Robert Kraft Awaits Your Judgment
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/22/styl ... brady.html
' “It makes my skin crawl to see him being smeared this way,” said Drew Bledsoe, the former Patriots quarterback.
While Mr. Bledsoe and others who are sympathetic to Mr. Kraft say prosecutors are using the solicitation charges against him largely to publicize their broader investigation, it remains true that the sex trade often exploits women who have few or no means to escape it.
As his lawyers fight the case, Mr. Kraft has been described by friends as conflicted. He is angry about what he did and ashamed of the embarrassment he has caused, yet insistent that he did nothing illegal and is defiant enough to hire a very expensive legal team to battle charges that most people settle quickly.
Several people interviewed for this article say he continues, a month after the case became public, to break down in tears when discussing the situation.
Casual friends of Mr. Kraft think the public reaction is overblown.
...
But his fight against a relatively minor charge, using high-priced lawyers, is evidence of his sense of self-importance, possibly prolonging the media attention, according to at least one person familiar with that world.
“The problem with Kraft is the problem with famous people, which is you bring famous attorneys and think they will do a better job,” said Hugh Culverhouse Jr., a former prosecutor and lawyer in Florida and son of the former owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “It’s like going to a knife fight with the entire Seventh Army.” '
NFL 2018
Robert Kraft Waives Arraignment and Requests Jury Trial
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/26/spor ... trial.html
"... Mr. Kraft and many of the other men are unwilling to admit guilt because they believe the police mishandled aspects of the case.
They contend that a search warrant was improperly obtained to install secret cameras inside the massage parlor that the police say includes video of Mr. Kraft and the other men soliciting sex. The pretext for that warrant was predicated on the existence of human trafficking at that massage parlor, something the police have not yet proven."
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/26/spor ... trial.html
"... Mr. Kraft and many of the other men are unwilling to admit guilt because they believe the police mishandled aspects of the case.
They contend that a search warrant was improperly obtained to install secret cameras inside the massage parlor that the police say includes video of Mr. Kraft and the other men soliciting sex. The pretext for that warrant was predicated on the existence of human trafficking at that massage parlor, something the police have not yet proven."
"The N.F.L. long ago settled on a tobacco-industry stance toward the damage done by concussions and sub-concussive hits; its officials have covered up, obfuscated, and only reluctantly conceded liability for the many hundreds of former players left with minds that fade in and out like old television sets. It is a $14 billion industry, and acting in its pecuniary interests is deplorable but perhaps not surprising.
The nation’s universities face a more ticklish problem known as morality. These institutions were founded with the purpose of developing and educating young minds. It is difficult to square that mission with the fate of those like running back Rashaan Salaam, who ran so beautifully for the University of Colorado and then as a pro, and like Drew Wahlroos, a fearless, rampaging Colorado linebacker. Both men suffered emotional and cognitive problems that friends and family and even university officials related to thousands of hits taken over the course of their careers. Each killed himself.
...
“I hate to say this, but I taught players what I was taught,” he said.
And what was that technique?
“Put your helmet right in the guy’s jaw and drive up through his throat to his head,” he said. “I regret it, I really do.” "
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/18/spor ... tball.html
The nation’s universities face a more ticklish problem known as morality. These institutions were founded with the purpose of developing and educating young minds. It is difficult to square that mission with the fate of those like running back Rashaan Salaam, who ran so beautifully for the University of Colorado and then as a pro, and like Drew Wahlroos, a fearless, rampaging Colorado linebacker. Both men suffered emotional and cognitive problems that friends and family and even university officials related to thousands of hits taken over the course of their careers. Each killed himself.
...
“I hate to say this, but I taught players what I was taught,” he said.
And what was that technique?
“Put your helmet right in the guy’s jaw and drive up through his throat to his head,” he said. “I regret it, I really do.” "
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/18/spor ... tball.html
Two of the Seahawks' greatest, Kam Chancellor and Doug Baldwin, have been released by the team, following their injuries.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300000 ... chancellor
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300000 ... chancellor
WaPo:
Tom Brady's new two-year Patriots deal will see him playing until 44
"The end of the Patriots' dynasty clearly is in sight, with Brady turning 42 on Saturday and coach Bill Belichick turning 67 earlier this year.
But even after so much speculation in recent years that tensions among Brady, Belichick and owner Robert Kraft would lead to an imminent break-up, the group remains intact for now as the Patriots chase yet more on-field glory.
The new deal increases Brady's 2019 income by about $US8 million, to $US23 million.
It adds two additional seasons at prospective salaries of, according to the league-owned NFL Network, $US30 million in 2020 and $US32 million in 2021.
...
This season, Brady must deal with the absence of tight end Rob Gronkowski, who announced his retirement in March.
There has been speculation that Gronkowski might return at some point. But if he doesn't, Brady will have to get by without the pass-catching tight end who has served as his security blanket."
Tom Brady's new two-year Patriots deal will see him playing until 44
"The end of the Patriots' dynasty clearly is in sight, with Brady turning 42 on Saturday and coach Bill Belichick turning 67 earlier this year.
But even after so much speculation in recent years that tensions among Brady, Belichick and owner Robert Kraft would lead to an imminent break-up, the group remains intact for now as the Patriots chase yet more on-field glory.
The new deal increases Brady's 2019 income by about $US8 million, to $US23 million.
It adds two additional seasons at prospective salaries of, according to the league-owned NFL Network, $US30 million in 2020 and $US32 million in 2021.
...
This season, Brady must deal with the absence of tight end Rob Gronkowski, who announced his retirement in March.
There has been speculation that Gronkowski might return at some point. But if he doesn't, Brady will have to get by without the pass-catching tight end who has served as his security blanket."
Video message from Colin Kaepernick:
https://twitter.com/Kaepernick7/status/ ... 1106942981
"Denied work for 889 days."
https://twitter.com/Kaepernick7/status/ ... 1106942981
"Denied work for 889 days."
Football May Take a Toll on the Brain, Even Without Concussions
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/14/well ... sions.html
"The brains of college football players showed signs of “fraying” after a season of play."
[I think it's been kind of obvious for a long time that subconcussion hits are the problem.]
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/14/well ... sions.html
"The brains of college football players showed signs of “fraying” after a season of play."
[I think it's been kind of obvious for a long time that subconcussion hits are the problem.]