Some Musings...

My Powerade bottle arrived today...

So while I enjoy a small piece of humble pie, here are some things I think this week.

JUNIOR SEAU


Wednesday evening saw the news that legendary NFL linebacker Junior Seau was dead, aged only 43.  Indications are that he shot himself.  One of the hardest hitting linebackers (or players full stop), his was one of the most appropriate surnames of any player in living memory (pronounced "Say Ow").  He enjoyed a stellar 20 year NFL career, though never won a Superbowl.

Tragically, he is the 8th member of the 1994 San Diego Chargers Superbowl team to die, all at a young age.

There is currently a very substantial legal battle between the NFL and a cadre of former players regarding how they were treated after receiving concussions during their careers.  Many report feelings of depression.  There is a popular, and worryingly premature, theory that maybe Seau's mental state had been affected due to a number of jarring hits received during his stints with San Diego, Miami and New England.  HOWEVER, Seau was never listed as receiving treatment for a concussion during his career.  This of course does not mean he never had one.

Regardless of the reasons, the sport of American Football has lost one of its best.  Seau is eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2015.  I am sure he will be a first year inductee.

THE NFL DRAFT


The 2012 NFL Draft was fast, furious and flipping frenetic.  16 out of 32 picks were traded during a record fast first round.  The obvious picks happened, Luck is now a Colt, Griffin must toil away as a Redskin, Cleveland added a stud running back in Trent Richardson, and Seattle reached for player Pete Carroll must love but no one else does.

The constant changing of the draft order made it hard work for anyone taking part in a mock draft.  Mainzey and I did however.  Mainzey managed to correctly guess 24 out of the 32 first round players, compared to my 22.  However, I managed to match 9 players to teams, whereas Mainz could only correctly pair seven names to their new homes.  The result being that, come Saturday morning, I will be enjoying a Frankie and Benny's breakfast paid for by Mainzeys dime.  Can't wait.

GO WEDNESDAY?


Through a combination of a great run of form since Dave Jones's arrival at Hillsborough and a downturn in fortunes at Bramall Lane, Sheffield Wednesday go into this weekends final round of games needing a win to secure promotion.  The Owls are 1 point ahead of Sheffield United, and are at home to already relegated Wycombe.  Its all in our hands.

And that's what scares me.

I shall say no more on the subject, as I'm really very nervous.  I hope by the time I write again my boys have done something truly special.  But I've supported Wednesday for 20 years, and if there is one team that you could guarantee to make matters truly difficult when all things are on their side...Wednesday would be their name.