Boom

The big hit. There's nothing quite like it in football. 

Fans cheer it. Players revel in it. The NFL and the media market it. 

Rather its a receiver getting decleated while going over the middle or an unsuspecting defender sent flying by a hellacious block, a large hit has the potential to change a game or if nothing else, provide hours of entertainment for fans on YouTube.

There's no question football has become America's new national pastime (sorry baseball) in large part to its violence. Either at the stadium or on television, fans love watching 22 armored warriors lace it up and go to battle. The bigger the hit, the louder the cheer. 

We can cheer those massive hits because usually, the players bounce right back up, seemingly unharmed.  

But recently, we've been made aware of just how dangerous those hits can be. 

Last Saturday, Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand made what has been described as a vicious tackle on a kickoff return during his team's game against Army. The 6'2", 275 pound LeGrand immediately crumpled to the ground and now lies in a Hackensack, New Jersey hospital paralyzed from the neck down after injuring the C-3 and C-4 vertebrae in his neck.


A day later, Detroit Lions linebacker Zach Follett, who earned the nickname "Pain Train" because of the hard hits he dished out while playing at Cal, ended up in the same hospital as LeGrand after finding himself on the wrong end of a scary helmet to helmet tackle on a kickoff return in an NFL game against the New York Giants. Though motionless after the play, Follett would be released from the hospital without any spinal damage. 


Unfortunately, Follett wasn't the only NFL player injured on a helmet to helmet hit on Sunday. 


Philadelphia Eagle receiver DeSean Jackson suffered a severe concussion after being leveled by Atlanta Falcons corner Dunta Robinson. Robinson himself was knocked out of the game on the hit.



Baltimore Ravens tight end Todd Heap also suffered a concussion after being hammered by New England Patriot safety Brandon Meriweather hard enough that his mouthpiece flew across the field. 


In the Pittsburgh-Cleveland game, Steelers linebacker James Harrison made headlines after knocking out Browns receivers Josh Cribbs and Mohamed Massaquoi of the game. 

The helmet to helmet hits has led to swift action by the NFL. Already dogged by concerns over concussions, the league fined Robinson, Harrison, and Meriweather a combined $175,000 for their hits and vowed to start suspending players for leading with their head.

The injury to LeGrand and Sunday's carnage has intensified debate over injuries and football. Many players and fans alike feel that the rules have already been altered enough and that  the game is slowly turning into flag football. 


However, it's clear that the NFL, NCAA, and even local high school federations must act now to protect players. Football has always been a dangerous game where names such as Mike Utley, Darryl Stingley, Chucky Mullins , and Curtis Williams conjure up memories of past tragedies. However, today's game has become more dangerous as players have gotten bigger AND faster. A 230-pound player in the 1940s would have been a dominant offensive lineman and the biggest player on the field. Today, a 230-pound player often is a defensive back that can run a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash. Today's collisions simply do more damage than the tackles of yesteryear. 

There's no coincidence that that every week, there is more and more research proving that football can cause permanent brain damage, even in players who did not have long careers. Players who played in the '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s already suffer from a variety of physical aliments, including brain damage, linked to injuries they suffered during their careers. Can you imagine how the players of today will turn out in 10, 20, 30 years?


Even when acknowledging that their sport is getting tougher and tougher to play, the NFL wants to move to an 18 game season. Meanwhile, many college football fans and journalists want to add a multi-game playoff. More games equal more collisions. More collisions equal more injuries, some of them catastrophic. 


Now, I know football will never be completely safe. Every sport has its risks. That being said, everything must be done to minimize head and neck injuries and preserve the long-term health of its participants. Rules outlawing helmet to helmet hits or leading with the helmet are a good start. So is improved equipment and holding out athletes who have concussions. 

