Wow! Ir’s hard to believe Advocacy for Fairness in Sports is only starting its 3rd month, and already we’re off and running into a New Year! I’m truly humbled by and so very appreciative of the friendship and support many of you have shown since the “Deflategate days,” and moving onward. I’m at a loss for words to express my gratitude!
As I think about things I’d like to see in the coming year, near the top of my wish list is to add some additional writers to the “staff.” I’m especially hopeful to hear from law students, as I think it would be an opportunity of mutual benefit; writing about important issues in sports law would give added exposure to new writers/future attorneys while at the same time, allowing for broader coverage of a greater variety of sports fairness issues for the blog. Together I believe we can make a impact for the better! If you’re interested in writing, or know someone who might be, you can learn more here, or if you have a news tip, story idea, or other comments, click here; I’d like to hear from you. Also, to everyone reading who’s is interested in sports fairness issues, I’d like to invite you to join our little Facebook group. To friends old and new, I wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! The challenges may be great but the possibilities are also endless. Let’s make a difference together! #OnTo2017
~Sheilla
And now for today’s Twitter news round-up…
Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault in Sports:
MUST READ!
Minnesota football rape case reveals our own assault myths https://t.co/N2aRq965MN via @timesunion— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) January 1, 2017
This is an impressive summary of the Sooner’s handling of the Joe Mixon case by Rexford Sheild.
ICYMI – Detailing the events involving #Sooners‘ Joe Mixon, his accuser, and more. https://t.co/xcjGOGX02y via @MarquetteSLS #SportsLaw
— Rex Sheild (@FordSheild) December 31, 2016
Lindsay is one of the many incredible people I’ve been blessed to interact with over the past year. She delivers an excellent take in this article (as always)
I’ll end this thread with my year-end review, “The year in ‘locker room talk'” https://t.co/r3rMVsdLEK
— Lindsay Gibbs (@linzsports) December 31, 2016
She was also instrumental in inspiring me to take on the topics of sexual assault and domestic violence. You can read my first article here, and her piece that inspired me here.
This is an important and disturbing development. We need to make sure our congressional representatives are aware of the facts and that we object to moving backward.
Congressman wants to scrap campus rape rule he says is unfair to the “often-innocent accused” https://t.co/lerapg1iAp via @HuffPostWomen
— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) January 1, 2017
This isn’t a sports article, but is a very important, and under-reported issue in regard to domestic violence. I hope you’ll find time to give it a read.
Last yr, I wrote about how #DV survivors, incl. Valerie Seeley, deserve clemency. She got clemency on Frihttps://t.co/KvICw6r4sR #cjreform
— VictoriaLaw (@LVikkiml) January 1, 2017
Concussion Discussion:
In case you missed it over the holiday weekend, I wrote an article about the NFL insurers lawsuit against the league and how it’s now proceeding to discovery. In my opinion this will be one of the more important sports law cases of the coming year.
NFL Ordered by Appeals Court to Proceed with Discovery
Important case to keep an eye on in the coming year. https://t.co/mm9LnODcvz— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) January 1, 2017
Three of my favorite sports law attorneys, Daniel Wallach, Dan Werly, with top concussion litigation expert Paul D. Anderson, discussing perhaps the most important and vital issue in sports. You really owe it to yourself to listen to this podcast. If you’d like to access it on itunes and subscribe, here’s the link.
