Normally I'll be writing about professional sports and concussion, but this time I just want to write some stuff down that may or may not make sense to anyone else. I just started reading a book by Chuck Klosterman and I thought how good, how much of a release it must be to just write thoughts ...
No football this week, yet somehow the NFL survives
Imagine a week with no NFL to watch. Sounds like any week from February (after the Super Bowl) to August  (preseason, which no one watches). Astonishingly, every year, fans return to watch games and buy merchandise. They've somehow survived the arduous 6-7 month off-season. For their part, the NFL team owners and the league have ...
Harsh but fair
It's important to remember that in sports - especially contact sports - we can only mitigate the risk of concussions. As hard as it is for many people to accept, concussions won't just stop one day. There is no 'solution' to the now apparent epidemic in sports. It will take time to implement proper training ...
Crosby’s concussion – explaining the unexplainable
On January 1, 2011 during the highly touted and much hyped Winter Classic at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby was hit by David Steckel and hit again by Victor Hedman on January 5. He is the league's leading point-scorer, but has missed every game (5) since the Hedman hit. This clip in which he ...
Favre, Collie and the non-discriminating concussion
From a 41 year old in his 20th season to a 25 year old in his 2nd. The secret to concussion prevention hasn't been found in  experience, age, athleticism or stubbornness. Awareness won't eliminate concussions either, but it will help to reduce the likelihood of longer-term brain injury. First concussion: bad, second concussion: exponentially worse. Austin Collie, ...
Comment and Discuss!
Please post your comments and have an open discussion about issues relating to concussions that you, family and/or friends have experienced. Or, talk about concussions and brain injury in general, what sports organizations and leagues can do to raise awareness.
My cynical side looks at this and thinks 'Cheap research meets a company trying to market itself as a community partner'. Then, my practical side thinks 'Who cares! Good for Toyota! It's a big investment into an issue I am passionate about, with a ready supply of researchers (at Wake Forest University).' "It's important to understand ...
Links
Sally Francklyn - a skier and writer shares her thoughts on her brain injury, which was/is very similar to mine. Concussion Connection - an excellent site by and for athletes who have had a concussion. Think First - a well organized Canadian organization that is focused on preventing brain and spinal cord injuries. BrainLine - an excellent resource ...
NFL and NHL concussion awareness videos
NHL Â video: Eric Lindros hosts this video, talks with former and current NHL players. NFL video: Concussions are discussed a lot in the context of football and the NFL. The NHL and hockey media would do well to match the level of discussion. But with the money available to the NFL and all the attention concussions ...
About me
In January 2003 I had decided to take a break from playing water polo and to give triathlon a try. I graduated from university the previous year and a couple of friends and I cycled from Vancouver to St. John's. Through that experience, my interest in cycling grew. On August 1, 2003, while cycling in Victoria, ...