National Institutes of Health researchers Thursday said that late NFLer JUNIOR SEAU’s “abnormalities are consistent with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.” The NIH said the findings on Seau were similar to autopsies of people "with exposure to repetitive head injuries" (AP, 1/10). Meanwhile, former NFLer BERNIE KOSAR said that he is “receiving medical treatment that’s helping reverse the effects of brain trauma he suffered during his 13-year NFL career.” Kosar cited the “groundbreaking” work of Florida-based DR. RICK SPONAUGLE. Kosar said that he has “spoken to NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL about the treatment.” Kosar over the past month said that he has “received about 15 treatments, which take about two hours each at a wellness center in Tampa.” One of the “major goals is to increase blood flow to the brain,” and the “complex therapy includes intravenous treatments and nutritional supplements” (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/11).
CHARITY STRIPE: Golfer RORY MCILROY on Thursday announced that he has started The Rory Foundation. Among the first projects “is to bring attention to children by putting the name of charities on his bag when possible.” He starts with "The 6 Bags Project," in which he will “display the name of a children's charity in each of the first six tournaments he plays.” The bag during the tournament will be auctioned "with the money going to that charity.” The Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children “will be on the bag" at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. McIlroy said that he “would have Boys & Girls Club of Tucson for the Match Play Championship in Arizona; Child Protection Team of Palm Beaches for the Honda Classic, First Tee Miami-Dade Amateur Golf Association for the Cadillac Championship and Chinquapin School for the Houston Open.” Still be to decided is “a children's charity near Augusta, Ga., for the Masters” (AP, 1/10).
AWARDS & RECOGNITION: The National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association named ESPN’s DICK VITALE and author and Detroit Free Press sportswriter MITCH ALBOM to its HOF. The pair will be inducted with SI’s PETER KING on June 10 (NSSA)....MLB named the Blue Jays the ’12 recipient of the Commissioner’s Award for Philanthropic Excellence (MLB).
NAMES: Caric Sports Management has signed Stanford TE ZACH ERTZ and Oregon LB KIKO ALONSO for representation in this year’s NFL Draft. NFL player agent STEVE CARIC will represent the players. Meanwhile, the Atlas Sports Agency has signed North Carolina State CB DAVID AMERSON. Agents J.T. JOHNSON and TAE DARNELL will represent him (Liz Mullen, SportsBusiness Journal)....Golfers MORIYA and ARIYA JUTANUGARN have signed with IMG (IMG)….Mavericks Owner MARK CUBAN has joined the advisory board for polling and data mining company CivicScience (TRIBLIVE.com, 1/10)….Skier LINDSEY VONN’s divorce from THOMAS VONN, her husband of more than four years, has become official (AP, 1/10).
