Letter From the Publisher

Storm clouds gathered over the landscape of football. The first effects were felt in Tallahassee in February when freshman linebacker Devaughn Darling died after a strenuous off-season workout. Then, on July 25, incoming University of Florida freshman fullback Eraste Autin died six days after he collapsed following a voluntary workout. As if these tragedies were not enough to make everyone associated with the game of football look hard at the types of workout programs athletes are participating in, next came the shocking heat-related death of Minnesota Viking All-Pro lineman Korey Stringer. Finally, on August 3, Northwestern defensive back Rashidi Wheeler died after a workout in what the coroner said was an asthma related attack. Like everyone else, I tried to make sense out of the sadness; it was impossible. I could not bear hearing the words of Darling\'s mother or read the words from