It's a sad day when a player you watched on one of your teams is lost to an early grave, but even sadder when it's a suicide. However, there is now even more disturbing news this morning about Dave Duerson's death over the weekend.....
Ex-New York Giants star Dave Duerson left brain to science after apparent suicide
Before he shot himself in the chest, ex-New York Giants star Dave Duerson texted family members that he wanted to donate his brain to research. The four-time Pro Bowl safety was found dead of what authorities are now calling a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., Thursday. Before he took his life, Duerson, 50, reportedly messaged loved ones a final wish: that his brain be used for NFL research. In the note, Duerson emphasized that he wanted the "left side" checked out in particular, NBC Chicago reported.
According to this article in the New York Times, former NFL player Andre Waters shot himself in the head and when pieces of his brain were retrieved (sorry to be so graphic on a Monday morning), they found that Waters suffered from the same degenerative disease that was previously only associated with boxers. Did Duerson have the same disease? Well, he sure hinted at that before pulling the trigger, something that has current NFL players more than a bit shaken Monday morning.
NFL, Union Talk More Than 20 Hours Over 3 Days - NYTimes.com
Federally mediated negotiations toward a new NFL labor deal lasted about eight hours Sunday, the third consecutive day the sides met to try to find common ground before the current contract expires. After months of infrequent — and sometimes contentious — bargaining, the league and union have met for a total of more than 20 hours since Friday in front of George Cohen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.
While it's unlikely that a deal can be made based on 20 hours of talks, it sure does feel better to us fans knowing that the two sides are sitting down and trying to hash things out.
Plaxico Burress returning to the Giants after getting out of prison makes no sense at all
Maybe someday it will actually happen. There are just some very good reasons why it shouldn't: - If Burress is in, who's out?
I know Ed won't take credit for saying all of this first, but he did say most of it back on January 5. It is interesting to note, however, that Vacchiano's article mentions that Burress does not have New York (err, New Jersey) at the top of places he would like to play again.