DR K: THE RETURN OF SPORTS AND THE MEDIA SPIN ON COVID-19 NUMBERS
Dr. K joined us to talk about the recent Covid-19 numbers connected to sports and the best way to get...
Dr. K joined us to talk about the recent Covid-19 numbers connected to sports and the best way to get...
Dr. K joined us on the show this week to give everyone an update on how Covid-19 is affecting sports...
Brett "Superfly" Hayes here. In our final hour today, we were joined by Dr. K from Metro Health to discuss...
Huge is cool with waiting a little longer on the return of sports. He thinks we need to get priorities...
Huge shares the true meaning of Memorial Day by telling you about heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for their...
Huge welcomes back live sports like soccer, a golf skins game and NASCAR. He didn't miss the fans while he...
Forest Hills Eastern High in Grand Rapids lost Tim Hollern, a teacher, coach and administrator Monday. Huge pays tribute to...
Huge has talked with medical professionals and he feels it is time to start the journey of opening sports up....
Huge is optimistic we will see sports this summer and fall and he has ideas on how it could happen....
Bill Simonson, a.k.a. Huge, can't watch local and national media panic reports regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. He wants the true...
The story of a James \"Bob\" Robert Kalsu touched my heart. Kalsu was a professional football player from Oklahoma who played with the Buffalo Bills and died in Vietnam. He had a chance to return home, but never wanted to leave his fellow soldiers on the hill that eventually would take his life in 1970. His wife heard of his death shortly after their first son was born.<\/p>\r\n
A young man willing to die for his country defines sacrifice and honor. He is a chapter of a book on military heroes that never ends.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The story of former Arizona Cardinals player Pat Tillman is one we all should tell our children. Tillman was so inspired after<\/a>\u00a09\/11<\/a>\u00a0that he left millions of dollars and an NFL contract to join the Army and follow his brother into battle.<\/p>\r\n Tillman died from friendly fire in a dark mountain pass during a firefight in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004. Even with the political fallout of the Army brass using his death as propaganda, we still should admire his love of his country.<\/p>\r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n Loving your country isn't always defined by who you are or what you have. Cpl. Brock Bucklin, of Kentwood, had his life cut short in Iraq in 2006. His body was flown to Grand Rapids on the same flight as Dan Rooney, a one time aspiring pro golfer and F-16 fighter pilot. As the plane landed, the airline's pilot asked the passengers for a moment of silence as Cpl. Bucklin's casket was removed from the plane.<\/p>\r\n Rooney was so inspired, he started a small golf fundraiser at Grand Haven Golf Club that grew into the Folds of Honor Foundation that now has raised over a 100 million dollars \u00a0for college scholarships for children of men and women injured of killed in combat. All this in the name of Brock Bucklin.<\/p>\r\n\r\n It\u2019s been almost a decade since I came across the story \u00a0of a 24-year-old man from the north side of Grand Rapids who stepped forward to defend and fight for his country.<\/p>\r\n Daane DeBoer was a combat engineer for our United States Marine Corps and died in June 2010 in combat<\/a> when a bomb exploded at his feet in Afghanistan. These are the real stories of fallen heroes who never should be forgotten.<\/p>\r\n\r\n I\u2019ve\u00a0 had the chance the past eight-plus years to get to know the Warsen family and the legacy of their fallen son, brother, nephew and grandson.<\/p>\r\n\r\n David Warsen was a Navy SEAL from Kentwood who gave his life for our country. He died in an ambush in the mountains of Afghanistan in August 2011. He loved his family, country and the game of soccer.<\/p>\r\n Since his death, family and friends have made it their mission to make sure David is never forgotten.<\/p>\r\n\r\n On September 24th 2015 I walked into the home of Lucas Smith in Hudsonville, Michigan. He had just won a huge house party from my show. His family and friends were there to enjoy a night of football, food, and fun. As we sat down I noticed a military photo on his wall. I asked Lucas if he served our country. He said the photo was of his brother Ross Smith of Wyoming, Michigan. Lucas then told me Ross died in Fallujah, Iraq on Feb 9 2006. He made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. At that time I told Lucas I would do everything I could on and off air to make sure Ross was never forgotten. That those who never knew him would hear his life story. Fourteen years after his death Ross Smith is remembered as a hometown hero and his legacy of family, duty, honor, and country lives on.<\/p>\r\n\r\n Eric Burri, 21, from Wyoming, Michigan was killed in 2005 in Iraq while fighting the war on terror. I had the chance to interview his father John. He was and is so proud of his son.\u00a0Fifteen years after making the ultimate sacrifice, Eric Burri was recently inducted into the Parachute Rigger Hall of Fame at Fort Lee, Virginia.<\/p>\r\n These are just a few of the men who have given their lives for America. With others who made the ultimate sacrifice they should always be remembered on Memorial Day Weekend. Please take a few minutes and honor those who gave so much for what we have today.<\/p>\r\n If you want to hear some of the voices of Gold Star family members who lost a loved one listen to their interviews here: thehugeshow.ne<\/a>t<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Huge Show is heard Statewide in Michigan Weekday afternoons 3-6pm. To get the podcast and to listen live:\u00a0thehugeshow.net<\/a><\/em>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nPhotos collected by The Huge Show courtesy Gold Star families; <\/em>Flag photo by Greg Johnson<\/em>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nMEET BROCK BUCKLIN<\/h4>\r\n
