Branch joins Pats for second go-around
With all the media attention focused on the sudden departure of Randy Moss from the New England Patriots, the re-signing of Deion Branch has somewhat flown under the radar. The 31-year-old wideout was drafted by the Patriots in 2002, and was an integral member of the team’s 2004 championship squad. The speedy receiver had 11 catches and 133 yards in Super Bowl XXXIX, winning MVP honors in the process. He also had 10 catches and 143 yards in Super Bowl XXXVIII, making him the only receiver in NFL history to have that many catches in consecutive championship games. Branch, however, departed the organization after the 2005 season, signing a lucrative deal with the Seattle Seahawks. During his first four years in the league with the Patriots, he was known to have a great rapport with quarterback Tom Brady. “I’m not Randy Moss,” Branch told ESPN. “I wasn’t Randy Moss when I was here. I’m not here to replace him. My job is to go out and do what the offense asks me to do, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Braves’ Cox honored for historic career
The MLB playoffs are in full swing, and there are plenty of good matchups to analyze. However, it was a sad scene Monday night in Atlanta, where skipper Bobby Cox managed his last game as a member of the Braves. The Braves were eliminated Monday night by the San Francisco Giants, and the legendary manager of 29 seasons (25 of which were in Atlanta) will be calling it quits. The Giants made a nice gesture by tipping their caps to the 69-year-old manager after the conclusion of Game 4. During his tenure Cox led the Braves to 14 straight National League East division titles, five National League pennants and one World Series title in 1995. The three-time Manager of the Year will most certainly be hard to replace, and left his mark on the game of baseball for years to come.
Favre harassment case front and center
Brett Favre has had quite a tumultuous start to his 2010 season and things are only going to get more interesting for the 41-year-old quarterback. Recently, allegations were levied against Favre that suggested he sent obscene pictures and harassing text messages to former Jets sideline reporter Jenn Sterger in 2008. Now, the NFL is investigating these allegations, according to ESPN. The investigation in question started on Thursday Oct. 7, the same day Deadspin.com posted the messages Favre reportedly sent to Sterger. Sterger’s manager released a statement saying that although the incident occurred two years ago, they still want the “proper resolution” to the situation. Favre reportedly apologized to teammates in a closed-door meeting on Monday, and was said to be emotional at certain points of the meeting.
Concussion study garners athletes’ support
Because the topic of concussions in professional sports has been such a contentious topic over the years, it comes as no surprise that certain athletes are beginning to get proactively involved in finding out how they can be prevented in the future. New England Revolution forward Taylor Twellman has volunteered to become part of a Boston University program that is studying the long-term effects of repeated concussions. Twellman is one of over 300 athletes who have undergone tests to help the cause. On top of all the athletes who have donated their time, the families of 40 deceased players have donated brain and spinal column tissue of their loved ones to the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy at BU.
