Well of Loneliness

Through research there was no clear hypothesis on this condition. Through the centuries, sports figures and athletes subject themselves to harsh physical demands everyday of their life to be stronger, faster, better. But what happens when this all ends? Athletic depression is a serious concept and should be more known. The idea that a human body under such conditions for a long time will form an emotional attachment to the pain, the rush, the feeling of working the body to its limits, like an adrenaline junkie. If the "supply" is cut off via injury, retiring, the end of a season, a very real sense of physical and mental depression ensues.Sometimes, like in the case of Russian Olympic star Elena Ivashchenko, athletes will commit suicide. Only when the case becomes extreme will that happen though. So, when does it become extreme?

A loss of identity becomes apparent in an off season athlete. As a person being constantly in the spot light, the removal of said spot light can form into an unhealthy realization that this person cannot function without other people. Athletes fame and glory comes from the excitement and feelings from all the other people observing. Extreme stress and PTSD-like symptoms can also occur in athletes. If a large mental trauma is assumed by an athlete it can often lead to mental reverberations for the rest of their life. how can you stop it?

Having interests in a multitude of topics is very important for an athlete. This is because on the off season of on injury, the athlete will be able to perform another hobby so they can keep their brain active and away from suicidal thoughts. Being active can help people physically and mentally, but if unchecked and unconstrained, the hardcore athlete can be at a serious risk when the glory days are over.        

Darrelle Revis before Vince Wilfork?

The NFL pick up was on Wednesday the 12th. The New England Patriots picked up a player they wouldn't have thought of a few years ago. Star cornerback and Darrelle Revis was approached by the Patriots as there starting cornerback. Revis is a 5 time Pro Bowl allstar, the 2009 AFC defensive player of the year, and he was ranked number 5 in the top 100 players in 2011. With stats like that it's a shock if any team wouldn't want him. Bill Belichick saw this potential early and jumped for it, but at what cost.

Patriot star defensive tackle Vince Wilfork will be at the mercy of this draft, if it goes through. Wilfork is also a 5 time Pro Bowl allstar, was a First Team All Pro in 2012, and went to Super Bowl XXXIX with the Patriots. Unfortunately, if Revis is signed, the contract for Wilfork will be tampered with. Wilfork was re-signed in 2009 for a 5 year $40 million a year contract with $25 million in a guaranteed paycheck. In a game against the Falcons, before Super Bowl XLVIII (2014), Wilfork tore his Achilles tendon. This injury threatened his career and contract.

With the injury, the Patriots needed to look for another exeptionally capable player and adjust Wilforks pay. Revis was asking for $12 million a year, which would be the highest paid cornerback in the NFL. Wilfork's asking about being dropped from the Patriots became very real for the Pats. Belichick warned Wilfork of this deal and Wilforks press response was (paraphrasing) "Belichick would drop his own mother from the team if given the chance". So, there are obvious hard feelings about this situation.

Belichick sees this pick as a benefit for the team, and all New England fans would probably agree. With Darrelle Revis on our offensive line and a few other choice round picks, the Patriots offensive line for the next season will be unstoppable.

Protect your nose, Batman

In February, Miami Heat forward LeBron James broke his nose during the Oklahoma City Thunder game. That incident left two possibilities: wait for his nose to heal, or play with a face mask. James went with the latter. In the New York Knicks versus Miami Heat game, last Thursday, James wore a "controversial" face mask dubbed by the National Basketball Association.

 This mask is a medical face mask that provides structure and protection of the nose on its way to recovery. Generally, if a player was to wear a protective mask, it is translucent (clear). James went with a more conspicuous mask, a black carbon fiber mask.   

The NBA was not too happy about James' decision. the NBA asked James to "dispense with his menacing black mask... and switch to a clear protective cover". Though he liked the attention, James complied to the NBA rule. Was it worth it?

The Miami Heat realized the attention and potential for merchandise with James' as a celebrity. They made tee-shirts to sell to the public with James' image on the front. In one week, it had many sales and was very popular. But now, James has a clear, regulation mask, ending his fame as the Batman.