How much $$$ does the NFL have???

RIP Junior Seau. The gunshot to his chest ended his life, but his head - or more specifically his brain - is going to open Pandora's box. His brain isn't going to release evil spirits into the world, but the NFL's cover-up and conspiracy regarding Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is going to be thrust front and center in America's sporting conscious. Quickly .. how many of you know what CTE is? .. pencil's down .. uh Roger Goodell .. you want to answer? What's that? You don't want to answer any questions about concussions, CTE or CTE related deaths of former NFL players? So questions about Ray Easterling (committed suicide in April 2012) and Dave Duerson (February 2011) are off limits? Hmmm ... Yes Commissioner Goodell ... we know you started cracking down on helmet to helmet hits October of 2010 .. after years of glorifying the violent nature of football and not enforcing the rules on tackles leading with the head. Well Commissioner Goodell, CTE is a progressive neurological disorder caused by repetitive concussive and sub-concussive head injuries. CTE can only be diagnosed by dissecting the brain after a person's death, but its symptoms are very similar to demetia: memory loss, confusion, aggression, depression. Here's the rub - The NFL knew about the long-term damage concussions caused as early as the 1920s and set up a commission to study the effects of concussions in 1994 (The Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Commission). It wasn't until July 2010 that the NFL issued it's first guidelines about the risks of repeated concussions. The MTBIC issued misleading or inaccurate statements to Congress and players about the dangers of repetitive concussions during this period from 1994 to 2010. You got more questions? You want answers, Lt. Kaffey? You want the truth?  Helmet technology was virtually unchanged from the 1960's through the early 2000's. Why? Junior Seau committed suicide by shooting himself in the chest, not the head which is a much more common suicide technique. Why? Where is Oliver Stone when you really need him?!?!?!  The list of NFL players diagnosed post-mortem with CTE is long and staggering (Chris "Slim" Henry - with an interrupted five year NFL career - is on the list!), many never having been formally diagnosed with a concussion during their playing career. NHL toughman Bob Probert and WWE wrestler Chris Beniot (who murdered his wife and son before committing suicide) extend the list to other professional sports, and we haven't even touched youth sports yet. The most important question at the end of the day is this: What amount of money from the NFL can compensate former players (and their families) for destroying their brains so the league could rake in $9billion in 2011? Until then NFL players and retirees have only one question on their minds ... who's next?

The Reds lost last night to the Cubs and their pitcher Cy Young Samardziya to fall to 11-12. Last time Samardziya was seen, he was a safety for the Notre Dame football team. Last night he held the Reds toothless offense to 3 hits and 1 run. How does Dusty Custer respond? He throws Willie Harris and Wilson Valdez into the starting lineup for today's game ... what a genius move!!!! Predictabley the Reds are currently down 1-0. Willie Harris (a retiree veteran) is batting a stellar .094, but got the starting nod at 3rd base over Todd Frazier (the Reds 26 year old top prospect) and his .385 batting average. Wilson Valdez (.231 batting average) is replacing Zach Cozart (.258 batting average and much better defensively) at shortstop ... apparently Dusty is resting Cozart after playing one game in three days. The Dustinator's response to playing a JV team in today's game: “You’ve got to get some guys playing time, so they’ll be ready when you need them,” Baker said. “Sometimes you do it one at a time. Sometimes do it in a mass substitution. Plus, the guys I’m not playing haven’t had a whole bunch of success against (Chicago starter Ryan) Dempster." Welcome to 11-13 and another Dustrating season.

The Gunners, who were flying high two weeks ago, are looking more and more likely to miss the Champions League next season after all. Tottenham plays St. Jude's Reformatory and the Immaculate Sisters of the Poor in their last two matches sitting one point behind Arsenal in the table. The Gunners' schedule isn't full of world-beaters, just physical teams who always give Arsenal difficulty. Two wins against Norwich City and West Brom will be required for Arsenal to hold onto 3rd place and I'm not sure Arsene Wenger's men have it in them. He has ridden his horses hard this season and their jello legs aren't responding to the whip down the stretch. 3rd place is imperative for Champions League qualification as it appears Chelsea will win the Champions League but finish outside the top four, thereby eliminating one the BPL's 4th qualifying position. Welcome to the UEFA Cup Gunners!!

Speaking of horses, whips and stretches (minds out of the gutter!!!), the Kentucky Derby is Saturday and our annual Derby Pool drawing was today. I drew Dullahan, currently sitting at 8-1 odds. If Calvin Borel was in the irons I would empty my bank account and let it ride!!!! As it is I think $20 will do .. payoff will be $360ish. Come on 8!!! Daddy needs some new shoes!!! Also like Take Charge Indy, Creative Cause and Hansen. I feel a Trifecta or 10cent Superfecta coming on ... You never stop betting when you're on a heater. And I'm hot!!!

***** SCORE UPDATE ***** Cub 3 - Reds 0. Dustrating!!!

I'm out. Studying horses. Gotta get some $$$ back!!!