However, what truly needs to change is the culture surrounding the game. Players are often derided by fans, media, fellow players and coaches for missing games due to concussions. Toughness is often equated with playing hurt. And many fans, players, and coaches love hearing the sound of two helmets popping together after a big hit. But are those things worth the risk of ruining someone's life? Meaningful safety reforms in sports such as hockey, cycling, and NASCAR have only occurred after a death or multiple deaths of participants. I hate to think that will happen in football, but will the sight of someone dying after a big hit finally get the NFL and NCAA to clean up their act? Or will someone have the wherewithal to advocate change before the unthinkable happens?

Random Thoughts and Questions (Summer Edition)

So....I haven't really done a good job of writing on a regular basis. In fact, I haven't written a post all summer. To make up for this, here are my some random thoughts and questions I've come up with over the past few months.

1.

I think its pretty sad that certain politicians who shall remain nameless have used the Ground Zero Mosque controversy to boost their own political aspirations. It think its also sad (and quite pathetic) that people are using an event such as 9/11 to hide their own prejudices. Yes, Islamic terrorists carried out the attacks on Sept. 11. Yes, I realize the family members and friends of those killed and other Americans were deeply affected by the events on that Tuesday. But its also important to realize that there are nutjobs in every religious group; the actions of 19 men should not define a religion that has over 1 billion people. Besides, whatever happened to freedom of religion? Isn't this America? We're supposed to have values and respect for others.

Also, I highly doubt most of those upset about the mosque actually know anyone who is Muslim. Just a thought.

2. Speaking of Palin, I guess using the N word is okay as long as you don't use the word retarded.

3. So Shirley Sherrod, how's "post-racial" America treating you?

4. At least the Dodgers decided to start sucking in August instead of September.

5. My trip to DC this month was awesome. Nothing like hanging out with good friends, meeting new friends, and reconnecting with old friends. Hell, I might even consider moving to the area, except for, you know, the whole winter thing.

6. As long as Cal beats Stanfurd, makes a decent bowl, and doesn't get embarrassed by the conference's top teams, I'll be happy. Hell, since Cal's not supposed to do particularly well this year, maybe they can finally get over the hump and get to Pasadena for Jan. 1. Hey, stop laughing. It could happen. Really. It could.

7. Does it make me a horrible person if I'm not exactly saddened and dismayed by the sale of KTRU? I listened to the station all of three times while at Rice, all for sporting events. I mean, the station will still exist online, the students will still be in control, and the school gets money to continue to modernize its facilities. Considering the future of radio is online and the station can actually reach a broader audience, I don't see too much wrong with that.

8. History? Sociology? Education? Communications? African American Studies? I thought I had this grad school stuff figured out, but I don't. But hey, it's only the rest of my life I'm deciding on. No pressure, right.

9. Preseason football sucks. There. I said it.

10.



Lil' Wayne and Hall and Oates. Together. Yes, please.

11. Seriously, though, why does Rice play Texas? Why can't Rice play someone crappy for their first game like everybody else?

12. That being said, Rice will surprise some folks this year. I mean, it can't get any worse than last year, right?

13.


Unlike a lot of people, I didn't have a problem with LeBron leaving Cleveland for Miami. He was, after all, a free agent. However, an hour long special? WTF is that about? Choosing a new team is one thing; making a spectacle of yourself in another.

Also, what makes everyone think Miami is a shoo-in for the title next year? Yes, Miami will win a lot of games. Yes, Wade, Bosh, and James will win their share of titles. But last time I checked, the trio has won one title combined. Even great teams have to build chemistry and trust with each other. Who's going to be the leader? Who's going to be the go to guy in the clutch? Most importantly, how much are the other 9 players going to contribute? I'm definitely not trying to hate on the Heat, but hey, only time will tell how good this team can truly be.

Besides, Lakers are going back to back to back anyways.

14. This whole college football expansion talk isn't going to end well at all, especially for a school like Rice. Money, not tradition, is going to rule the day. Does a school like Rice, which prides itself on doing things the right way, want to be a part of an enterprise that is becoming more and more like a professional league.

15. Man, I have the worst luck with this whole dating thing.

16.


