Future of Football  
Outside the Lines (Sunday, 8 a.m. ET, ESPN)

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Football is a game of collisions, even for children, and the long-term danger of concussions has become a national issue. A nationwide study of emergency room records found the concussion rate among 7-to-11-year olds in football is eight times that of soccer, basketball and baseball. Many parents, including the families of former NFL players, are re-considering whether it’s worth the risk. In the case of former NFL lineman Tom McHale, those collisions led to a form of brain damage called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), which has been found in the brains of more than 20 deceased NFL players. When he overdosed on painkillers and died at age 45, his wife decided their young sons would not be allowed to play football. Tom Farrey examines what this means for the future of football. 

“I used to think that the worst thing that could ever happen from playing football is you could tackle incorrectly and break your neck and live your life paralyzed. I had no idea that there was something so much bigger than that. It’s not like football is all there is, so for my kids I just can’t do it. I just can’t take that risk.” – Lisa McHale, wife of former NFL lineman, on not letting her sons play tackle football 

“Obviously that sport (NFL) has been good to me in a lot of different ways, but also I understand that sport comes with a high price in terms of the body — knee injuries, neck injuries. We see some of the violence of the sport today, and for me it was more about protecting my son’s body long-term.” — Eddie Mason, retired from the Redskins after multiple injuries including seven concussions, and now coaches his 6-year-old son in a flag football league 

“I started playing football when I was eight years old. It’s something that has taught me so many lessons. I would never, ever not want to give that opportunity, or be resistant to my children having that opportunity. I won’t live life scared, OK? And I don’t want my children to go through life scared.” — LaVar Arrington, former Redskins linebacker, on allowing his sons to play tackle football 

 

 
 
Aaron Rodgers Plays a Different Tune
ESPN.com

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
No doubt Aaron Rodgers is all business this week as he and the Packers prepare to face Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl. But the Green Bay quarterback also knows the value of unwinding. Liz Merrill reports on the off-the-field life of Aaron Rodgers. 

 

 
 
The Struggles of William “Refrigerator” Perry
Sunday NFL Countdown (Sunday, 11a.m., ESPN)
ESPN.com

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One of the most interesting characters on the 1985 Super Bowl champion Bears was William “The Refrigerator” Perry. The rookie defensive lineman was transformed into a goal-line weapon and in turn, an overnight sensation. Perry’s life has taken many turns as he currently lives with Guillen-Barre Syndrome — a central nervous system disease that at one point left him paralyzed and near death. Tom Friend examines Perry’s struggles since he became a national icon a quarter century ago.

 

 
 
Jimmer Fredette’s Unique Training
College GameDay (Saturday, 10 a.m., ESPNU; 11 a.m., ESPN)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brigham Young standout Jimmer Fredette contributed 43 points to his team’s recent 71-58 victory over previously undefeated San Diego State, but his first 40 point game came in a highly unlikely arena: a New York state correctional facility. As a high schooler, Fredette’s father took him and his brother to play against prisoners in an effort to improve mental and physical toughness. ESPN College GameDay profiles one of college basketball’s most exciting players.  

 
 
Vince Lombardi Lived Here
ESPN.com

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The house on Sunset Circle in Green Bay, Wis. looks simple — four bedrooms, a dining room, a living room, a kitchen, and a den. When Vince Lombardi built it, because coaches weren’t paid like they are today, it was what he and his wife, Marie, could afford. Wright Thompson visits the 88-year-old woman who lives there now, and talks with members of the Lombardi family about the home, what it means to them, and the sense of Lombardi that lingers there and in the city.

 

 
 
Rene Esteves Back on the Court
ESPN Deportes SportsCenter (Sunday, 11 p.m.)
Reportajes Especiales piece (ESPNDeportes.com)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rene Esteves is one of the best middle blockers in Puerto Rico. Four years ago, the former volleyball All American with Ohio State questioned whether he’d ever play the game again when he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system and can cause paralysis. Bedridden for 11 days, Esteves vowed to walk out the door of the hospital on his own – and did. He then worked through 10 weeks of physical therapy, and eight months after his episode, was once again on the volleyball court. 

“I remember that I pushed the button on the side of the bed, I glanced out the door, and like a baby who’s taking his first steps with his legs like this, with his legs locked, I walked.  I thought that every time I took a step I was going to fall face-forward, but I made it, I walked, I walked to the door and from there, they put me in a wheel chair and told me, ‘You can go home now.’” — Rene Esteves 

  

  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 

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