackers are the guys that probably get more than anyone else. If it's the accumulation of smaller incidents that can really increase the risk, then this guy has had a ton of them, and would have a ton more in the course of an 8 or 10 year career... and that's assuming no more major head injuries.

3.) As someone else suggested, maybe there is something deeper to his current medical circumstances that he isn't revealing and we don't know. Who can say -- maybe he took some hard hits (almost certainly) this season, played through them, and literally did not feel right as he recovered. Their little sideline concussion test will find the most obvious cases, but not all of them. If you think a lot of guys aren't still playing through what should probably bench them, you're kidding yourself.

That said, I love the game, as a BIG 10 guy, I loved watching Borland play, even if it was for the hated Badgers, and I'm sorry to see him retire so young, but good for him having the courage to up end his life and do what he thought was right.

Posted by: Miller at March 17, 2015 02:19 PM (vMeHq)

165 Posted by: BurtTC at March 17, 2015 02:10 PM (TOk1P)



How my Dad taught me to tackle when I was a wee youngster: hit the ball carrier at the waist/hip/gut with your shoulder and wrap your arms around him. Then tighten your arms as they slide down his legs so that he looses balance.

Posted by: Country Singer at March 17, 2015 02:19 PM (8hctH)

166 Boxer just died two days after a match. Brain bleed

Posted by: ThunderB, PinUpWhoreBabyMachine at March 17, 2015 02:19 PM (zOTsN)

167 Yeah, but in all honesty... I don't know if I'd want my kid playing football. I'm torn on it, because I have great experiences and memories from HS football. But I also got injured a lot. And some of those injuries (like a twisted knee) still seem to pop up from time to time, years later. And I knew kids who had 5-6 concussions before graduation. I wonder how they're doing?
Posted by: mynewhandle at March 17, 2015 02:12 PM (AkOaV)


-------------------------------------


Yeah. Risk aversion. While you're at it, you might want to start teaching him the evils of the military. Tell him no matter what happens, defending one's country or ideals can be too risky for their health.

Let's take away all risk. What you say?

Posted by: Soona at March 17, 2015 02:20 PM (/HX7u)

168 A little brain damage hasn't stopped me. I just got some special glasses for that.

Posted by: Hilary!! at March 17, 2015 02:20 PM (ZWRoJ)

169 He won

Posted by: ThunderB, PinUpWhoreBabyMachine at March 17, 2015 02:20 PM (zOTsN)

170 147 Semi-OT (still sports-related): Ashley Judd is saying she'll press charges against Arkansas fans that berated her on Twitter, claiming "sexual violence."


U mad, Puff Mama?

Posted by: Citizen X at March 17, 2015 02:20 PM (7ObY1)

171 Soccer has a higher head injury rate than does football....

Posted by: fixerupper at March 17, 2015 02:19 PM (NaV4z)

Yes but its not noticeable

Posted by: Velvet Ambition at March 17, 2015 02:21 PM (R8hU8)

172 I wonder if the commissioner still wants to expand the NFL season. Such a great idea.

Posted by: Shoot Me at March 17, 2015 02:21 PM (EQcfE)

173 New to the HQ?

Posted by: SH at March 17, 2015 02:19 PM (gmeXX)

Heh....but I agree with the comment.

What Ace wrote was smug and superior....not becoming of him at all.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 17, 2015 02:21 PM (Zu3d9)

174
He still has a 4 year degree from a top college. He'll be fine in life. I'm actually pretty disappointed by that comment.
Posted by: rexbatt



US News College Rankings

#47 University of Wisconsin--Madison
#48 Pennsylvania State University--University Park

"Top college" -- in the broad sense of the term.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 17, 2015 02:21 PM (kdS6q)

175 I'm not hating on History. It's like an English degree or a Philosophy degree. May mean he's a very good writer and good at research. But it doesn't lead to an obvious high paying career path -- that's all I meant.

My bro in law got a degree in history. Wound up an archivist.

Anyway, I hope he does well.

Posted by: McY-not at March 17, 2015 02:21 PM (9BRsg)

176 football is dead, killed off by the feminization of America

Posted by: Shoey at March 17, 2015 02:21 PM (vA94g)

177 @politico 7m

Rep. Aaron Schock resigns: http://politi.co/1HXPcqL

Posted by: weft cut-loop at March 17, 2015 02:22 PM (Q/1Jp)

178 123


I seem to recall that before helmets concussions never happened or were rare. Vic probably remembers those early games.



Posted by: SE Pa Moron at March 17, 2015 02:02 PM (xQX/f)

I drove Vic to the games. Players MUCH smaller, much less money and no one stayed around too long.



Go look at average lineman's weight in NFL 1960, vs today. I am betting they are a 100 lbs heavier.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 17, 2015 02:22 PM (0FSuD)

179 @145- Really

One in high school playing neighborhood, tackle football and one in late 20's in a tournament,,, self inflicted.
Don't ask.

Also, Illinois representative Aaron Schock stepping down.
Headline doesn't sat D or R so, between that and Illinois, if I was a betting man...

Posted by: Take Back the Ducks at March 17, 2015 02:22 PM (v6Osy)

180 "Hell, at his age, most men will have had one concussion and maybe two. (Men do more stuff where you could get a concussion.)"

Ah. Yes. Stuff. I was doing stuff.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Posted by: torquewrench at March 17, 2015 02:22 PM (noWW6)

181 I just don't understand, at a personal level, how someone could be so financially irresponsible. And not just someone, a lot of someones.

