Lacrosse Concussion Lawsuit

Concussion -  temporary unconsciousness or confusion and other symptoms caused by a blow to the head.

Concussions are the "hot topic" of the day...especially in heavy hitting sports like football and hockey. There is no question that this is a serious subject and all leagues are standing up and taking notice. Equipment is being improved, rules are being changed and everybody seems to be interested in making these sports more safe.

Here is what bothers me: The Lawsuits.

For example:

NFL
There has been a settlement worth a proposed $765 million in the NFL's concussion case that included some 4500 former players suing the league over head trauma. The settlement breaks down to $170,000, on average, per player (see more on this article)

NHL
It finally happened: Ten retired NHL players are suing the NHL in a class action lawsuit alleging that the league didn't do enough to protect their brains.
(see more on this article)

I do not want to make light of the seriousness of a concussion, as it causes a lot of pain and suffering for the victims, and their families -- and often long term.

...but...

Give me a break.

Actually, come to think of it...I think I might start my own class action lawsuit. We could be RICH!!! What a great idea. Who wants in?

Here is my plan.

1/ I will start my calling my buddy Stu. Not only is he a lawyer, he is also a lacrosse player (we have played together since I was six). He has also been hit on the noodle more times then a piñata at a Mike Tyson birthday party. He is the perfect guy for this. - In Stu's first year of lacrosse, helmets were optional...this is going to be great.

                                               Exhibit "A"  - Concussion Worthy?

2/ Determine who we should sue:

- Start with my parents I think, it is their fault after all to get me involved in this violent sport to begin with - What were they thinking? - I could get hurt...what is wrong with synchronized swimming or cross country running?
 - Of course, I would have to sue my brothers (sorry guys) - but you guys hit me in the head...a lot. Especially my youngest brother, also a lacrosse player. (Tippy). You may have read the story in an earlier blog - the one where he kicked me in the head with his one "sundaygotomeeting" shoe on. He is definitely getting sued. (read that old blog here)
- Next - Minor lacrosse must also be to blame, after all, it must be their fault that some crazy kid drove my head into the boards from behind and his crazy parents were cheering him on.(I will sue the crazy kid - he might be Rich now - and his crazy parents too).
- Sue all the lacrosse organizations: there should have been disclaimers at minor lacrosse registration that said "if you play lacrosse you might get your bell rung, and if you do, you cannot sue us many years later".
- Sue the equipment manufacturers...they should have designed better equipment, a long time ago...what were they waiting for?

                                        What a beauty!!

- We are definitely going to sue the NFL and the NHL - they have very deep pockets and my years of watching these two great sports made me think getting hit in the head was ok. This is going to be great. We will be Rich.   $$$$$

- Sue all the booster clubs I have ever been in. Lord knows how many times I have bumped heads in a booster club. We should have had helmets on. Someone should have told us.

I guess I could go on and on here. This could be the greatest lawsuit of all time.

**Notice**

For those of you that don't appreciate satire, let me say this. Although I have empathy for all those people that are affected by serious concussions, I do also think that ultimately, we have to take some responsibility for our own decisions. Especially the athletes that choose to play these rough, head jarring sports professionally, and get paid a lot of money to do it. I wonder out of all the NHL and NFL players that get money on this lawsuit played the game, just because they loved it. Playing a game they love...knowing it was rough, and getting paid...and now suing. Interesting.

I wonder if anyone has told the UFC guys about this whole concussion thing. Ha. That is funny.

Please share your comments on my facebook page or my twitter page @passitonsports and add #lacrosseheadbump to join the conversation.

My Top 5 Sports

What is your favorite sport?  Can you answer that without doubt? Or does it depend?

For me...it really depends. You can break down sports into 3 categories for me.

Favorite Sport to watch on Television.
Favorite Sport to watch live.
Favorite Sport to play.


After having a look at this myself...I was kind of surprised.

Here we go.


Top Five Sports to watch on TV  (for me)

1. NFL Football. The NFL just gets it. They have the best coverage, the best video highlights, the best announcers, the best analysis (sometimes too much) - It is a slick, professional production from start to finish. I guess that is why they have the best ratings....easily.

2. NBA Basketball.   I know the NBA is not on many peoples list as Number 2. But it is on mine. I almost put this as number one. The NBA is a sport I can watch...anytime, any teams. I love the sport. I love the athleticism and the skill displayed by these great athletes.

3.  NHL HOCKEY - For the people from Canada, I am sure this is Number One on a lot of lists. And why not...fast paced, hard hitting, and great television production. Nice way to spend a Saturday night. And the winner? - takes home The Stanley Cup.

4. PGA GOLF - For some Golf is a snooze fest. For me, It is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. My Dad watched Golf for years, I never really got it. I do now. It takes me to a different place. Warm weather, green grass, and great golf. I love it. Of course, I do like the Majors the best...especially the Masters.

5. CFL Football - The CFL has been around for a very long time. It always struggles to get viewers...but from a purely "entertaining" product... I am a fan. It is a crazy quirky game, with tons of motion at all times. There are more great finishes in CFL games then you would believe. Try it out sometime.

