Jun 02
by Jeff Fannell in Basketball, Injury Report, NBA, Sports Issues 0 comments tags: Concussions, Golden State Warriors, Injury, Klay Thompson, NBA Finals

Klay Thompson Concussion Raises Red Flags

(Photo Credits: NBA.com) In Game 7 of the Western Conference finals, Klay Thompson was kneed in the head by Trevor Ariza and immediately crumpled to the floor, grabbing his head. Red flag number one. Thompson was taken back into the locker room, where, we are told, he was administered and passed the NBA’s concussion protocols and thus cleared to return to action. During a timeout, when it appeared Thompson was about to re-enter the game, television cameras zeroed in on blood coming from his right ear (he was kneed in or near his right temple). Red flag number two. Thompson once again was escorted to the Warriors locker room and received three stitches in his ear. He never returned to action, as the Warriors pulled away from the Houston Rockets in the final minutes in route to stamping their ticket to the NBA Finals. The entire course of events involving Thompson was troubling. Things, however, would get worse. The next morning, we learned that after the game Thompson felt dizzy and could not drive himself home. His father, former NBA player Mychal Thompson, had to drive him. The elder Thompson reported that his son vomited twice after arriving home. Red […]
Read More
Dec 29
by Jeff Fannell in Football, Injury Report, NFL, Sports, Sports Issues, What Say You? 0 comments tags: Chris Conte, Concussions, NFL, Sports Injuries, What Say You?

What Say You: Is it Worth it?

“I’d rather have the experience of playing in the NFL and die 10 to 15 years earlier than not play in the NFL and have a long life.  I don’t really look toward my life after football. I’ll figure things out when I get there.  As long as I outlive my parents.” So said Chicago Bears safety Chris Conte, who has suffered a back injury, two concussions, a shoulder injury and an eye injury this season.  What say you?
Read More
Oct 16
by Jeff Fannell in Amateur Sports, Football, Injury Report, Sports, Sports Issues 4 comments tags: Death, Football, Friday Night Lights, High School Football, High School Sports, Sports, Student Athletes

High School Football Deaths on the Rise

As the calendar turned to October, the crisp fall temperatures reminded us that football was in full bloom.  For many, that is a good thing, as football remains the sports king of America.  However, the recent report of three football-related deaths in four days was alarming, to say the least.  That these tragedies all involved high school athletes raises the concern even the more. According to a report in USA Today, this season there have been at least seven football-related deaths involving high school athletes – and we still have nearly two months to go.  Last year, eight players died from football-related injuries, the highest total since 1976. Much work is being done to stem the tide of concussions and other serious injuries in football.  While such efforts are certainly to be applauded, this recent report is a sober reminder of just how much work remains to be done. Photo credit: Getty Images
Read More