Because if you play your cards right, you can live comfortably for the rest of your life off the interest from an investment fund with several million dollars in it.


Single Mom, no Dad. Raised in poverty. Their whole lives they've been looking forward to seemingly limitless wealth. When the money comes they have no money skills. Zero. But why does that matter, they think. $100M dollars is like a bottomless money-bag. Until you find the bottom.

Posted by: bonhomme at March 17, 2015 02:23 PM (jhqr1)

182 I look at this in this manner:
24yr old college grad.
No debt
300K in the bank
Can get a job as a history teacher and coaching football at probably any high school
Summer off.
Not a bad way to start your adult life.
Marries someone making similar salary and they have a very nice life. Doesn't sound like a guy who blew his money. Seems like he told his folks last year he would not have a long career.
I can respect a guy with a plan.

Posted by: RKinRoanoke at March 17, 2015 02:23 PM (DOEXI)

183 Kind of a soft-headed decision.

Posted by: Bigby's Manicure at March 17, 2015 02:23 PM (3ZtZW)

184 My son had four concussions in a two year span from 8th grade to Sophomore in HS, playing football. Two were mild, two were not.
The doctor made him quit. He loved football, but I didn't want to see him turned into a vegetable. When you see your son laid out on the examination table in the hospital emergency room, and he can't remember his own birthday or the name of his dog, you know it's bad. The game he got a concussion in he played very well in. He watched the video of the game, and just said he wished he could remember playing in that game. His head bounced hard on the ground and then he got kicked in the head.

Posted by: Bossy Conservative.... waiting for spring at March 17, 2015 02:23 PM (RFeQD)

185 128 >>85How much was his signing bonus and does he get to keep it all if he doesn't fulfill his 3 year contract?Posted by: Super Creepy Eric Hoteham at March 17, 2015 02:01 PM (oDCMR)

-------------------
So at best he has about $500k in savings. Not a bad nest egg to start with - but SF could easily demand $400k back for breach of contract. Taxes and commissions are already paid for, so he nets $100k if lucky. Wouldn't the smart move be to play especially bad and be benched and then waived the following year with all the money?

Posted by: Super Creepy Eric Hoteham at March 17, 2015 02:23 PM (oDCMR)

186 Do you know how many colleges there are in the US?

4600.

UW-Madison is an outstanding university.

Posted by: McY-not at March 17, 2015 02:24 PM (9BRsg)

187 Posted by: Lea at March 17, 2015 02:18 PM (lIU4e)

Yeah, that condition used to be known as "punch drunk."

I worked with a guy who was a former amatuer boxer / fighter.

He wasn't very good, which probably didn't help him. But by the time he was in his mid-30s, he was already clearly losing it. Irrational behavior and mood swings were a part of it, but you could tell he clearly just didn't GET IT. You'd have to explain simple concepts to him 2 or 3 times sometimes before he understood. Not like dementia, more like constantly being on drugs.

And this isn't unknown or uncommon. "Punch drunk" has been around as long as boxing, so I'm not sure why everyones acting like "holy shit we had no idea getting hit repeatedly in the head could have long term effects".

Posted by: mynewhandle at March 17, 2015 02:24 PM (AkOaV)

188 Two reported concussions.

I don't know enough about his health background to know if this is a smart decision or if it's fear mongering. I am suspicious that there's something else going on here that the concussion matter is being used to cover.

I'm also deeply worried that the pendulum is swinging from hey let's shoot players up with morphine on the sidelines and send them back in to let's wrap them up in bubble wrap and ruin the game completely.

Posted by: alexthechick - Reading. Like a me. at March 17, 2015 02:25 PM (mf5HN)

189 I look at this as pre-emptive warfare.

You destroy your enemy before he can destroy you.

In this case, remove (honestly, just dramatically limit) your risk of concussion before you do permanent damage.

Ballsy call.

Posted by: Washington Nearsider, Keeper of the Guards, returned from 1080 exile at March 17, 2015 02:25 PM (fwARV)

190
UW-Madison is an outstanding university.
Posted by: McY-not



Certainly kicked the ass of Pennsylvania State University -- University Park....

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 17, 2015 02:25 PM (kdS6q)

191 Soccer has a higher head injury rate than does football....

Posted by: fixerupper at March 17, 2015 02:19 PM (NaV4z)


Probably why I hate Ronaldo so much...

Cristiano Ronaldo - All 45 headers so far - 2003 - 2013 HD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=az7YBwgetD4

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at March 17, 2015 02:25 PM (IXrOn)

192 I would also like to put out the possibility that he's banging a super hawt uber liberal babe who doesn't want him playing that cis-nomative game of the patriarchy. The concussion thingy is just trying to take a halfway manly way out.



You can lie to yourself all you want, but, "Yes dear", is never manly.

Posted by: rickb223 at March 17, 2015 02:25 PM (WN7nv)

193 Ashley Judd is saying she'll press charges against Arkansas fans that berated her on Twitter, claiming "sexual violence."

She can make her fat fingers work on Twitter?

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 17, 2015 02:25 PM (659DL)

194 We are witnessing the NFL's slow death.. Rush has said he thinks it is doomed.. I guess I have to agree..

Posted by: catman at March 17, 2015 02:25 PM (6Xfzi)

195 So he really hadn't had any more concussions than the average 24 year old would have

Really?

