Milbury’s Thinking an Example of NHL’s Stone-Age Mentality
In one tirade, hockey analyst — and former NHL coach and general manager — Mike Milbury demonstrated how far the NHL has to go on the concussion issue.
After a wild fight in Sunday’s Philadelphia-Pittsburgh NHL game, touched off in part by a cross-check Philadelphia’s Brayden Schenn delivered to Crosby, Milbury called NHL superstar Sidney Crosby a “punk” and “little goody-two-shoes.” When he referenced Crosby’s “35th concussion,” he also seemingly made light of Crosby’s concussion history by exaggerating the number of concussions Crosby has experienced.
“He’s not the perfect gentleman,” concluded Milbury. “He’s not the sweet kid you see in interviews with his hat pulled down over his eyes.” [Crosby may have had his hat pulled down over his eyes due to light sensitivity, a common concussion symptom.]
After catching some heat for his comments, Milbury apologized Tuesday. However, Crosby’s agent, Pat Brisson, wasn’t satisfied.
“Milbury went too far this time attacking the very sensitive issue of the concussion,” said Brisson.
Attacking Crosby’s actions on the ice is one thing, but bringing up his concussion history as part of his criticism is not only insensitive, it shows a lack of awareness and understanding when it comes to the serious issue of brain trauma in the NHL.
— Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director, League of Fans
Sports Forum Podcast
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Episode #20 – League of Fans’ Sports Forum podcast: Coaching Youth and High School Sports Based On What’s Best for the Athlete’s Holistic Development – We chat with long-time youth, high school and college basketball coach Jim Huber.
Episode #19 – League of Fans’ Sports Forum podcast: Capturing the Spirit of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League with Anika Orrock – We discuss the hoops AAGPFL women had to jump through to play the game they loved as well as the long-term impact and legacy they have in advancing sports opportunities for girls and women.
Episode #18 – League of Fans’ Sports Forum podcast: Talking about the 50th Anniversary of Title IX and the Lia Thomas Controversy with Nancy Hogshead-Makar – Hogshead-Makar is a triple gold medalist in swimming, a civil rights attorney and CEO of Champion Women.
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"How We Can Save Sports" author Ken Reed appears on Fox & Friends to explain how there's "too much adult in youth sports."
Ken Reed appears on Mornings with Gail from KFKA Radio in Colorado to discuss bad parenting in youth athletics.
“Should College Athletes Be Paid?” Ken Reed on The Morning Show from Wisconsin Public Radio
Ken Reed appears on KGNU Community Radio in Colorado (at 02:30) to discuss equality in sports and Title IX.
Ken Reed appears on the Ralph Nader Radio Hour (at 38:35) to discuss his book The Sports Reformers: Working to Make the World of Sports a Better Place, and to talk about some current sports issues.
- League of Fans Sports Policy Director Ken Reed quoted in Washington Post column titled "What happened to P.E.? It’s losing ground in our push for academic improvement," by Jay Mathews
League of Fans is a sports reform project founded by Ralph Nader to fight for the higher principles of justice, fair play, equal opportunity and civil rights in sports; and to encourage safety and civic responsibility in sports industry and culture.
Sports & Torts – Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director, League of Fans – at the American Museum of Tort Law
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