by Mack Prioleau

Vacations do not have to be spent relaxing on a sunny beach or by the pool. In fact, for many travelers, this type of vacation just seems plain boring. So let’s replace the beach with a mountain, the pool with a parachute, and get our adrenaline pumping. Here are the best destinations for adventure seekers and adrenaline junkies.

South Island, New Zealand

The landscape of New Zealand is incredible. Everything there is larger, wilder, and more rugged than basically anywhere else on the planet. New Zealand’s South Island, in particular, is the perfect place for any outdoor lover. Queenstown should be renamed the adventure tourism capital of the world. There is an endless list of activities, but they are not for the faint of heart. Skydiving, bungee jumping, heli-biking, paragliding, jet boating, white-water rafting, and zip lining are all available to you here. For adventure seekers looking for something a little milder, do not worry, the region offers some incredible hiking and skiing as well.

Canadian Rockies

The Canadian Rockies lie between British Columbia and Alberta, and encompass a stunning 7,814 square miles of national parks. There is no question that the region’s monstrous white-capped mountains and sapphire-blue lakes are worth taking in for yourself by foot. That is why hiking is one of the most popular activities in the Rockies. Whether you plan to do an organized venture or trek through on your own, there a few places that you definitely need to see. Hike the shores of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake in Banff, where you can witness the incredible Valley of the Ten Peaks. Looking for a break from hiking? Kick up your adventure with a rafting trip down the Kicking Horse River. The most adrenaline-pumping adventure, however, is the heli-hike to the base of Mount Assiniboine, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, standing nearly 12,000 feet high.

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Kenai Peninsula is often referred to as Alaska’s Playground because it offers travelers an impressive 15,000 square miles of unforgettable wilderness adventure. This playground has things that will appeal to any adrenaline junkie. Raft down the intense Six Mile Creek, one of Alaska’s most difficult rafting rivers. With torrents of class 4 and 5 waves flanked by rocky cliffs, your heart will be pumping the entire way. For those that are trying to see some wildlife, including brown and black bears, moose, lynx, wolves, and foxes.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica has more than just sunshine and beaches. There is plenty of opportunities for adventurers to take a trip on the wild side down in the Caribbean. From white-water rafting and world-class surfing to volcano tours and zip-lines through the jungle, Costa Rica has something for everyone. The white-water rapids are some of the world’s best: Reventazon River and the Pacuare River offer more than 20 class 3 and 4 rapids. The zip-line courses give you an interesting perspective of the jungle in a uniquely thrilling way.

For more great travel ideas, please check out my travel blog.

The National Football League (NFL) is the top professional league in the United States for American football. The NFl is the most popular professional sports league in the United States, and the Super Bowl is often the most watched television event of the year. Here are 12 incredible facts about the NFL that you won’t believe are true.

1) After the AFL/NFL merger, no one could agree on a realignment plan for the NFC. So how was it determined? The five best plans were put into a vase and Pete Rozelle’s secretary selected one at random.

2) Jerry Rice and Brett Favre are about as durable of a football player as you can ask for. They are the only non-kickers to play in over 300 games.

3) Most people associate NFL football with Sunday. However, there has actually been games played on every day of the week in the modern NFL. A game was played on a Tuesday because of a Pennsylvania blizzard. A game was played on Wednesday because the NFL moved the Washington-New York Thursday night season opener so that it would not overlap with John McCain’s speech at the Republican convention. Games that were played on a Friday were either due to Christmas or New Year’s.

4) Steve Young is the only left-handed quarterback to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

5) Back in 1962, CBS paid $4.65 million for the first exclusive rights to broadcast NFL games, a small fraction of what it costs for these rights today. Fox Network pays a reported $1.15 billion per year to broadcast NFC games.

6) In 1992, the National Football League experimented with two bye weeks.

7) Emmitt Smith won the rushing title during the 1993 season, despite missing the first two games because of a contract dispute.

8) There have been a lot of team names in the NFL that have come and gone. Some of the team names that no longer exist include the All-Americans, Celts, Reds, Panhandles, Triangles, Heralds, Eskimos, Yellowjackets, Colonels, Marines, Tornadoes, Maroons, Jeffersons, Gunners, Stapes, and Maroons.

9) The Indianapolis Colts won an impressive 23-straight regular-season games spanning the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

10) There is only one quarterback in NFL history that has an undefeated record in multiple playoff starts. Frank Reich went 2-0 in relief of Jim Kelly back in 1993. One of the games includes one of the biggest comeback of all time.

