I decided to bring back the Athlete Weekly Rundown column, but this time around, it will be structured a little bit differently. Each week, we will bring you three categories of stories: (1) Athletic Development (2) Business and (3) Human Relations.
What a wild week it has been with Cam Newton being declared eligible and LeBron James returning to Cleveland last night. I'm looking forward to the heated AFC North match-up between the Ravens and Steelers on Sunday Night Football. If you have an article that would be beneficial to athletes, please send it my way (matt at accessathletes dot com).
Athletic Development
- Cam Newton is free and clear after a Reggie Bush witch hunt ends with no evidence, at least for the time being. This case is a powerful reminder that you better choose your inner circle carefully, which unfortunately can sometimes mean being leery of even your own parents and their motives. [Take your pick: NCAA Press Release; NCAA rules Auburn's Cam Newton is eligible to compete; NCAA decision on Newton opens Pandora’s box; Why the NCAA got it right in the Cameron Newton case;
NCAA president responds to Newton backlash; Ruling on Newton Is Drawing Criticism]
- This proves just how important the mental component and the will to win can be. [Injured High School Track Star Crawls to Finish Line for Team, Coach]
- Attitude can make on or break your career. Players take note of the New York Knicks' Landry Fields. [Draft’s Vagaries on Display at the Garden]
- Acupuncture treatment is on the rise in the NFL. [Acupuncturist Treats 40 N.F.L. Players in 4 Cities]
- James Harrison is leading a pack of NFL players who have grown tired of the rash of fines being levied by Goodell for dangerous hits. Will the NFLPA make a stand? [Steelers Linebacker Sees Hypocrisy, Not Dirty Hits; Smith Reacts To Ward's Comments]
Business
- Keyon Dooling realizes that being a professional athlete is short-lived and is building himself a nice little empire of businesses. [Keyon Dooling Talks Business]
- Usain Bolt holds the key for Puma and is the model for an athlete endorsement deal paying dividends. [Usain Bolt is our key brand asset — Puma]
- The deals come in long after retirement for the most elite athletes. [Muhammad Ali Brand To Be Pitched In Europe, Asia]
- No need to start panicking about a lockout in either the NFL or NBA until we get closer to the deadlines. [Lockout Predictions Are A Waste Of Air]
- Will Derek Jeter keep taking the shots being fired at him by the Yankees or will he be wearing a new uniform next year? [Maybe Jeter Should Leave and Expand His Horizons]
Human Relations
- It's no surprise that infidelity is rampant amongst pro athletes. [The sports infidelity equation]
- I'm tired of reading columns about LeBron James, but Whitlock's column raises some good questions about whether LeBron's antics will keep him from reaching his full potential. [Sorry, but LeBron's a lost cause]
- It's always nice to see when athletes recognize that they are in fact role models. Sorry Chuck. [Much-Maligned Delonte West Realizes He's a Role Model]
- An unusual, but admirable path to Division I basketball. [James takes road less traveled to FSU]
- Tony Richardson is an example of how pro athletes can have a tremendous impact on peoples' lives. [16-Year-Old Who Needs Transplants Opens Richardson’s Heart]
- The LPGA is definitely one of the most progressive professional leagues. [LPGA votes to change policy, allow transgender women]