SMH. Yes, sadly, this is a real song. No snarky comment here. I got nothing.

17. I've definitely watched more soccer or...um football..... this summer than baseball. I dont necessarily think that's a bad thing either.

18. Holy crap, I'm 24. When did that happen?

19. If you post something controversial and argumentative on your Facebook, yet get mad when people who don't agree with you respond, you fail at the whole social media thing.

20.


Despite all of its many, many flaws, I still love LA.

Jim Joyce and The Call

27 up. 27 down.

The perfect game is indeed a special and rare moment in baseball lore. Only 20 pitchers have completed the feat in Major League history, including all time greats like Sandy Koufax and Catfish Hunter, a future (insane) congressman in Jim Bunning, and completely average pitchers such as Mike Witt, Len Barker, and Charlie Robertson.

Detroit Tiger pitcher Armando Galarraga was one out away from joining that exclusive club Wednesday night as he faced the Cleveland Indians. 26 up. 26 down.

2010 has already been a special year for pitchers. Ubaldo Jimenez of the Colorado Rockies no-hit the Atlanta Braves on April 17th. Dallas Braden of the Oakland A's and Roy Halladay of the Philadelphia Phillies both pitched perfect games last month.

And it looked like Galarraga would have no-hitter #4.

The 27th batter, Jason Donald, hit a grounder to Tiger first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera fielded the ball and flipped it to Galarraga, who beat Donald to the bag.

Perfect game.

Or not.

Umpire Jim Joyce called Donald safe.

Galarraga promptly got the next out, winning the game 3-0.

But the damage was done. No perfect game. No no-hitter.

Jim Joyce will now be linked to Don Denkinger, who many feel cost the St. Louis Cardinals the '85 World Series with a similar botched call in Game 6 of that series.

Joyce has become a household name for all the wrong reasons. He will forever be linked to the call. Millions of baseball fans are upset that Joyce could ruin a piece of baseball history.

I'm not one of those fans.

Yes, Joyce screwed up. Yes, Galarraga should have had a perfect game. Yes, replay probably would have solved the problem.

But it's also true that no one's perfect. I doubt 99.99999% of fans complaining on Twitter and Facebook have ever umped a game. Umpires make hundreds of thousands of split second decisions during the course of their careers. Believe it or not, they're not going to get each call right.

Joyce has worked two All-Star Games, nine post-season series, and two World Series. A pretty nice career. But now, many think he's the worst ump ever (By the way, if you think that, you suck. Plain and simple. But you probably already knew that.)

I feel sorry both Galarraga and Joyce. Galarraga missed out on baseball immorality. Joyce will undoubtedly get his share of hate mail, boos, and harrasement during the next several days and weeks ahead.

But in this otherwise imperfect moment for both men, Galarraga and Joyce handled the media scene after the game perfectly.

Joyce didn't shy away from his mistake. In fact, he admitted his error and even went to Galarraga and Tiger manager Jim Leyland to apologize. Pure class.

Galarraga, while obviously disappointed about not getting the no-no, didn't shower Joyce with angry words or refuse to speak to the ump. In fact, he accepted the apology and appreciated Joyce's gesture. How many of us would be able to handle that situation with the same grace?

Professional media pundits and their amateur counterpoints will undoubtedly spend the next few days pontificating on the need for instant replay and attacking Joyce's decision-making. But while the "experts" spend time trying to figure out how to make the game perfect, hopefully there will be some focus on how both player and umpire handled the perfect game that wasn't.

Besides, it's just a game. Time to move on. And let Joyce go back to work in peace.

20 Random Thoughts and Questions

1. I'm shocked, shocked I tell you that a Cleveland team choked in the playoffs. It's not like the city's professional sports team have a long, illustrious history of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory when it counts the most.

2. I kind of feel sorry for Laker Haters. I mean, rooting for the [insert bad to mediocre team here] can't be easy.

3. I've missed the Boondocks.

4. I have a bad feeling this is going to be another one of those "we're not going to totally suck, but we're not going to be good either" Dodger seasons.