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at March 17, 2015 02:16 PM (IXrOn)


I don't know if I was average, but by 24, I'd had two rather decent concussions (ie waking up in a hospital room, once a broke nose, no memory of how it happened). None of them from organized sports. I've had a couple of decent bonks since then, & I hamburger like teen chew nose beer toad, even if dirty loofa chair to my brain any long term damage.

Posted by: Anderson Cooper's Novel Writing Robot at March 17, 2015 02:26 PM (Q819Q)

196 >>>>Semi-OT (still sports-related): Ashley Judd is saying she'll press charges against Arkansas fans that berated her on Twitter, claiming "sexual violence."
.
.
.I wondered what that was all about. I saw here yakking to someone on the muted TV at the VFW earlier. She looked high or something.

Posted by: The Gerat White Scotsman at March 17, 2015 02:26 PM (4oSLk)

197 wrap your arms around him. Then tighten your arms as they slide down his legs so that he looses balance.

Go on....

Posted by: Michael Sam at March 17, 2015 02:26 PM (OoVgj)

198 I would like to announce my retirement from Thunderdome before I end up as a drooling moron with a dwarf on my head. Oh wait...

Posted by: Master Blaster at March 17, 2015 02:26 PM (PtTYB)

199 Sorry, soona.


Not everybody gives two shits about football, or those that play it.

Posted by: ScoggDog at March 17, 2015 02:26 PM (Lk/fE)

200 Ashley Judd is saying she'll press charges against Arkansas fans that berated her on Twitter, claiming "sexual violence."


----

so...... Dick Vitale gets a PASS???

Posted by: fixerupper at March 17, 2015 02:27 PM (NaV4z)

201 I'm more of a boxing fan. There's no illusions about safety. Actually, it might be safer now than the NFL is. The elite boxers only fight a few times per year as opposed to dealing with training camp, preseason, 16 weeks in a row and then the playoffs week after week.

I honestly think MMA is safer than boxing. If you go out once in MMA, you're done. Match over.

In boxing, if you get knocked out and pop right back up you can fight on. So you might actually get knocked out two or three times in a boxing match before you go down long enough to end it.

Posted by: bonhomme at March 17, 2015 02:27 PM (jhqr1)

202 190

UW-Madison is an outstanding university.
Posted by: McY-not

You are right if you like snow and fat Co Eds.


Number ONE baby!

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 17, 2015 02:27 PM (0FSuD)

203 You can lie to yourself all you want, but, "Yes dear", is never manly.

But in many ways the smartest 2 words ever said by a man.

Posted by: wrg500 at March 17, 2015 02:27 PM (S+el1)

204 Um


Sex party for the elites. Ewww

Posted by: ThunderB, PinUpWhoreBabyMachine at March 17, 2015 02:27 PM (zOTsN)

205 I have a window open to the L I site that is streaming an Israeli news site about the election. Wow.

If these talking heads are any indication of what's going on over there, Bibi is doomed.

I never thought I could despise news people more than the ones here. Wrong.

I hope Bibi wins and sticks this up their asses but idk if he can. These people think it's over.

Posted by: Suppressed Flasher at March 17, 2015 02:27 PM (X+nFp)

206 Also, Illinois representative Aaron Schock stepping down.

Headline doesn't sat D or R so, between that and Illinois, if I was a betting man...

Posted by: Take Back the Ducks at March 17, 2015 02:22 PM (v6Osy)


Nope, he's an R, but being an Illinoisian, more than a bit of a scumbag, it would seem.


We had this discussion last week, I believe. Many who complained we shouldn't be criticizing this crook because, circular firing squad, or whatever they call it.


So yeah, about that circle? The R party is not mine. I can't speak for anyone else, but my natural assumption is that unless proven otherwise, any politician is a scumbag.


No offense to bags full of scum intended.

Posted by: BurtTC at March 17, 2015 02:27 PM (TOk1P)

207 "I'm not hating on History. It's like an English degree or a Philosophy degree."

Once upon a bygone day, if you were to happen across someone with a degree in history, or English, or philosophy, from a reputable university, you would at least have an assurance that they had been expected to read an accepted canon of works to a certain depth, and that they had been expected to analyze and write regarding those works with a certain level of rigor.

All of that has been totally shitcanned.

It no longer exists even at elite universities.

Someone can get a degree in English from UCLA these days without knowing what a gerund is, or without having read a word of Chaucer.

Posted by: torquewrench at March 17, 2015 02:27 PM (noWW6)

208 OT:

Funny we never heard about this in the National News:

Published: 21:33 EST, 13 January 2015

A Virginia lawmaker who resigned his seat following a sex scandal involving a teenage employee won it back during a special election Tuesday.

Apparently plenty of voters in Joseph Morrissey's Richmond-area House of Delegates district were OK with his conviction in the scandal involving his 17-year-old secretary, whose nude photo was found on his cellphone and allegedly shared with a friend.

Morrissey has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, saying his phone was hacked. The young woman, who denies they had sex, is now pregnant.


http://tinyurl.com/oc38gad

Posted by: Kala at March 17, 2015 02:27 PM (MMC8r)

209 UW-Madison is an outstanding university.

Posted by: McY-not at March 17, 2015 02:24 PM (9BRsg)

Some outstanding scientific research comes out of there.