Top 5 sports to see live


1. - NBA Basketball - love the whole experience - start to finish
2. - NHL Hockey - fast pace....lots going on
3. - NLL Lacrosse - a great "fan experience" - love the game (even without a consistent fast break)

 



 

 

4. - PGA Golf - have you ever seen these guys live....the are really really good.

 

5. - NCAA Football - If you have never done this....DO IT -  An experience you will not soon forget.

 

 

Top five sports that I like to play (includes my childhood)

 

1. - Lacrosse -  Far and away the best sport to play - ever. Box Lacrosse, Field Lacrosse, Pickup lacrosse, whatever....I love this game.

2. - Basketball - A "similar game" to lacrosse. I love this game too....competitive or even shooting hoops in the driveway.

3. - Ball Hockey - better known as road hockey back in the day...I could play this game forever on a crisp fall afternoon

4. - Golf - a Beautiful  4.5 hour walk...good exercise...good for the mind, and every single time it is a challenge, no matter what your skill level.

5. - Touch Football - get off of Facebook...forget about Twitter....get outside with some buddies and play some touch football, a great way to have some fun.

 

 

 

SPECIAL EVENTS

 

Some events I love to watch...I did not list....because they are in a Specialty category.

 

NCAA March Madness (Basketball)

 

Ryder Cup Golf

 

Olympics (Winter or Summer - I am easy)

 

Playoffs (if my team is in the playoffs, in any sport...the interest level picks up big time) - For example, I don't really like watching MLB Baseball...but when the Blue Jays were in it in the early 90's...I was glued to the TV and I hung on every pitch. It was amazing.

 

 

I know I have left a lot of Your Favorite Sports out. Please feel free to leave a comment.

 

This is MY List only.

 

 

 



The Sedins

 The Vancouver Canucks are not "my" team....but they are my Aunt Linda's and that is good enough for me.

The Canucks have long been a great hockey team and in 2011 were one win away from hoisting Lord Stanley above their heads. What happened after that loss (The Riot) has been a stain on a great city, and we are all, I think, trying to put that one behind us.

Controversy has also followed Goaltender Roberto Luongo, as the on again off again love affair with the city has grown a bit tiresome. In my humble opinion, Luongo is a top 5 goalie in the NHL, and if I owned a team, strictly from a performance standpoint....I would be happy to have him. (Aunt Linda might disagree....she does have her own opinions as well)

Roberto - By The Numbers.- I am not sure what you think is the best way to "judge a goalie" but I am a fan of save percentage. When you shoot a puck at a goalie, what percentage of the time does the netminder stop the puck. A fair assessment. Did you know that Luongo  is in the top 5 -All Time?

There are some good goaltenders on this list....and check out "Lou's" Games played. Pretty Impressive long time goalie.

I digress. This was not the purpose of this blog. Why has Vancouver been so successful for so long? Two reasons....or is it one? The Sedin Brothers. Henrick and Daniel. They "are" the Vancouver Canucks.

The brothers have free agency coming up (or did) - and could command a pretty penny on the open market. Whether they went as a pair, or individually...they would make some big coin.       
There has lot of joke about the twins of late, from various media types....I don't get it really. Maybe I don't get the "joke".  I have heard things like...why can't they get their own life? Why do they always have to be together? Why Why Why?

I say why not? If you have a team, any team...do you not want guys that get along? Do you not want guys that understand each other, support each other...make each other better? - I say a BIG yes to that. Good chemistry is always good for a team. Period. And the Sedin's  ooze chemistry. Simply put...they get it. They understand the game.

By the numbers.

Henrick has played 955 games in the NHL (all with Vancouver) and has 185 goals and 625 assists for 810 points..  Impressive playmaker to say the least.
Daniel has played 921 games and has 297 goals and 476 assists for 773 points. Wow.

So...to quickly summarize, I see two players that share the puck, rarely miss games and are always a positive addition to the ice.

They just resigned with Vancouver this week. The Swedish twins signed for 4 years for $28 million each. Some say they could have inked bigger deals elsewhere, if they decided to at free agency. I say to those people "GET A LIFE"!

You know I am a hopeless romantic that likes the feel good story. This story is right up there in the "Feel Good" archives.

1. They like playing for the Canucks.
2. They like living in Vancouver.
3. Their families also love the city. (who wouldn't)
4. They love playing on the same team

Kind of a no brainer. Every single year the Canucks are in the playoffs and contend. No kidding. Look at the numbers.

...and if you are worried they signed for "less" then they should have....let's play my favorites numbers game. $7 million translates to roughly $270,000 every 2 weeks (how much do you make every two weeks?) -
...if you make $80,000 per year (a decent salary) you need to work 87.5 years to make what they make in 1 year. Depressing (for us) - but, lets not get caught up in numbers all the time.

Bottom line...I have always admired guys who can play an entire career with one team. It is incredibly rare. But...I like it. Sure the Sedin's would like a Stanley Cup, and they might get one with Vancouver. Good Luck boys.




Oh, btw, tonight The Blue and White go to Vancouver to play.

I say Go Leafs Go. (I say 4 - 3 Leafs)