5. Steve Nash = Baller. Can't question his toughness after the Spurs series.

6. I actually rooted for a professional Boston sports team this week. Wow.

7. Arizona was a Confederate Territory during the Civil War. Explains quite a bit.

8. I really hope the NCAA drops the hammer on $C, but I have a feeling it's not going to.

9. With all this talk of conference expansion, you can't say with a straight face that college athletics are amateur athletics anymore.

10. So how many people do you think are buying #23 Knicks jerseys with James on the back right now?

11. My first group of freshmen are graduating from Rice. I'm officially old.

12. I think the Lakers might actually pull it off this year. But I hope they don't overlook the Suns.

13. Inside the NBA might be the best show on television. And I'm dead serious.

14. With parking $15, Dodger Dogs $5, tickets more expensive than ever, and only season ticket holders being allowed to attend Yankee-Dodger games, it's likely the demographics of Dodger games will soon start to resemble the demographics of Laker games. And that's not necessarily a good thing.

15. Did the Atlanta Hawks realize that they were in the playoffs?

16. Am I the only baseball fan who doesn't care about the Red Sox-Yankees Rivalry?

17.



Really? But I guess you have to do what you have to do to get that George Wallace vote down in Alabama.

18. Judging by people's comments on YouTube and other websites, the U.S. educational system has failed A LOT of people. A LOT.

19. Can someone tell me why I'm a Clipper fan?

20. Whatever happened to "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free"?

Arizona Burning

By now, everybody has an opinion on Arizona's new immigration law, SB 1070. Polls have showed 70 percent of Arizona residents and over half of all Americans support the tough new measures, which allow police throughout the state to stop anyone they suspect of being illegal immigrants and ask them to provide proof of residency.

That still hasn't stopped some opponents of the bill from speaking out. For me, perhaps the biggest statement came from the NBA's Phoenix Suns. In the midst of their playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, the Suns decided to take a stand against the law. Owner Robert Sarver, General Manager Steve Kerr, and former league MVP Steve Nash all denounced the law in the media. On Cinco De Mayo, the Suns decided to wear their "Los Suns" jerseys as a sign of solidarity with Arizona's Latino community.

In a time where athletes are often too concerned with their public image to make any sort of political statement, the Suns' gesture speaks volumes about their organization. The NBA tries to hammer home the idea that their teams honestly care about the communities through its NBA Cares PR campaign. The Suns (and the Spurs, who wanted to join the protest, but couldn't due to logistic reasons) proved to me that players and management do indeed care.

As for my personal opinions on the law, I think its something that P.W. Botha would have been proud of. You can't tell me with a straight face that some measure of racial profiling won't come into play in enforcing the law. I'll be the first to say that our country needs a comprehensive immigration policy. Issues such as the security of our borders, the spread of Mexican drug cartel violence to Southwestern states, and the status of immigrants already in the country do need to be addressed by the Obama Administration. However, this law reflects more the fear and frustration of the Arizona citizenry and the need for politicians such as John McCain and Jan Brewer to make strong election year statements than an attempt to actually address the immigration issue in a way that's fair to everyone.

In trying to understand why Arizona took such an extreme position, you can look to Arizona's past for answers. Arizona hasn't necessarily had the best track record on issues of civil rights. In 1964, it voted for native son Barry Goldwater during that year's presidential election. On the surface, that seems rather harmless. Unless your Al Gore, your home state will vote for you during a presidential election. But consider that the only other states to vote for Goldwater were in the Deep South, which was angry that incumbent Democratic president Lyndon Johnson had the audacity to sign the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law that summer.

In the late 80s and early 90s, Arizona made national news when voters decided against having the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. In response, opponents organized a successful convention boycott of the state. Several college football teams rejected the annual Fiesta Bowl held in Tempe. The NFL moved Super Bowl XXVII away from the state as well. Eventually, the state got the message and signed the holiday into law.