Berkeley (Go Bears!)
Madison
Ann Arbor
Austin
.
.
.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 17, 2015 02:27 PM (Zu3d9)

210 & I hamburger like teen chew nose beer toad, even if dirty loofa chair to my brain any long term damage.

I paint this!

Posted by: Zombie Salvador Dali at March 17, 2015 02:28 PM (9Z8lH)

211
--Semi-OT (still sports-related): Ashley Judd is saying she'll press charges against Arkansas fans that berated her on Twitter, claiming "sexual violence."

Hilarious. Suck it, Judd.

Posted by: Lea at March 17, 2015 02:28 PM (lIU4e)

212 Soccer has a higher head injury rate than does football....

Posted by: fixerupper at March 17, 2015 02:19 PM (NaV4z)


Well, yeah. But they report an italian cocksucker slapping a german cocksucker & mussing his hair up as a potentially life-threatening injury in that sport.

Posted by: Anderson Cooper's Novel Writing Robot at March 17, 2015 02:28 PM (Q819Q)

213

El Clasico... SOON!

To be fair to Messi, who I get to see live SOON!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWaTB-NNCkY

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at March 17, 2015 02:28 PM (IXrOn)

214
Re punch-drunk: I am the absolute biggest Mohammed Ali fan. I will watch all of his fights over and over. Every time they're on.

I can't watch Ali-Frazier III. Those two guys proving how much head trauma they can absorb turns my stomach.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at March 17, 2015 02:29 PM (JtwS4)

215
let's wrap them up in bubble wrap and ruin the game completely.

Didn't you ruin it for yourself when you chose the Browns?

Posted by: Bandersnatch at March 17, 2015 02:29 PM (JtwS4)

216 Some U.S. high school sports injury statistics form the CDC compiled after they finished up their studies on fat lesbian sex change statistics:


http://preview.tinyurl.com/ltgde2r

Posted by: RioBravo at March 17, 2015 02:29 PM (NUqwG)

217 But in many ways the smartest 2 words ever said by a man.
Posted by: wrg500 at March 17, 2015 02:27 PM (S+el1)

-----

Yes Dear.
You're right dear.
Im sorry dear.

Been married 27 years. It aint about winnin or losin, or manliness.

It's about SURVIVAL.

Posted by: fixerupper at March 17, 2015 02:30 PM (NaV4z)

218
UW-Madison is an outstanding university.
Posted by: McY-not




Lol. They just edged out #54 Pepperdine University.

And Pepperdine is a joke school.

Posted by: Laurie David's Cervix at March 17, 2015 02:30 PM (kdS6q)

219 We should start getting the early returns from the Israeli elections about 4:00 U.S. eastern time.

Per The NY Slimes.

Posted by: Citizen X at March 17, 2015 02:30 PM (7ObY1)

220 Local (San Francisco news) here said that he was going back to school and wanted to get into sports team management.

Posted by: Barack at March 17, 2015 02:30 PM (fMQoG)

221 Let's take away all risk. What you say?
Posted by: Soona at March 17, 2015 02:20 PM (/HX7u)

I'm just saying that you have to weigh the risks. If a handful of injuries during a kids teen years can lead to problems later in life, then maybe you should try to steer your kid away from a sport that has a near 100% injury rate.

Just like how I would steer my 16 year old away from a corvette and toward a volvo station wagon for their first car.

Posted by: mynewhandle at March 17, 2015 02:30 PM (AkOaV)

222 "Go look at average lineman's weight in NFL 1960, vs today. I am betting they are a 100 lbs heavier."

For Pete's sake, look at the _high school_ players. They're huge.

Posted by: torquewrench at March 17, 2015 02:30 PM (noWW6)

223 Rep. Aaron Schock resigns: http://politi.co/1HXPcqL
Posted by: weft cut-loop at March 17, 2015 02:22 PM (Q/1Jp)


meh, wimped out

Screw the media and the democrats.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at March 17, 2015 02:30 PM (IXrOn)

224 We are witnessing the NFL's slow death.. Rush has said he thinks it is doomed.. I guess I have to agree..
Posted by: catman at March 17, 2015 02:25 PM (6Xfzi)


---------------------------------


The marxist agenda. Destroy everything American. And there's not much more of an American tradition as football. It must be destroyed.

I'm finding many of the comments on this thead disturbing.

Posted by: Soona at March 17, 2015 02:30 PM (/HX7u)

225 210 & I hamburger like teen chew nose beer toad, even if dirty loofa chair to my brain any long term damage.

I paint this!


Cucumber!

Posted by: Citizen X at March 17, 2015 02:31 PM (7ObY1)

226 For Pete's sake, look at the _high school_ players. They're huge.


Vitamin-fortified breakfast cereal is a helluva thing.

Posted by: HR braucht ein Bier at March 17, 2015 02:31 PM (/kI1Q)

227 It's about SURVIVAL

Yep.

Posted by: wrg500 at March 17, 2015 02:31 PM (S+el1)

228 Someone can get a degree in English from UCLA these days without knowing what a gerund is, or without having read a word of Chaucer.

I read Chaucer in King James Bible English, then tried again in the original Olde Tyme English. Holy crap what a difference! I couldn't understand anything in the latter without lots of companion note referencing.

