Sports Then and Now

After missing the 2015 season with a knee injury, can Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson return to past form?

Fans who plan on betting on NFL football should know there are two crippling components in the league, injuries and suspension. Players misbehaving off the field is one thing, but players not playing due to something that is completely out of their control is soul crushing for both the athlete and the sportsbook user. While offseason injuries can usually be accounted for, a mid-game injury could have a drastic outcome for the game. Sometimes a player being carted off can open the lane for a future hall of famer, as was the case for Brett Favre. Other times it can cost teams the game and those betting on NFL football their money. In a sport as physical football it’s important to have an indication of which players are prone to injuries, and which players are recovering from injuries. A quick glance at NFL history will reveal just how devastating injuries can be to players, teams, and sportsbook users.

Indubitably the biggest injury sustained in the history of the NFL was suffered by Joe Theismann. In one of the most memorable hits ever delivered legendary linebacker Lawrence Taylor snapped both the tibia and fibula of the former Redskins quarterback. The film The Blind Side highlights this moment and states that this hit is the reason that left tackles usually receive the second highest salary on the team. Theismann’s career was ended and it took Washington 9 years to win another Super Bowl. The NFL lost a great quarterback, and those who picked the Redskins as favorites for NFL futures lost their money.

While not all injuries sustained in the NFL are that tragic, they can be just as costly to fans betting on NFL football. Last season Green Bay’s quarterback Aaron Rodgers went without his favorite target, Jordy Nelson. Rodgers was able to find success by putting up modest numbers and the Pack still made it to the divisional round, but there’s no doubting that if Nelson had been on the field the Packers would have gone further. This example proves the impact injuries have on a football team, even if that injury isn’t sustained by that team’s most valuable player. Read the rest of this entry →

Summer has arrived, and now that your kids are out of school for the summer, it’s time to keep them busy with some outdoor sports. Their summer vacation gives them a well-earned break from books, tests, and grades, and the opportunity to enjoy nature and exercise will fill their time. Use the summer to get them interested in a new sport or hobby. Here are some of the best ways to occupy their time.

Swimming for Fun and Safety
Swimming is a favorite summer sport that can include the whole family. To build on your children’s comfort and skills in the water, consider signing them up for swimming lessons through your local parks and recreation district. Swimming is a fun sport for developing athletic skills and endurance, but it is also a practical skill that every child should learn for safety around bodies of water.

Enjoying Nature: Hiking
Hiking is a family-friendly summer sport that offers kids the opportunity to develop an interest in our natural world. Trees, wildflowers, and wildlife provide a hands-on educational experience about the environment, and the peace of the beautiful outdoors will build a passion for exploring nature. Structured hiking opportunities can include children’s camps and group nature hikes that will develop athletic endurance and outdoor skills.  Read the rest of this entry →

You love sports. You want to visit as many games this year as humanly possible. And, who knows travel better than those sportswriters who have to go from stadium to arena? Here’s what experts can tell you about their travels.

Never Check Your Bag

You’ be surprised by how much you can get into a carry-on. Most people don’t even think about how little they need for their trip. Of course, you have to follow the rules on carrying liquids onto the plane.

In case you haven’t flown on a plane since 9/11, here’s the 411:

You can bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes with you in your carry-on bag or through the checkpoint area. This bag can’t be filled to the brim, of course. You are limited to containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. You must place each bottle in the small bag and separate them from your carry-on baggage. It must be done in a way that facilitates the screening process. If you have liquid in containers larger than the limit, don’t bring them. It’s rare you’d need any such items anyway.

And, it’ll save you time when you get off the plane since you won’t have to go to the baggage claim area. With some airlines still charging for checked bags, you can save yourself money, too. Read the rest of this entry →

Head injuries are a common occurrence in many sports and can range from mild concussions, to severe or even traumatic brain injuries. All athletes, regardless of the sport, risk injuries, but some sports have much higher rates than others. Here is a look at some of the most dangerous sports out there.

Boxing
Boxing has one of the highest rates of brain injury of any sport. On average, being hit by a professional boxer is like being hit with a bowling ball moving at 20 miles per hour. About 90 percent of boxers, both professional and amateur, have received some type of head injury from the sport, and one in five have received a traumatic brain injury.

Football
Tens of thousands of people visit the emergency room every year with head injuries caused by football. This sport has the highest concussion rate for high school sports, and at least one third of NFL players have received traumatic brain injuries from playing. Read the rest of this entry →

One of the most common ways that many people are injured is by participating in sports or athletic activities on a regular basis. With all the tackles and jumps that are performed, it can be easy to strain muscles and break legs. To continue participating in sports and avoid athletic injuries, there are a few important tips to follow.

Use Protective Equipment

Wearing protective equipment is an effective way to reduce the risk of injuries in sports that involve physical contact between different players. If possible, wear protective headgear and padding to protect the most vulnerable parts of the body from too much force or pressure. Contact footwear can also be worn to reduce the risk of twisting your ankle or breaking it by having proper support with physical activity.

Warm Up Before Playing Sports

Although it can be easy to want to jump into practice or a game once arriving on the court or field, warming up is essential to preparing your body for extra strain. Spend 10 to 15 minutes stretching, exercising your muscles, and increasing your blood flow for increased flexibility. Start the warm up process slowly and stretch out each muscle to prepare it for different movements that you’ll perform.

Follow the Rules

Each sport has different rules to follow, which help create order with the game and can also reduce the risk of injuries that are prone to develop. Following the rules can allow you to protect yourself and will also prevent harm that can be inflicted on other players in the game. If you’re injured by another player, it’s important to seek personal injury help and obtain legal assistance to seek compensation to cover the costs of medical bills or lost wages. Read the rest of this entry →

Summer is quickly approaching, which means that your kids will be done with school. While they look forward to the few months off, you may be wondering what to do with them. Most parents opt for summer camps and youth sports teams to help keep their kids active and entertained during the summer. But what if your child isn’t too interested in participating? Instead of forcing it upon them, which you know will just make the situation worse, consider the following six ways you can get your kids excited about summer camps and sports.

1. Know your child.

Before you decide what to do with your child during the summer, make sure you know what interests them. If your child is shy, that theater camp may not be the best idea. Be sure to really think about what could benefit your child and what would interest them before making a final decision.

2. Let them choose.

Instead of forcing your child to attend a certain camp or play a certain sport, give them a choice. Let them know that they need to participate in some type of activity, but by giving them the freedom to choose, you will pique their interest. Maybe your child who spent the last six years playing baseball now wants to try hockey. Maybe your child wants to attend a different summer camp. When you allow your child to choose what activities they’re involved in, they will be more excited.

3. Choose activities with their friends.

Chances are that your child’s friends will also be participating in activities during the summer, so sign your child up for something they can do with their peers. If your child knows someone else attending the summer camp or playing on the sports team, he or she will be more excited to join. Talk with other parents and see what their children will be doing this summer. Then, make arrangements for your child to do the same thing. You’ll find they’re more excited about it now that they have other people to talk to. Read the rest of this entry →