SPORTS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2016 NFL hit with rising concussions, brain trauma news SAN FRANCISCO: Former quarterback seasons of declining incidents. Troy Aikman says he is fortunate to have Jeff Miller, NFL vice president for health gotten out of the NFL in good health as and safety policy, said the league was news of brain trauma in recently deceased exploring reasons for the hike. “The num- former players is mounting, and he knows ber of players screened for concussions others are suffering. “I know there’s people doubled this year,” Miller told reporters at that I played with and against and those the Super Bowl Media Center suggesting before me that are really battling some increased vigilance as one possible factor. tough times as a result we assume from Miller noted the league has instituted having played the game,” the three-time nearly 40 rule changes to cut down poten- Super Bowl champion with the Dallas tial head injuries in recent years and Cowboys told Reuters on Thursday. believed that greater attention to the “It obviously is a real concern for our problem by officials and players them- game,” the Hall of Famer added. An autop- selves probably contributed to the rise. He sy confirmed that former Minnesota noted increased numbers of medical staff Vikings linebacker Fred McNeill was suffer- at games keeping eyes trained for signs of ing from chronic traumatic encephalopa- concussion, and that players were self- thy (CTE) when he died last year at 63, reporting symptoms to team physicians. CNN reported on Thursday. Two days “That’s a positive trend relating to the before, a specialist said a study of former culture change,” said Miller at an NFL dis- Oakland Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler’s play of research initiatives aimed at brain following his death last year showed improving player safety. “Those are posi- signs of CTE, which is closely associated tive developments. Players that need the MARYLAND: RightEye President demonstrates her company’s eye-tracking with the repeated head blows common in care from suffering those injuries are get- technology at offices in Bethesda, Maryland. Some technology startups are boxing, hockey, football and other contact ting the care.” The NFL Players Association devising creative new ways of detecting concussions in pro and amateur sports. seemed to agree. “When we have players athletes, using apps, tablets and sensors to monitor the often debilitating Stabler’s brain was the 90th of 94 for- who now step up and self-report, we take brain injury. — AFP mer NFL players studied by Boston that as positive news that players are now University researchers to show indications empowered, wanting to know what is sionals on the sideline. You felt like you recollection of having played in that game. of CTE. “It’s a violent game. Big physical going on and taking steps to protect were a wimp if you were honest with the I have complete amnesia from the game. I guys colliding and creating these collisions themselves,” NFLPA executive director team doctor.” Aikman, who just turned 34 stayed the night in the hospital and played with the head injuries. As much as the DeMaurice Smith said. Executive commit- when he retired after 12 seasons, recount- the next week in the Super Bowl.” “It’s obvi- league has done to make the game safer, I tee member Matt Hasselbeck, quarterback ed a scary incident from his own playing ously a different time. Now if you say you saw that this year the concussions were for the Indianapolis Colts, said: “One thing days. “I had two significant head injuries. couldn’t remember having played in the way up,” Aikman said. Last week the we’re proud of, we tried to change the cul- One was my rookie year. I was knocked out game the week before, I don’t think there’s National Football League said there were ture of our game. for 10 minutes and then one was in the any way I’d be allowed to play in the Super 182 reported concussions this past season, “When I got into the game it was a no- 1993 NFC championship game against the Bowl seven days later. Just tells you how far a rise of 58 percent over 2014 after two no to be honest with the medical profes- 49ers,” he said. “Still to this day I have no we’ve come.” — Reuters 5 keys to Super Bowl 50 NFL-Broncos, Panthers set to deliver Super finish to season SANTA CLARA: Five keys which could 39-year-old has retooled his game this sea- define the outcome of Super Bowl 50 son to reflect his waning powers, no longer between the Denver Broncos and the possessing the arm strength to launch big SAN FRANCISCO: The Denver Broncos and Carolina Luke Kuechly that led the league in takeaways. “He Carolina Panthers tomorrow: bombs downfield. Instead Manning has Panthers are primed to provide a grand finish worthy of (Newton) is a special talent, a rare talent,” said Broncos been forced to engineer lengthy drives a landmark Super Bowl 50 tomorrow and cap a season of coach Gary Kubiak. “This league has the best of every- Denver defense ready for Newton? through short, crisp passing to his receiving celebration by the National Football League. An estimat- thing. “I mean you look at some of the great throwers in Denver’s defense has been ruthless all team. A possible chink in Carolina’s armor, ed 190 million Americans and a worldwide TV audience this league with (New England Patriots) Tom (Brady) and season, with pass rushers Von Miller and with the obvious exception of Josh are set to tune in for a game that has the hallmarks of an (Green Bay Packers) Aaron (Rodgers) and those type of DeMarcus Ware terrorizing opposing quar- Norman, is their secondary which has been instant classic as Carolina’s top-ranked offence clashes guys and then now you got a guy who’s got a combina- terbacks relentlessly. The Broncos defense hit by injuries. with Denver’s number one defense in a Silicon Valley tion of everything. managed to sack Tom Brady four times and showdown for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. “Not only beating people with his arm but with his hit him on 20 occasions during Denver’s Kuechly v Manning? The game will feature two generational talents on feet, his ability to move around. A tremendous athlete epic AFC title clash with New England last While Denver’s defense has garnered all offense with Carolina quarterback Cam Newton on the that they’ve molded their offense around.” During the month-the highest number of hits any NFL the headlines this season, Carolina’s unit are cusp of greatness and five-time NFL Most Valuable regular season, the Panthers were an offensive jugger- quarterback has suffered in a single game no slouches either. At the heart of the Player Peyton Manning playing what could be his last naut averaging a league-high 31 points a game. In the since 2006. Denver has also had a stingy run Carolina defense is Luke Kuechly, who mar- game, but the victor will likely be determined by the play playoffs, they have been even more explosive in piling defense, conceding only 3.6 yards per carry shaled a defense which led the league in of the defenses. “Our defense has just been exceptional up 80 points in two routs, including a 49-15 blowout of during the regular season. forcing turnovers. Kuechly has galloped all season long,” praised Manning. “They have led the the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship game over for interception touchdowns in every charge for us to be here from the get-go. “Each game that sent them through to their second Super Bowl. This Newton’s unique threat round of the playoffs so far and if he does it they had stepped up and done the job and they were has been far from a vintage year for Manning, who While Denver’s defense has been in again tomorrow he will be the first player to awesome against Pittsburgh and against New England. missed six consecutive starts due to a heel injury and merciless form, the Broncos have not faced register pick sixes in each round of the post- “They are the reason we’re here and, like I said a couple when he did return, for the first time in his Hall of Fame an offensive unit as multi-faceted as season. He was ranked as the best defen- weeks ago, I’m just glad that I don’t have to play against career he stood on the sidelines - as backup to Brock Carolina’s. At the heart of Carolina’s offense sive player in the league this season with them this year because they are that good.” Osweiler. is Cam Newton, who offers an unusually only six missed tackles for the year. Still, the spotlight will not stray far from the two quar- Manning, who once threw seven touchdowns in a potent dual threat both on the ground and terbacks who bring contrasting styles and personalities single game, had just nine in 10 games this season offset in the air. Newton became the first quarter- Born to run? to the championship game. Newton, 26, is a flashy, brash by 17 interceptions as questions over his age and dimin- back in NFL history to throw for more than With Manning’s long passing game lim- imposing quarterbacking cyborg who can beat an oppo- ishing arm strength became a recurring storyline. But like 30 touchdowns and rush for 10 in the same ited, Denver will need to get their running nent with his arm and his feet.