Posted by: bonhomme at March 17, 2015 02:31 PM (jhqr1)

229 Polls close at four. We won't know for a long time. And then the wrangling begins. Could take weeks. Read yid with a lid in the sidebar

Posted by: ThunderB, PinUpWhoreBabyMachine at March 17, 2015 02:31 PM (zOTsN)

230 I fell and hit my head ice skating a couple of times as a kid. Got knocked out but didn't go to the doc. That was 40 yrs ago. I don't know if those counted as concussions.

Posted by: McY-not at March 17, 2015 02:31 PM (9BRsg)

231
Bullshit.

He wanted to quit and this is his scapegoat.

Posted by: Soothsayer's imaginary twitter feed at March 17, 2015 02:31 PM (U+iP0)

232 Rep. Aaron Schock resigns

SMH

Yay, Team GOPe.

Posted by: Citizen X at March 17, 2015 02:32 PM (7ObY1)

233 214

Re punch-drunk: I am the absolute biggest Mohammed Ali fan. I will watch all of his fights over and over. Every time they're on.

I can't watch Ali-Frazier III. Those two guys proving how much head trauma they can absorb turns my stomach."

They got rid of the 13th 14th and 15th rounds in title fights in the 1980s which probably goes a long way towards preserving the health of the athletes. The damage taken in those rounds has a snowball effect so it's exponentially worse.

Posted by: Naes at March 17, 2015 02:32 PM (YhayY)

234 Breaking:


Another Republican falls prey to harrasment from the MFM and ethics investigations from Democrat assholes who all do the same stuff he was doing.


Aaron Schock is announcing his resignation effective at the end of this month.


http://abc7.ws/1GSjkCU

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 17, 2015 02:32 PM (wlDny)

235 Posted by: Kala at March 17, 2015 02:27 PM (MMC8r)

Who lets their 17 year old daughter hang around politicians?

Posted by: mynewhandle at March 17, 2015 02:32 PM (AkOaV)

236 and a dick that has shrunken to 12 inches.


There's a balm for that.

Posted by: Paddy O'Furniture at March 17, 2015 02:32 PM (evdj2)

237 I don't know if I was average, but by 24, I'd had two rather decent concussions (ie waking up in a hospital room, once a broke nose, no memory of how it happened). None of them from organized sports. I've had a couple of decent bonks since then, & I hamburger like teen chew nose beer toad, even if dirty loofa chair to my brain any long term damage.
Posted by: Anderson Cooper's Novel Writing Robot at March 17, 2015 02:26 PM (Q819Q)


I guess my three brothers are lucky. Not one concussion amongst them all.

And they are big outdoorsmen. Not football players. But a lot of other stuff. Surfing included.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at March 17, 2015 02:32 PM (IXrOn)

238
Prediction: He will be trying to get back in NFL within 1 year.

Posted by: Soothsayer's imaginary twitter feed at March 17, 2015 02:32 PM (U+iP0)

239 I think he looked at Biden and said "no fucking way".

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at March 17, 2015 02:32 PM (FMbng)

240 Semi-OT (still sports-related): Ashley Judd is
saying she'll press charges against Arkansas fans that berated her on
Twitter, claiming "sexual violence." Hilarious. Suck it, Judd.

Posted by: Lea at March 17, 2015 02:28 PM


Saw a clip on the noon news about this. She says she IS "pressing charges" and, apparently, is spending quite a bit of time doing so.

I'll bet her local cops just love getting those calls....

Posted by: MrScribbler at March 17, 2015 02:33 PM (P8YHq)

241
And then he'll quit again.

Posted by: Soothsayer's imaginary twitter feed at March 17, 2015 02:33 PM (U+iP0)

242 For Pete's sake, look at the _high school_ players. They're huge.



Posted by: torquewrench at March 17, 2015 02:30 PM (noWW6)


From this year's college signing day: http://tinyurl.com/jwcrohj

Posted by: Country Singer at March 17, 2015 02:33 PM (8hctH)

243 I missed them, Soona. (I'm on my phone). But fwiw I love football. I gotta believe some smart engineers will design a better helmet and pads.

Posted by: McY-not at March 17, 2015 02:33 PM (9BRsg)

244 He made about $1M between the signing bonus and playing for 1 year.

So he's 24 and has $500K in the bank (assuming he didn't blow it all and after taxes) and has a college degree from a decent school. Not a bad place to be in life.

Posted by: Mr. Moo Moo at March 17, 2015 02:33 PM (0LHZx)

245
I seriously question Ace's presumption that most men might already have 2 concussions by age 24. Most high impact athelets mabey. But most men don't go near major impact sports to start with. Stop and think about it. Less than a third or half of males in any given high school make the football team or basketball team. The majority.....think Band is a sport. Or less. And out of all those kids playing football, an average hard hittinghigh school might have 1 or 2 actual medical concussions per year.
The numbers just don't add up. Sure there's a lot of 'banged his head" and "knocked dizzy"......but bruises do not equal "concussions".

Posted by: MrObvious at March 17, 2015 02:33 PM (jgcLl)

246 I could never get into Ali.

Started his career with phony "wins" (Sonny Liston, take a dive!) then became a Muzzie.

I was always more of a George Foreman guy.

