Athlete Development
- After learning what it means to work in the real world and pay bills, Tony Woods values the opportunity to be a student-athlete again now more than ever. [Ex-Wake standout Woods seeks second chance]
- There is nothing wrong with reopening your recruitment if the head coach retires (e.g. Gary Williams) to ensure that you will have made the best choice. [Nick Faust, Sterling Gibbs reopen recruitments]
- There is no replacement for hard work. Jared Dudley (Phoenix Suns) has turned himself into a starting-caliber shooting guard in the NBA after 4 years. He is constantly working on improving his weaknesses. [Jared Dudley keeps improving on his journey to a starting spot]
- Inspiring story about Michael Jasper, 7th round draftee for the Buffalo Bills. The 6-foot-5 nose tackle, who now weighs in the 370-pound range, has such a positive attitude and hunger to succeed. I really look forward to seeing him on the field soon (after the lockout ends of course). [Jasper overcomes enormous odds on journey to NFL]
Business
- UFC President Dana White gets it: “You don’t want someone else running your business. You are your business. You should know everything about it, no matter how much you trust whoever is handling your [money]. You should know 100 percent what is going on with your life and with your business.” [Fighter summit educates about finances]
- It's about time the UFC fighters are afforded this benefit. Perhaps they could use a union? [Zuffa set to offer fighters accident insurance]
- Speaking of insurance, our friend "Big Daddy" was featured in this recent WSJ profile. He and his partners are dominating their niche and are always educating and informing pro athletes about the importance of being properly insured, especially during this unique time with the NFL labor dispute. [An Insurance Man to the Stars]
- Some NFL players are taking desperate measures during the NFL lockout that could lead to disastrous financial predicaments. [IN THE POCKET: Some NFL players turn to high-risk loans to make ends meet]
Human Relations
- All-Pro NFL safety Troy Polamalu truly understands the value of education and finishing what you have started. [Troy Polamalu gets his college degree]
- Former football Alabama football star and 6-year NFL veteran Keith McCants has been arrested 11 times since 2002, undergone 29 surgeries, been addicted to pain killers and abused cocaine, suffers from clinical depression and early stages of dementia, and has considered suicide. This is such a sad story considering McCants is only 43 years old and still has a lot of life left. [Former Bucs player McCants is broke, suffering]
- Lewis Brown went from UNLV legend to being homeless in the streets of Los Angeles. [A Former Basketball Prodigy, Bereft of All but His Memories]
- Sir Charles is never afraid to speak his mind. [Charles Barkley: I had gay teammates]
- “The Boogeyman”—one of the league’s most feared fighters—couldn't overcome his addiction to pain pills and his life ended with a tragic overdose. [Rangers’ Boogaard died of alcohol, oxycodone mix]