MEET DAANE DEBOER<\/h4>\r\n\r\n
MEET DAVID WARSEN<\/h4>\r\n\r\n
MEET ROSS SMITH<\/h4>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
MEET DANIEL PRICE<\/h4>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
MEET NICK ROUSH<\/h4>\r\n
MEET ERIC BURRI<\/h4>\r\n
WITHOUT OUTBREAK SPORTS CAN PROCEED<\/h3>\r\nIf there isn't a wave of virus outbreaks among the German soccer clubs, NASCAR teams, and those who were part of the Sunday skins game, then I think that\u2019s a start-signal for most sports on all levels to proceed. That's proceed with no fans allowed and safety precautions in place.\r\n\r\nThe best thing that helped sports return is that we\u2019ve learned with more testing COVID-19 isn\u2019t a death sentence for all who are infected. We had 60 million people infected in America in 2009-2010 from last flu pandemic. COVID-19 isn\u2019t the flu, but the more we are testing the lower the mortality rate becomes for the virus.\r\n\r\nEven if there are a few isolated positive tests with the return of sports, the medical virus knowledge that experts have acquired can allow sports to go on. The UFC had a fighter test positive a little over a week ago at their cage event in Florida and their show went on as planned.\r\n\r\nI think the live lessons learned from last weekend are huge for all sports to return without fans. Pro and some college teams have TV deals that can finance their return and protect them financially short term without fans. Other sports don't have that luxury.\r\n\r\nWithout news of a massive second wave of people dying from the virus, and without our hospitals being slammed with critically ill infected patients, sports will be back to stay for good. Our fight against the virus isn\u2019t just about positive tests. It\u2019s about limiting the loss of life and keeping the masses out of hospitals. We are doing that now as we learn more about the virus. The positive trending medical date is real hope for all of us, not just in sports. Medical officials will need to sort through how many people actually died from COVID-19 or from previous underlying conditions. This will tell us the true story of this fight against the virus. When more medical data is finalized we then can have the big picture on the virus long term.\r\n
RETURN OF YOUTH SPORTS IN EARLY JUNE?<\/h3>\r\nThe return of youth sports should begin in early June in Michigan. Look for baseball, softball, swimming and running\u00a0 to be the first sports allowed to practice and play. Look for soccer, football, and basketball by July 1 if there\u2019s no viral outbreak with the kids. Ohio went with the no contact sports first for kids. I think our state will follow their plan. As a father of three younger children I get the safety precautions but also don\u2019t want youth sports leagues or schools to overreact.\r\n\r\nOn Sunday May 17 these were the Covid-19 numbers by age group in the State of Michigan:\r\n\r\nCases by Age<\/strong>\r\n\r\nAge \u2013 Percentage of overall cases by Age \u2013 Percentage of Deceased Cases by Age<\/strong>\r\n\r\n0-19\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 3%\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <1%<\/strong>\r\n\r\n20-29\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 11% \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 <1%<\/strong>\r\n\r\n30-29\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 13% \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 1%<\/strong>\r\n\r\n40-49 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 16% \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 3%<\/strong>\r\n\r\n50-59\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 18% \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 8%<\/strong>\r\n\r\n60-69\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 16%\u00a0 \u00a0 18%<\/strong>\r\n\r\n70-79\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 11% \u00a0 27%<\/strong>\r\n\r\n80+\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <1% \u00a0 0%<\/strong>\r\n\r\nUnknown <1%\u00a0 0%<\/strong>\r\n\r\nYou can see for yourself the concern about youth sports returning\/schools opening back up should focus on the social distancing\/safety of the older coaches\/teachers\/support personnel more than the children.\r\n\r\nMy opinion is the virus politics need to end now. Forget just thinking sports. If our economy continues to suffer the financial devastation will take decades to recover from. Families and schools will suffer the most. Most pro, college, and high school sports won\u2019t have the cash flow to continue if virus politics run wild in America until Election Day 2020.\r\n\r\nLet\u2019s all work together now to do what we can to save lives, jobs, our country and sports.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Huge Show is heard Statewide in Michigan Weekday afternoons 3-6pm. To get the podcast and to listen live:\u00a0thehugeshow.net<\/a><\/em>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nImage from: https:\/\/www.bettorsinsider.com\/nascar\/2020\/05\/18\/kevin-harvick-beats-alex-bowman-to-win-at-darlington-as-nascar-returns-to-racing","post_title":"HUGE: NO FANS NO PROBLEM","post_excerpt":"Huge welcomes back live sports like soccer, a golf skins game and NASCAR. He didn't miss the fans while he was watching on television. He thinks the COVID-19 data will help sports get back on track.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"huge-no-fans-no-problem","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-05-18 16:05:14","post_modified_gmt":"2020-05-18 20:05:14","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.michigansportsnetwork.com\/?p=2811","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2788,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2020-05-13 15:40:06","post_date_gmt":"2020-05-13 19:40:06","post_content":"I think most of us know - now more than ever before - how important our local school teachers, support staff, coaches and principals are to the development of our children.\r\n\r\nThe Covid-19 shutdown of schools has been a wake-up call for most of us. Those who work at a school are not replacements for us as parents but they help us in ways words can\u2019t explain. This abrupt end to the school year has given all families more respect for what schools do for our kids. That circle of trust inside any school includes a special group of men and women who have chosen a path in life to help us guide our children through their important growing years.\r\n