Besides the immigration bill, the state has also signed into law an education reform billed aimed at ending ethnic studies classes throughout the state. Many schools in Arizona, specifically in Tucson, teach courses based around Latino culture. Now, due to fears of promoting "ethnic chauvinism," the courses will be cut. Proponents believe such programs promote a hatred of whites and the belief that Latinos are oppressed people.

Let's think about this for a second. Basically, these kids are to be taught they live in a colorblind society. But if they look like an illegal immigrant, well..............

At the end of the day, immigration does need to be reformed. But are you sure you want to follow Arizona's lead in doing so?

Whistlin' Dixie

If you haven't heard by now, Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell declared April Confederate History Month. In his original proclamation, McDonnell acknowledged the state's role as the capital of the Confederate States of America, the fact that many key battles took place on state soil, and even praised the " sacrifices of the Confederate leaders, soldiers and citizens during the period of the Civil War."

But there's one thing McDonnell forgot to mention in his proclamation: slavery.

Oops.

Now, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour might not think the proclamation and omission is a big deal, but I think Barbour, McDonnell, and many others who cling to the Confederacy and its symbols need a quick history lesson.

Like it or not, the Confederacy separated from the Union to uphold slavery. You could say that other issues such as states' rights or the balance of power between North and the South caused the war, but those issues have a large link to slavery.

Overlooking slavery's role in the Civil War is like talking about World War II and overlooking the fact that the Holocaust happened. You just can't do it.

The fact that McDonnell sees fit to honor the Confederacy should also turn heads.

While they lost the war, many in Confederate states tried their darnedest to keep former slaves in their place. After Reconstruction, the many political and social gains Southern Blacks got immediately after the war were rolled back. Jim Crow laws kept former slaves isolated economically and socially from the rest of Southern society. The Ku Klux Klan and other groups ushered in a violent period where it was acceptable to lynch and maim blacks.

During the Civil Rights Movement, when blacks had the audacity to challenge over 400 years of mistreatment, white segregationists responded by trotting out the Confederate flag and other trappings of the good ol' days.

The message was clear: Whites were supposed to rule the South. The Confederacy was willing to go to war for it in 1861. The Ku Klux Klan made sure former slaves knew that in 1867 and again in 1915. George Wallace and Bull Connor made sure Civil Rights protesters knew it in 1963.

When I wrote back in November about the University of Mississippi's ban of the chant "the South Will Rise Again," Southerners accused me of picking on Mississippi and the South, being too PC, and trying to stir up problems by bringing up the distant past.

However, what those readers fail to realize is that the actions of their ancestors have had far reaching consequences in the history of this country.

Last Saturday, I went to the America I Am traveling exhibit that's here in Los Angeles. The exhibit literally takes you through the African American experience, from pre-slavery to the Obama presidency.

While the experience was uplifting, you got a sense of the pain blacks felt for much of this country's history. It's true that both North and South have had their racial issues, that both sides at one point had slaves. But it was the Confederate states who literally fought to uphold the system of white domination, and for all intents and purposes did uphold the system until the mid 1960s.

Simply put, it's nothing to celebrate.

An introduction

If you know me, you know I like sports. Correction: you know I LOVE sports. Sports have been my passion since I can remember. Apparently for a time when I was 2, I thought my name was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. I learned to read in part by scanning the LA Times sports page every day since I was 3 or 4. My childhood memories often center around going to Dodger, Laker, Clipper(Ugh), SC, UCLA, Angel, Spark, or King games. I even studied sport in undergrad and grad school. I guess you can say I'm obsessed.

With that said, this won't be a sport blog. I'll definitely talk about sports regularly, but mostly from a historical or sociological perspective. Instead, I'll use this space to talk about other issues that interest me. Politics, race (warning: this will be discussed alot), pop culture, media. Anything and everything is fair game. Whatever the topic, hopefully I can spark discussion and debate, and ultimately help my readers, as well as myself, learn something new.