Posted by: Citizen X at March 17, 2015 02:33 PM (7ObY1)

247 "Heh. I remember back in the day, Mark Kelso of The Bills wearing one of those after a concussion. "


Yes, I remember the oversized, bulbous helmet he wore.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 17, 2015 02:33 PM (LA7Cm)

248 LOL, I see Ace beat me to it.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at March 17, 2015 02:34 PM (wlDny)

249 The Israeli news site is predicting the Arabs to be the third largest bloc in the Knesset

Posted by: Suppressed Flasher at March 17, 2015 02:34 PM (X+nFp)

250 Don't fall on ice. Or ride a bike. Or play a team sport. Or climb. Running and tripping could be bad

Posted by: ThunderB, PinUpWhoreBabyMachine at March 17, 2015 02:35 PM (zOTsN)

251 Yes, I remember the oversized, bulbous helmet he wore.
Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 17, 2015 02:33 PM (LA7Cm)

----

Go on....

Posted by: Michael Sam at March 17, 2015 02:35 PM (NaV4z)

252 "Rush has said he thinks it is doomed.. I guess I have to agree.. "

Aikman has said the same thing. Without serious overhaul to the equipment or the game itself he figures it's headed south. Say's he'd discourage his son from it.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at March 17, 2015 02:35 PM (LA7Cm)

253 Dems never resign. Never. Numbers matter. They never, ever, EVER take their eyes off the prize.

As for the GOPe...

Posted by: Citizen X at March 17, 2015 02:35 PM (7ObY1)

254 Posted by: Citizen X at March 17, 2015 02:33 PM (7ObY1)

Oh, he was a scummy prick, but Lord, the man could box. Power, speed, footwork, a dozen different punches.....as good as there was in his era.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 17, 2015 02:35 PM (Zu3d9)

255 You can bet Charles C.W. Cooke is retyping his resume to show he helped rid the country of Aaron Schock.

He spent taxpayer money on redecorating his office, which every congressman does, but he did it in a style that could be mocked.

The amount was less than what Michell Obama's jet burned in fuel waiting to take off the other day following Barak to California.

Thank god we've got right wing writers looking out for us.

Posted by: jwest at March 17, 2015 02:36 PM (9ZZd+)

256 Morrissey has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing,
saying his phone was hacked. The young woman, who denies they had sex,
is now pregnant.





http://tinyurl.com/oc38gad

Posted by: Kala at March 17, 2015 02:27 PM (MMC8r)


Morrissey was quoted as saying, "Is it really so, really so strange? I say no, you say yes, and you will change your mind."

Posted by: BurtTC at March 17, 2015 02:36 PM (TOk1P)

257 Suicide does not mean a former player absolutely had CTE. Unless there is some new evidence I haven't seen it's just not true.

Football is a dangerous game period. If people really gave a flying fuck boxing and mma would be first to go with football, hockey and all women contact sports right behind it.

Posted by: thathalfrican at March 17, 2015 02:36 PM (BbxqY)

258 For Pete's sake, look at the _high school_ players. They're huge.

I had to take a swimming class in High School. It was pretty fun except for this one guy who was a tremendous bully. He was 5'7, 230 lbs, all muscle.

He disappeared for a few months Junior year because he took on THREE MPs. Knocked two of them out! I guess he didn't get sent up for too long though because he was back Senior year.

Posted by: bonhomme at March 17, 2015 02:36 PM (jhqr1)

259 @208

Black district, she is Black, and I think he's Jewish.



It's just a party!

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 17, 2015 02:37 PM (0FSuD)

260 Posted by: MrObvious at March 17, 2015 02:33 PM (jgcLl)



You're looking at organized sports. I never played organized football (I did play baseball), but how many games of "Smear the Queer" did I get my bell rung in as a kid? Hell, we used to play it 30-45 minutes a day during recess and/or PE from 2nd or 3rd grade all the way through HS.

Posted by: Country Singer at March 17, 2015 02:38 PM (8hctH)

261 Football is a dangerous game period. If people really gave a flying fuck boxing and mma would be first to go with football, hockey and all women contact sports right behind it.
Posted by: thathalfrican at March 17, 2015 02:36 PM (BbxqY)

-----

Nice to now the urge to ban things is not ENTIRELY a lefty lunatic proposition.

Maybe you can solve that icky gun problem too.

Posted by: fixerupper at March 17, 2015 02:38 PM (NaV4z)

262 Banning women's sports in HS and college would leave more time for sammich making classes.

Posted by: Paddy O'Furniture at March 17, 2015 02:40 PM (evdj2)

263 I hope Bibi wins and sticks this up their asses but idk if he can. These people think it's over.

Posted by: Suppressed Flasher at March 17, 2015 02:27 PM (X+nFp)

This is the vibe I am getting from Drudge, Bibi is toast. Obama's operatives got him.


Posted by: Nip Sip at March 17, 2015 02:40 PM (0FSuD)

264 This is the vibe I am getting from Drudge, Bibi is toast. Obama's operatives got him.

---

If that happens.... what the over/under on that asshole gloating over a microphone somewhere taking a victory lap.

Posted by: fixerupper at March 17, 2015 02:41 PM (NaV4z)

265 262 Banning women's sports in HS and college would leave more time for sammich making classes.

Posted by: Paddy O'Furniture at March 17, 2015 02:40 PM (evdj2)

Home economics for the win!

Posted by: wrg500 at March 17, 2015 02:41 PM (S+el1)

266 From this year's college signing day: http://tinyurl.com/jwcrohj

For anyone who didn't follow the link, Motekiai Langi is joining BYU at 6'7 410.

Here's another picture:
http://goo.gl/1pCrS0

I guess the lip thing is natural, and not really a sneer.