TIM HOLLERN MADE A DIFFERENCE<\/h3>\r\n
IMMUNE SYSTEM WEAKENED<\/h3>\r\n
ECONOMY FIRST, SPORTS SECOND<\/h3>\r\nBefore sports, the economy needs to open up first. Some small businesses may never open again. The economic impact on our country right now is staggering. Medical data and common sense can help those businesses immediately get back on their feet.\r\n\r\nWe have learned so much about the virus the last three months. We know those age 60-and-up are the most vulnerable. We know those under 30 are barely touched by the virus. Hot spots of breakouts and vulnerable age groups need our help now and in the future, but there is no need to keep entire states shut down and all sports in limbo.\r\n\r\nOnce the economy engine has started the sports machine will get the green light to go. The low percentage impact of Covid-19 on children and young adults should be enough to open colleges to students this fall and youth sports this summer. Students should be back on college and high school campuses and that will mean the return of sports on all levels. Kid\u2019s sports away from school should begin play before school starts. If the true medical data shows it\u2019s safe, then let the kids at hardly no risk play.\r\n\r\nI get crowds coming back to sports will be a delicate issue. I support some realistic forms of continued social distancing. Unfortunately, those adults sick or medically vulnerable to the virus may not be able to coach, officiate, or even attend games until their conditions improve or medical professionals clear them.\r\n
WHAT MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS SAY<\/h3>\r\nIn order, these are the important issues medical professionals tell me that have to happen before sports return:\r\n\r\n1) Dramatic drop in daily virus death rate continues over the next month.\r\n\r\n2) Hospital systems remain not buried with virus patients.\r\n\r\n3) No second wave of the virus in the next 30 days.\r\n\r\nIf the next month continues to show fewer deaths and hospitalizations because of the virus we should be able to take major steps in Michigan to open the economy back up and let the kids get back outside playing the games they love to play.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe Huge Show is heard Statewide in Michigan Weekday afternoons 3-6pm. To get the podcast and to listen live:\u00a0thehugeshow.net<\/a><\/em>\r\n\r\nPhoto\/image from astrology-zodiac-signs.com<\/em>\r\n\r\n ","post_title":"HUGE: IT'S TIME FOR THE RETURN OF SPORTS","post_excerpt":"Huge has talked with medical professionals and he feels it is time to start the journey of opening sports up. He cites three things that have to happen first.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"huge-its-time-for-the-return-of-sports","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-05-04 16:18:16","post_modified_gmt":"2020-05-04 20:18:16","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.michigansportsnetwork.com\/?p=2695","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":2556,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2020-04-22 16:42:36","post_date_gmt":"2020-04-22 20:42:36","post_content":"
USE IMPORTANT NUMBERS<\/h4>\r\nThe media should just follow the medical and hospital data on critical cases and people dying. Those are the important numbers.\r\n\r\nWe didn\u2019t shut down Michigan, or most of America, for people getting sick. Our isolation efforts were, and currently are, to protect as many people as possible from hospitalization and death. We were originally told hundreds of thousands could die and hospitals wouldn\u2019t be able to handle patient\u2019s needs. That\u2019s why we shut it down.\r\n
DATA SHOWS PATH TO RECOVERY<\/h4>\r\nWhen medical data now shows open hospital space and less people dying each day locally, statewide and nationally, my trusted medical professionals tell me we\u2019re on the path to recovery.\r\n\r\nWe\u2019re not there yet, but we\u2019ve made incredible progress as a country the last two weeks. There is still work to do. Keep the faith and don\u2019t buy into the election year pandemic panic on TV and the social networks.\r\n\r\nLet the true medical data guide us all out of this.\r\n\r\nThe Huge Show is heard Statewide in Michigan Weekday afternoons 3-6pm. To get the podcast and to listen live:\u00a0thehugeshow.net<\/a><\/em>\r\n\r\nImage at top from wifr.com<\/em>\r\n\r\n ","post_title":"LET COVID-19 MEDICAL DATA GUIDE US","post_excerpt":"Bill Simonson, a.k.a. Huge, can't watch local and national media panic reports regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. He wants the true medical data to lead us through this crisis.","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"let-covid-19-medical-data-guide-us","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2020-04-21 16:39:46","post_modified_gmt":"2020-04-21 20:39:46","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.michigansportsnetwork.com\/?p=2538","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};