Soccer Icon, Mia Hamm, once commented:
"The vision of a champion is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion, when nobody else is looking!"
"The vision of a champion is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion, when nobody else is looking!"
Who could forget it - July 10, 1999 ... The Women's World Cup Final-Game - CHINA vs. USA. I especially recollect watching it, down the Cape at Gram&Papa's house.
My 8-year-old-self, along with my entire extended family, viewing the shootout with more than just baited breath.
The shots/goals are even; with one swift boot to the back of the net, Brandi Chastain will secure the Cup for Team USA. Well, we all know how that one turned out!
My 8-year-old-self, along with my entire extended family, viewing the shootout with more than just baited breath.
The shots/goals are even; with one swift boot to the back of the net, Brandi Chastain will secure the Cup for Team USA. Well, we all know how that one turned out!
Throughout my {more than} 13-years of playing the
*best-sport*, I thankfully never sustained a concussion. Sure, I had been on the giving and receiving end of slide-tackles, or other aggressive plays - coaches, especially on
Varsity, Coach Patty, used to refer to me as
"The Beast" !! Despite all of my competitive tendencies, however, I never sustained even so much as a
"mild-concussion".
*best-sport*, I thankfully never sustained a concussion. Sure, I had been on the giving and receiving end of slide-tackles, or other aggressive plays - coaches, especially on
Varsity, Coach Patty, used to refer to me as
"The Beast" !! Despite all of my competitive tendencies, however, I never sustained even so much as a
"mild-concussion".
{One of the 1st-games of our State-Championship Season, here I am;
this photo was on the front-page of the Sports-Section in our newspaper!}
this photo was on the front-page of the Sports-Section in our newspaper!}
As all athletics continue to become even more intense, stars like Ms. Chastain, now a Coach herself, are coming forward. A prolific header of the ball, Brandi has decided to donate her brain to the Concussion Legacy Foundation after her death, where it can be examined for signs of trauma.
Slowly but surely, especially with such icons as Brandi taking it upon herself to pave the way for future athletes' safety, athletics as a whole will improve!
