Safety isn't just a position.

The past few years in the NFL have been turbulent at best. One of the largest liabilities the NFL currently faces is the issue of player safety. Football has always been an aggressive sport that comprises elements of danger. While the sport has not dramatically changed in several years, the players have been getting stronger and faster due to improvements in sports science and workout techniques. These improvements in player physicality have surpassed the strength and quality of the gear that is meant to protect them and has been allegedly causing irreparable damage to the athletes. I did a bit of reading on the topic and came across an article dealing with calls for amendments in the collective bargaining agreement dealing with player safety. DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFLPA (NFL Player’s Association), held a press conference earlier this year where he addressed the issues he and his players faced and would like to see improved.

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#2 - Texas A&M

The benefits of being a professional athlete are numerous. One of the biggest perks of extraordinary athletic skill is the ability to profit from your name and likeness. Endorsements account for millions of an athlete’s yearly income. In 2010/11 Michael Jordan earned about $60 Million through contracts with companies like Gatorade, Nike, and Hanes. LeBron has made about $40 Million, and Washington Redskins’ rookie dynamo, RG3, has recently signed several deals with Gatorade, EvoShield, and Subway that will earn him millions in revenue. These endorsement deals allow the athletes to earn extra income merely by slapping his name on some merchandise or allowing their likeness to be used in advertisements. Now, if you’re thinking, “I can’t wait to get to college, play my butt off, and sling some number 2 combos for McDonalds,” well you’re in for a huge disappointment. As in the case of Johnny Manziel, lovingly nicknamed “Johnny Football,” your name and likeness belongs to your school and the NCAA, meaning that all revenue earned by the presence and aura of Mr. Football does not belong to him.

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The Year of LeBron

When I think of the biggest sports headline of 2012, my mind races with so many options. The world of sports is so large, that I cannot honestly choose one story over another. 2012, like many other years, had an abundance of significant headlines, from the NBA lockout to the London Olympics. I felt overwhelmed trying to find the biggest story, and then it came to me. 2012 was a big year for NBA superstar LeBron James, despite what the majority of basketball fans think. He dominated both the national and international stage, and he did it with a kind heart and a smile on his face.

By Javier Mendez

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