Posted by: bonhomme at March 17, 2015 02:42 PM (jhqr1)

267 Dammit, Willowed.

Posted by: Country Singer at March 17, 2015 02:43 PM (8hctH)

268 If that happens.... what the over/under on that asshole gloating over a microphone somewhere taking a victory lap.

Posted by: fixerupper at March 17, 2015 02:41 PM


He'll set up a circle-jerk with Lurch Kerry.

It's a sorry commentary on the world when Bibi can't win an election and Choom Boy wins twice.

Posted by: MrScribbler at March 17, 2015 02:43 PM (P8YHq)

269 I missed them, Soona. (I'm on my phone). But fwiw I love football. I gotta believe some smart engineers will design a better helmet and pads.
Posted by: McY-not at March 17, 2015 02:33 PM (9BRsg)


---------------------------------------


They are already much better than when I played football, but that isn't the point I've been trying to make. The risks in football is part of the thrill of playing it. Maybe it's a testosterone thing. And when I was young I had lots and lots of testosterone. I was willing to try anything that involved some type of risk. That's just me.

But I know that taking a risk is becoming a rare commodity in this nation.

Posted by: Soona at March 17, 2015 02:43 PM (/HX7u)

270 But most men don't go near major impact sports to start
with. Stop and think about it. Less than a third or half of males in any given high school make the football team or basketball team. The majority.....think Band is a sport. Or less.


Maybe now. From the 70's on back, bikes, no helmet, lawn darts, go karts, dirt bikes, horseback riding, tree climbing, sandlot football sans pads, etc.

Posted by: rickb223 at March 17, 2015 02:44 PM (tkaZN)

271 He could be quitting now, getting out of the contract, and then in a year or two sign a bigger contract. He's probably being underpaid this year because he's still on a rookie contract. If he can sign a new contract in a year or two, he can probably get more money.

Posted by: bjk at March 17, 2015 02:47 PM (RcqHr)

272 If that happens.... what the over/under on that asshole gloating over a microphone somewhere taking a victory lap.

Posted by: fixerupper at March 17, 2015 02:41 PM (NaV4z)

I'll take 100% for a $1,000 Alex.

If not him Val.

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 17, 2015 02:48 PM (0FSuD)

273 81
NFL scouts doubted his potential because they thought that his arms were too short.



Like little T Rex arms?

Posted by: wooga at March 17, 2015 02:01 PM (OoVgj)


Not so much, just shorter than they could be, at least for his body size.

Posted by: calbadger at March 17, 2015 02:48 PM (rKRC9)

274 SF could easily demand $400k back for breach of contract.

If they wanted to absolutely destroy their public perception.

With all the concussion-related press around the NFL, they're probably saying "This was a personal decision, but we wholly support our players when they make decisions based on their personal health."

Posted by: AllenG (DedicatedTenther) - TrueCon at March 17, 2015 02:49 PM (kff5f)

275 265
262 Banning women's sports in HS and college would leave more time for sammich making classes herbal massages classes


Posted by: Paddy O'Furniture at March 17, 2015 02:40 PM (evdj2)


FIFY

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 17, 2015 02:49 PM (0FSuD)

276 You have to love this. Just got an email from John McLaime



MS sent it to junk1

Posted by: Nip Sip at March 17, 2015 02:57 PM (0FSuD)

277
Remember, Ace, that as a pro player, he has a lot more access to former pros and their experiences than the rest of the population. He actually gets to see and hear from them, first-hand. And even though he's had 2 concussions that have been reported, who knows how many haven't been? I played college football, and I can guarantee you that from high school on, most of us had at least one good "got my bell rung" concussion. One of our TE's in college came back to the huddle after getting hit hardin a game, and as we all leaned in to hear the QB, he stood straight up, staring. After a few seconds he started crying, and said "I don't know who I am!" We got the ref over, and the TE off of the field.
I can remember two very clear instances where I "saw stars". And there are a couple of games that I flat out couldn't remember past the first quarter (even though I caught passes, scored TD's), and have no recollection of talking to family and friends afterward, or the bus rides home. Blank.
I've had several close friends live with severe brain trauma, and it sucks.
I hate to see Borland go, but only he knows what's happened to him in reality up until now, and I hope he has a long, happy, healthy life, with no detrimental effects from concussion syndrome.

Posted by: Uncle Jefe at March 17, 2015 03:06 PM (25KoS)

278 Fixerupper, I don't want to ban anything. Just merely stating this anti football craze is bs and disingenuous.

Posted by: thathalfrican at March 17, 2015 03:09 PM (BbxqY)

279 Maybe he can get a job where they pay gas mileage. I hear that that is pretty lucrative these days.

Posted by: goon at March 17, 2015 03:10 PM (gNTQS)

280 Convenient that he has 4 seasons worth of a signing bonus to fall back on. Considering he is "choosing" to leave and is not being forced to by injury, the 49ers should absolutely sue him for the other 3/4 of that signing bonus.

You don't get to negotiate a 4 year deal, pocket the up front money and then decide, "Hmmm, I think I'll retire".

Sure, go for it. But give us the other $450K on your way out the door.

Posted by: deadrody at March 17, 2015 03:13 PM (vJOFB)

281 Deadrody, there really isn't anymore negotiations for draft picks anymore it's all slotted.

Posted by: thathalfrican at March 17, 2015 03:18 PM (Tdj7M)

282 This isn't so new. My uncle was recruited after college by the L.A. Rams in 1954, but he declined, even though he would have made three times as much as in the white-collar job he took instead: said his knees were already shot. (By the way, the salary he was offered in 1954 was $9000.00, for playing tackle, "both ways.")

