Signing of the Stars and Coach Jim Harbaugh

What I learned from the University of Michigan Signing of the Stars and Coach Jim Harbaugh

by Allan Mishra
@bloodcure

Seek a unique perspective.
Harbaugh and his expert production team took a rather mundane event (signing of high school football players) and turned it into an Oscar-like event.  The day inspired not only the Michigan football program but the entire university.

Embrace diversity.
The crowd supporting the newly signed Michigan players included Tom Brady, Derek Jeter, Denard Robinson, Jordon Kovacs, Charles Woodson, wrestler Rick Flair, world champion poker player Phil Hellmuth, rap group Migos, Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Coach Mike Ditka, and many others.  The collective value of the group to the signees and audience was staggering.

Sometimes you just have to ask.
Former Notre Dame Coach Lou Holtz helped carry the event with excellent one liners.  Why did a coach from another school come to a Michigan football event?  Simply because Jim Harbaugh asked him.  To the new Michigan players Holtz said:  "You didn't just make a four year decision, you made a 40 year decision"  He understands and articulated how the new players would be part of Michigan for the rest of their lives---a powerful message.

"Some people think less is more, I believe more is more."---Jim Harbaugh
Jim Harbaugh doesn't like meetings and discusses strategy on the field with this players and coaches during marathon four hour practices.  We all should have less meetings and execute instead of engaging in perpetual discussion.

"Those who stay will be champions"-----Coach Bo Schembechler
Harbaugh added a corollary to that famous Michigan axiom.  "Try hard and you will stay".  He has written this above the exit sign from the Michigan locker room.  The implication is clear.  Work as hard as you can and you will stay.  Stay and you will be a champion.  Embracing this mindset could help all of us in our chosen professions.


"Attack each day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind."---Jim Harbaugh 
Harbaugh and his team gave a swag bag full of gear emblazoned with his motto to all the presenters.  After the star-studded event was over around 1 pm, Harbaugh, true to form, was quoted by the Michigan daily as saying:  “We’ll be back to work at 2.30.”  Translation---have some fun but then return to the relentless pursuit of being one of the leaders and best.

Video montage of the event produced by VisionVideo360




AM
@bloodcure
TotalTendon

Super Bowl High Ankle Sprain and Platelet Rich Plasma

Rob Gronkowski of the SuperBowl New England Patriots apparently has a "high ankle" sprain.  First let's define a high ankle sprain.  This is a stretching or tearing of the ligaments that connect the two bones of the just above the ankle, the fibula and tibia.  That is why it is called a "high" ankle sprain as opposed to a typical less serious ne that involves the ligaments just below the joint line.  It can lead to significant instability of the ankle that at times requires surgery.  It also takes between 6-8 weeks to heal even if surgery is not needed.  

The details about his injury are little sketchy but here is what I can find so far.   He did not practice on Monday and has been wearing a boot.  He injured it in the AFC championship game 10 days ago.  I think it is possible the doctors may have given him platelet rich plasma to speed the healing of his injury.  There is no published data supporting this application but based on preclinical studies, it may be an effective treatment.  Here is a link to a story that fuels that speculation.    He will also likely to receive game time treatment in the form of tight taping or bracing and perhaps even a pain killing shot into the joint. 

Here is what to watch for.  Will he be able to block and make sharp cuts during his recieving routes?  A high ankle sprain by definition injuries the ligaments that stablize and support these moves.  Can he somehow become the Hines Ward of 2012 and make a catch in the first series that helps his team ultimately win the Super Bowl?  The first quarter of the game will help all of us better understand.  Hopefully, after the game we will learn more about his actual injury and treatment. 

Read more about High Ankle Sprains

Read more this speculation on ESPN. 

AM
@BloodCure on Twitter

Total Tendon 

Platelet Rich Plasma New York Times Article

The New York Times just published an article about the use of Platelet Rich Plasma for professional and weekend warrior athletes.

NY Times PRP Article

Check it out and post your comments here.

AM
Total Tendon

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