By Ken Reed
The June 10th issue of Sports Illustrated had a very telling story about the state of college sports in this country. The article, titled Go For It On Fourth and Multiply, by Stewart Mandel and Andy Staples, highlights the mushrooming staffs of big-time college football programs in this country. For example, the […]
Continue Reading →: Big-Time College Sports is an Out-of-Control Monster
By Ken Reed
Talk about warped priorities.
Chicago, in the midst of perhaps the biggest budget crisis in its history, has decided to close 50 of the city’s public schools while spending $100 million of taxpayer money on a new basketball arena for DePaul University, a private institution.
The public school closings will impact […]
Continue Reading →: Chicago Mayor Pushes Taxpayer-Subsidized Arena as 50 Public Schools Shut Down
By Ken Reed
Gradually. Progress.
Hockey is slowly moving out of the stone ages when it comes to unnecessary violence that can lead to brain trauma.
After a long debate, Hockey Canada’s board of directors voted to eliminate bodychecking at the peewee level (11 and 12-year-old boys).
It’s a smart move — and a […]
By Ken Reed
Last month, in a lawsuit brought by the family of a severely injured high school football player, a Colorado state-court jury found several parties at fault, including helmet maker Riddell, for failing to warn players adequately about the dangers of concussions.
The jury awarded $11.5 million to the family of […]
Continue Reading →: Colorado Court Ruling One More Step Toward the End of High School Football
By Ken Reed
According to a Washington Post survey, more than one in three former NFL players said they experienced five or more concussions during their careers. Moreover, three out of four players who experienced at least three concussions while playing report experiencing continuing symptoms from those concussions today — in some cases, decades after […]
Continue Reading →: Time for Full Disclosure to Football Players on Health Consequences
By Ken Reed
The NFL is facing major concussion-related litigation in the coming months. The NHL might not be far behind.
The family of former NHL enforcer Derek Boogaard has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the NHL, claiming the NHL was grossly negligent on multiple fronts. In particular, the Boogaard family’s lawyers claim […]
Continue Reading →: Boogaard Lawsuit Could Be the First Step Toward a Fight Ban in the NHL
By Ken Reed
In research to be published this summer in the International Journal of Sport Communication, negative tactics, including verbally aggressive language, were found to be less effective in motivating athletes than coaches with a more affirming style.
“This study shows that extra amounts of verbal aggression in the coach-athlete relationship is a negative […]
Continue Reading →: New Study Shows Negative Coaching Styles Ineffective
By Ken Reed
Frederick Douglas once said, “Power concedes nothing without a demand.” It’s a great quote. However, most of the time, demands — even of the loud variety — won’t do the trick.
People in power, especially those with economic power, don’t change the models that have given them an advantageous position without being […]
Continue Reading →: O’Bannon Case Could Blow Up the College Sports Economic System
By Ken Reed
Two of the most active advocates for social justice and human rights in the NFL have been released within a month of each other.
Punter Chris Kluwe, formerly of the Minnesota Vikings, and Linebacker Brandon Ayanbadejo, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens have been cut this NFL offseason. Kluwe and Ayanbadejo were outspoken […]
Continue Reading →: Did Kluwe’s and Ayanbadejo’s Views Lead to Their NFL Releases?
By Ken Reed
Sportsworld, perhaps the last bastion of pure unadulterated homophobia in American culture, had its closet door kicked slightly ajar Monday when NBA player Jason Collins became the first active, openly gay athlete to come out in one of the four major American team sports leagues.