Have you ever felt that fate meant for you to take a different path than the one you took? In some fields, making that change is possible, or even common — as any law student can tell you, where the “average” age of students is in their 30s. But other worlds, like the world of professional sports, are less welcoming to those over 25. The Rookie
3 OLDEST ROOKIES IN SPORTS HISTORY
for three years and spitting them out, all in the name of entertainment, consider the case of another similar story that was turned into a movie, that of Vince Papale — played by Mark Wahlberg in “Invincible.” Of course, Papale — whose flag football prowess in his late 20s overrode his lack of college ball experience — signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1970s. Modern football has come a long way, critics will argue. But there’s no denying the old-school toughness and tenacity Papale showed in making it to the NFL. NBA player Pablo Prigioni’s career was twice as long as either Morris’ or Papale’s was, with four years in the big leagues starting in 2012 at age 35. But basketball is arguably less demanding on the body than football and even baseball if we look at the potential damage major league pitchers can do to their throwing arm. Their careers may not have been the stuff of dreams, but these three men showed something we all like to see: tough players hanging on long past their “prime.” And they lived the dream — if only for a while. We all love that!
Which only makes for a better story when it does happen, of course.
That’s what Jim Morris discovered when he signed with a Major League Baseball team in 1999 after his 35th birthday. Morris’ life became the subject of the 2002 Dennis Quaid movie “The Rookie,” filmed just after Morris’ major league career had ended. You might think that two years is a short time in the majors, but hey, you try throwing 98-mph fastballs for hours a week, 104 weeks in a row! Besides, the careers of pro athletes aren’t nearly as long as icons like Tom Brady or Peyton Manning would have you believe. The average MLB career may be a few years longer than Morris stuck it out, but in the NFL? Most players make it less than three years and quit, depending on the position. While you’re meditating on the ethics of chewing up football players
How Courts Determine Who’s At Fault in a Car Accident?
Getting into a car accident can be a paralyzing experience, both emotionally and possibly even physically. After determining your health and safety, you may become concerned about being incorrectly labeled as the at-fault party. How do courts determine this? First of all, remember: Never admit fault to the other party, your insurance agent, or the police — be truthful about the events (lying could worsen the situation), but don’t say you were at fault. From there, the key to holding the other driver responsible when you are seriously injured in a car accident is proving that they were more than 50% at fault. Most car accidents are caused by some kind of driver error, including the following: Distracted Driving When a driver is texting or talking on a cellphone, their attention is taken from the road long enough to miss seeing another car or potential hazard. Drivers are also distracted by eating,
adjusting the radio, programming a GPS device, talking to passengers, dealing with young children or pets in the car, and daydreaming. When a distracted or inattentive driver causes an accident, they should be held accountable. Reckless Driving Excessive speed, weaving in and out of traffic, exhibiting road rage, tailgating, and other dangerous actions are considered to be reckless driving. Reckless drivers are responsible for a number of serious car accidents, especially on the highway. Traffic cameras and eyewitnesses are key to proving a reckless driver’s fault in an accident. Impaired Driving Drivers who are drunk or impaired by street drugs or prescription medications lack the judgment and response time necessary to avoid accidents. If a driver is arrested for OUI/DUI at the scene of your crash, your case for fault will be that much stronger. Impaired drivers should be charged with a crime, but they can also be held financially accountable.
Careless Driving A driver who breaks any traffic law — speeding, failing to signal, failing to yield the right of way, following too closely, or ignoring a traffic sign or signal, for example — should be ticketed and held responsible for a resulting crash. Even the simplest driving mistake can lead to a deadly collision. If the other driver committed one of these — or any other — driving offenses, they should be made to pay for the harm they have caused you and your family. Give us a call so our expert team can help you win your claim as soon as possible.
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