11) There have been a total of 373 sets of brothers who have played in the NFL. Since the merger, the Browner family holds the record for most brothers in the NFl with a total of four. Eli and Peyton Manning are the only brothers to both win the Super Bowl MVP.

12) NFL Players were not required to wear helmets until the 1943 season.

 

Information courtesy of USA Today

There is no question that the long-term effects of concussions are a serious issue facing the sport of football. However, most football-related deaths are not actually linked to head trauma. It is actually heart failures and heat illness that contribute to the high levels of death. A 2013 study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine examined 242 high school football fatalities from 1990 to 2010 and found that heat illness and heart failure were twice as common as blunt force trauma in all the deaths recorded during this two-decade span. While it is devastating to see people lose their lives to the game that they love, it is encouraging to see new technologies on the horizon that aim to make the sport safer for everyone. I recently read this article, outlining some of the greatest advancements in football safety that we have to look forward too.

Here are the top 4 advancements in football safety:

1) Mobile Virtual Players

Head coach Buddy Teevens of Dartmouth College eliminated tackling in practice back in 2010. Instead of players, the team has been using robots, known as Mobile Virtual Players. The equipment was designed by a former Dartmouth football player, in an attempt to limit the brunt of the punishment during tackling drills, sparring humans potential harm. NFL officials are beginning to catch wind of this technology, and they have met with Teevens to discuss the robot’s effectiveness. “We are always interested in new technologies that will improve training techniques with an eye toward the health and safety of players,” says Jeff Miller, NFL’s senior vice president of health and safety policy.

2) BrainScope

The NFL has partnered with General Electric in an effort to discover new safety improvements for the sport. The two businesses recently gave $500,000 to the Maryland-based start-up BrainScope for further development of its mobile device that can conduct and analyze electroencephalograms, enabling the diagnosing of brain injuries immediately after a collision. The products, which use electrodes attached to a mobile device, are not yet cleared for commercial use, but we should expect to see them very soon!

3) Heart Health Questionnaire

The medical community is currently divided on whether EKG screenings are an effective way to uncover heart problems in athletes. Many believe they are unreliable, giving false positives and false negatives, including the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology. These organizations support the use of a 14-point questionnaire about symptoms and family heart history, which can be assessed by physicians for further testing or monitoring.

4) Guardian Caps

Guardian Caps estimates that over 40,000 of its padded coverings are used across the United States by football and lacrosse teams. The padding fits over helmets and hooks to face masks, reducing impact by up to 33 percent. This technology has been cleared by the National Federation of State High School Associations for use in practice and games. The Atlanta-based company is also committed to helping to aid brain injury research, donating 5 percent of its profits to research.

The 2016 football season begins today, as Vanderbilt is set to kick off spring practice. The Black & Gold Spring Game will take place next month, March 25, and feature a “Friday Night Lights” theme, according to head coach Derek Mason. Over the next month, Vanderbilt will look to retool on both sides of the ball in preparation for the exhibition game.

The Black & Gold Spring Game will help give us a better idea of what to expect once the regular season kicks off next fall. With that in mind, here are the five storylines that you need to follow during spring practice.

Simplified Defense In The Spring

Expect to see Mason trim down the defensive playbook for the spring so that he can see his players’ raw abilities at full speed. Within the 3-4 scheme, Mason will only have four base calls and four more calls in a nickel package. “We are going to recalibrate, bring this thing right back to ground zero,” said Mason, whose defense was among the best in the SEC last season. “We have tweaked this defense a little bit, so you are going to see some guys in different positions. There will be more speed on the field and a more athletic look.”

Same OC and Quarterback

Vanderbilt will most likely be sticking with their starting Quarterback, Kyle Shurmur, who started five games at the end of his 2015 freshman campaign. Shurmur passed for 503 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions last season. Offensive Coordinator, Andy Ludwig, is back as well, giving the Commodores more stability on the offensive end this spring. Strong quarterback play will be the most important factor for Vanderbilt if they hope to see improvement this season.

Spring Game Standouts

A good spring practice does not necessarily translate into a successful season. However, there is no question that some individual breakouts begin in the spring. Look no further than Ralph Webb, who had a big performance in the spring game two years ago before going on to break Vanderbilt’s freshman rushing record that fall. Mason hopes to see some running backs and wide receivers show promise during this spring game so that the team can really open up the offense.

Aggressive Up Front

The new offensive line coach, Cameron Norcross, will make his on-field debut with the Commodores this spring. He was hired just last month, previously serving as the Nevada/Fresno State assistant coach. Norcross shared his aggressive philosophy with his new players heading into spring practice. “The big thing with him is that we’re going to be aggressive in everything we do,” said offensive lineman Andrew Jelks, who returns from a 2015 torn ACL. “He wants us up front to be labeled as aggressive types that will hit you in the mouth every play.”

