Tag Archives: MLS Cup

  • The Defender Five

    Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP PhotoA plethora of eye-opening and astonishing stories in the sports world have arisen, as of late. Evidence has been brought to light that the NFL knew about the debilitating effects of repeated blows to the head when Commissioner Roger Goodell testified to Congress in 2009. Goodell said then that the NFL reported no ill-effects of head injury but were in fact quietly paying 3 former players disability benefits. Reports from independent doctors verify that the individual players were disabled from impacts sustained while active. Moving forward the NFL will undoubtedly have to take ownership in the issue of its players’ safety.

     

    In a related story, the San Fransisco 49ers and Chicago Bears played one another last night, each without their starting quarterbacks. (The 49ers won 32-7 partially due to their sub quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s excellent performance.) This game marked a rare yet somber occasion, one of the few times in history that two teams have squared off against each other using backup quarterbacks due to concussion disabilities. This points to a new, dangerous era in football, and sports in general.

     

    In U.S. soccer news, the L.A. Galaxy and the Houston Dynamo will square off in a rematch of last year’s MLS cup on Dec. 1. The Houston Dynamo has been soccer’s Cinderella story this year, barely staving off defeat to sneak into the playoff bracket. Popular opinion is that the Galaxy will walk away with the hardware this year, but that is up for debate. It will definitely be a match to remember.

     

    The NCAA recently made a substantial change to the structure of the Big Ten Conference, which has been slowly inviting and accepting more competitive teams than in the past. Welcome Maryland, the newest member of the Big Ten. As viewership has dwindled as of late, there have been many attempts to shake up the league. This will bring about quick change and bring in Maryland football fans.

     

    *Scientists have no conclusive evidence as to whether or how the reduction of g forces during impacts reduces the number or degree of concussions and head injuries. GelDefenderTM products provide supplemental padding as well as cooling and comfort benefits when used with helmets and caps. Participants in activities in which head impacts can occur should always use tested and approved helmets for protection. However, no helmet or supplemental padding can protect the user from all serious head or neck injuries that can result from impacts.

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