NEW POD: @PaulD_Anderson joins @WALLACHLEGAL & @WerlySportsLaw to discuss sports concussion litigation. Listen: https://t.co/qs6Q6s3BZj pic.twitter.com/7VSodWwhde
— Conduct Detrimental (@ConductPod) December 31, 2016
With the NFL concussion class action settled, the 50 opt-out lawsuits will go forward in 2017. Some familiar names: pic.twitter.com/AltKqLtx2H
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) January 1, 2017
Unsurprising. 75% discount for NFL #stroke settlement case. Kubiak played quarterback for 13 years before becoming a coach. #NFLPA @Broncos https://t.co/84twNseXyo
— NFLCSFacts (@NFLObjectors) January 1, 2017
The Texans can’t get their story straight on Tom Savage’s concussion https://t.co/kmafpFyDoo
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) January 1, 2017
Rick Westhead’s been nailing coverage of the NHL concussion suit and what’s being revealed in discovery there. Here’s the latest:
New court filing has details re 27 documents NHL fighting to keep secret in concussion case, including emails related to a player death /1 pic.twitter.com/eQDR8TmOKs
— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) December 31, 2016
Lawyers for former NHL players say unsealing documents integral to detailing “NHL’s opposition to studying retired players’ health.” /2 pic.twitter.com/zGi718XSKK
— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) December 31, 2016
The NHL is trying to have it both ways with fighting, and it’s endangering the players, via @PeteBlackburn https://t.co/9dl4bLYvKX
— Daniel Wallach (@WALLACHLEGAL) December 31, 2016
NFL Notebook:
A privately-owned NFL team can toss a journalist without violating First Amendment–but twist here is Eagles play in publicly-owned stadium: https://t.co/rgpp1bkcsa
— Michael McCann (@McCannSportsLaw) January 1, 2017
Eagles beat writer @Jeff_McLane being ejected from the press box for discussing press box etiquette w pr staff. pic.twitter.com/5IUdTdFEof
— Marcus Hayes (@inkstainedretch) January 1, 2017
Truth is indeed stranger than fiction. As Jaime said, “2017 has begun.”
Gravity-defying protesters hang high above Vikings field during game. 2017 has begun. https://t.co/f6BrV6Gx8t pic.twitter.com/t1Gdm17Oun
— Jaime Mittens (@SportsLawBlonde) January 1, 2017
Seems like an overreaction to fire Kelly…Classic mistake of instant gratification vs. giving a coach time to establish his game plan. https://t.co/TEjEGx4DKe
— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) January 1, 2017
The Year #Deflategate Finally Died (Probably) https://t.co/5t1M15Ri8u via @dontforgetmac @vicesports
— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) January 1, 2017
Eric Weddle escapes fine for treating Antonio Brown’s facemask like a post-victory ice cream scoop https://t.co/ZGFNqSnbvW
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 31, 2016
Things are rarely black and white, and often there are no clear-cut answers. Such is the case of Michael Floyd. Fact: his DUI arrest revealed a high level of intoxication. While not a violent crime, driving while intoxicated is dangerous not only to the driver, but threatening and potentially deadly to others who share the road. What we don’t know, and probably never will, is if this is habitual or an isolated instance? Floyd has shown himself to be a capable football player, but this doesn’t excuse placing others in danger. As the criminal justice process unfolds and league discipline is decided, I think it’s best to keep an open mind. He’s probably wound up in the best situation possible – the Patriots are known for having a disciplined system; Belichick’s reformed more than one loose cannon, so I’m hoping this turns out to be a good fit. As always Michael Hurley has delivered some well reasoned thoughts on the subject.
Complicated situation, still. https://t.co/rpM9NgtKFM
— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) January 2, 2017
This & That:
Salute to Colin Kaepernick, a stand-up kneel-down guy https://t.co/dH2afiIaxA via @scottostler @sfchronicle
— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) January 1, 2017
? ? You’ll have to give this one a click for the video. ? ?
I didn’t know Clemson had an undergraduate urology program. https://t.co/GNBGo5NUVQ
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) January 1, 2017
How Trump could exact revenge against the NFL https://t.co/D1pwgCC1nw via @nypost
— Sheilla Dingus (@SheillaDingus) January 1, 2017
Lindsay wrote this prior to last year’s Super Bowl. If you missed it then, it’s well worth reading now.
In Jan. I talked w/ Marlin Briscoe, the 1st black QB to start in NFL, & wrote on how racism still impacts the game. https://t.co/W4gaxM5qlT
— Lindsay Gibbs (@linzsports) December 31, 2016
One final thought…
There is so much that we, individually & collectively, can do to make 2017 a great year! And let’s try to focus in the greatness in sports! https://t.co/rKHJuvG1tq
— Dr. Mitch Abrams (@MitchAbramsPsyD) January 1, 2017