Posted by: Beverly Cooper at March 17, 2015 03:19 PM (eFXM3)

283 Point being, there have probably been a lot of turn-downs on account of injuries you never hear about. Fewer now because the money is SO much better, but still.

Posted by: Beverly Cooper at March 17, 2015 03:20 PM (eFXM3)

284
I don't see how you call it 'pure research.' There're some pretty ugly examples of the long term damage which is possible. Deciding you don't want that level of risk in your life seems to me to be a rational choice.

As for guaranteed money and such, I expect the 49ers are very on top of what their options are wrt recovery. It's not as though the owners are a bunch of babes in the woods here.

And the 49ers might decide that the bad publicity would be too expensive.

Posted by: Dan from Chicago at March 17, 2015 03:23 PM (qdQL/)

285 What Ace wrote was smug and superior....not becoming of him at all.
Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at March 17, 2015 02:21 PM (Zu3d9)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You may want to look into a reading comprehension class.

What Ace said about rental car agencies and the likelihood of fame was the exact opposite of the way you took it.

While sarcasm may be hard to pick up, often times you should give the writer a benefit of the doubt, especially if you know them - as you claim.

Posted by: deadrody at March 17, 2015 03:23 PM (vJOFB)

286 Not so "odd", Ace.

A couple of NHL players, Chris Pronger and Marc Savard, both suffered greatly from concussions. I recall they each had to basically spend an entire year in a dark, quiet room, so sensitive were they to excruciating headaches caused by any sort of stimulus. What kind of life is that?

Unlike many of his colleagues, Borland actually graduated and presumably has career prospects outside of football. I can understand why he's comfortable retiring, and not willing to risk the consequences. I admire him for it, frankly.

Posted by: ToursLepantoVienna at March 17, 2015 03:28 PM (F9l4e)

287 I think the fact that the 49ers are cleaning house after Harbaugh left and their new coach is a joke has had something to do with the decision. If you suspect some fragility in your body, why risk it for a team that is going to get worse before it gets better?

Posted by: CygnusX1 at March 17, 2015 03:33 PM (fdavN)

288 I don't think this guy feels its necessary to share his whole medical history with us. We don't know what symptoms or paid he lives with every day. He seems a smart guy, and I can only conclude that his health problems are serious enough to make this the right decision. I wish him well.

Posted by: John Oh at March 17, 2015 04:04 PM (7TZSk)

289 I'll wait to see if he becomes a boxer.

Posted by: Chris Balsz at March 17, 2015 04:10 PM (8rRE+)

290 Former Badger and Olympian distance runner Suzy Favor Hamilton worked as a $600/hr hooker for a couple years, so there's always that.

Posted by: BuddyPC at March 17, 2015 04:10 PM (jfUIE)

291
The marxist agenda. Destroy everything American. And there's not much more of an American tradition as football. It must be destroyed.

I'm finding many of the comments on this thead disturbing.

Posted by: Soona at March 17, 2015 02:30 PM (/HX7u)


seconded...

Posted by: Shoey at March 17, 2015 04:16 PM (vA94g)

292 I just want to know when Neeson and the other action heros are going to push back on being expected to fire high caliber weapons without hearing protection.

Posted by: Movies are real guy at March 17, 2015 04:33 PM (szne4)

293 Then there's that gal that cuthertitsoff because she thought she would get breast cancer.

*insert popcorn chewing noise here*

Posted by: torabora at March 17, 2015 06:31 PM (0sijC)

294 Studies? We don't know hardly anything about concussions, their severity, long term implications, and especially differences from individual to individual. I'm pretty sure, like many things, how bad a concussion is to you in the long run, and how susceptible you are to getting one from a hit to thead varies widely. I took a blow to the head far worse than you could get on the field- flipped my car and my head left a dent in the <i>top edge</i> of the driver's side door (which had come up to meet my stationary head at high angular velocity) three inches deep. I was only unconscious for about a minute and a half, and can fuzzily remember everything but the accident itself. Having a head built like a bowling ball on top of a neck two sizes too big for my body surely is an advantage. Perhaps there are also differences in brain structure and chemistry. I suspect much of the evidence found from looking at former athletes brains may be highly affected due to things like steroid, pain killer, and alcohol use (all rampant in pre-drug testing generations). We know steroids cam affect your brain- so why wouldn't it be a major player in whether or not you are concussion prone/susceptible?

Let those who are willing take the risks, and if you want out, go forth and have a nice day. Someone else will be happy to play in his spot, you can be sure.

Posted by: Wysiwyg Mtwzzyx at March 17, 2015 06:45 PM (98Feg)

295 Maybe now. From the 70's on back, bikes, no helmet, lawn darts, go karts, dirt bikes, horseback riding, tree climbing, sandlot football sans pads, etc.

Posted by: rickb223 at March 17, 2015 02:44 PM (tkaZN)


Those were the days. Back then, two-handed TAG meant Touch All Ground - a knee or a one-handed shove didn't mean you were down.

Posted by: steveegg at March 17, 2015 10:39 PM (cL79m)

296 Maybe he is talking about like Ricky Williams type brain injury risks....

Posted by: joe buzzz at March 19, 2015 07:06 PM (tr79+)

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