Who Will Be The Go-To Players

Mason stated that is the overall goal for the spring is to get a “true understanding of exactly what our personnel is because you want to design scheme around your best players.” This means that Mason will be moving around players on the defense to try and find the best fit. Norcross will try to get his offensive line solidified, so we can expect some experimentation as he looks to find a group that works best together. Lastly, Shurmur is hopeful to find some new targets in the passing game in the second year of Ludwig’s offense.

The 2015 season for the Dallas Cowboys was sometimes difficult to watch. Despite all the injuries, the team still did remain competitive, even though that did not always translate into higher numbers in the wins column. Here is a look at all the touchdowns from the 2015 season.

Here is an inside look at Vanderbilt University. The campus, founded in 1873, is located in Nashville, Tennesse. The university is named in honor of shipping and rail magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided the school its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the South. Vanderbilt hoped that his gift and the greater work of the university would help to heal the sectional wounds inflicted by the Civil War.

The Dallas Cowboys have had some great players over the past several decades. Many of these players were secured during the NFL draft. There are some draft classes that have stood apart from the pack. These draft classes help to build the core of some of the best rosters in franchise history. I recently came across this article, which I would like to share my own thoughts on below.

Number 5: Class of 2003

The Selections:

Round 1, pick 5: Terence Newman, CB, Kansas State.

Round 2, pick 38: Al Johnson, C, Wisconsin.

Round 3, pick 69: Jason Witten, TE, Tennessee.

Round 4, pick 103: Bradie James, LB, LSU.

Round 6, pick 178: B.J. Tucker, CB, Wisconsin.

Round 6, pick 186: Zuriel Smith, WR, Hampton.

Round 7, pick 219: Justin Bates, G, Colorado.

What Makes Them Special?

Following the 2002 season, the 5-11 Dallas Cowboys were desperate for a shutdown corner. Terence Newman stepped in and made significant contributions for the better part of nine years. He made the Pro Bowl in 2007 and 2009, intercepting at least three passes in all but one season (2006). Bradie James was one of the most consistent players for the Cowboys in recent memory. He recorded at least 100 tackles in five straight seasons and led the Cowboys in tackles six times. Jason Witten has been a rock for the organization to this day. He has earned 10 trips to the Pro Bowl and will certainly be considered for the Ring of Honor some day.

Number 4: Class of 2005

The Selections:

Round 1, pick 11: DeMarcus Ware, OLB, Troy State.

Round 1, pick 20: Marcus Spears, DE, LSU.

Round 2, pick 42: Kevin Burnett, LB, Tennessee.

Round 4, pick 132: Chris Canty, DE, Virginia.

Round 6, pick 208: Justin Beriault, DB, Ball State.

Round 6, pick 209: Rob Petitti, T, Pittsburgh.

Round 7, pick 224: Jay Ratliff, DE, Auburn.

What Makes Them Special?

On his own, DeMarcus Ware makes for a spectacular draft class. Since his rookie year began, Ware has been one of the top pass rushers in the National Football League, recording 134.5 sacks during those 11 seasons and being selected to nine Pro Bowls. The last draft selection by the Cowboys in 2005, Jay Ratliff, proved to be a stellar defensive player as well. Marion Barber provided several quality years for the team, while Spears, Burnett, and Canty all proved to be great value picks as well.

Number 3: Class of 1990

The Selections:

Round 1, pick 17: Emmitt Smith, RB, Florida.

Round 2, pick 26: Alexander Wright, WR, Auburn.

Round 3, pick 64: Jimmie Jones, DT, Miami (Fla.).

Round 9, pick 221: Kenneth Gant, DB, Albany State (Ga.).

Round 11, pick 277: Dave Harper, LB, Humboldt State.

What Makes Them Special?

Although Emmitt Smith is the only notable name from the 1990 draft class, he stand alone as one of the greatest Cowboys of all time. If a team lands a running back that becomes the NFL’s all-time leading rusher and helps the team win three Super Bowls in four year, then that is good enough to put the 1990 class on the list. Let’s be honest, not many general managers would pass up the opportunity to land one of the greatest running backs in NFL history if it meant forgoing the rest of their draft picks.

Number 2: Class of 1991

The Selections:

Round 1, pick 1: Russell Maryland , DT, Miami (Fla.).

Round 1, pick 12: Alvin Harper, WR, Tennessee.

Round 1, pick 20: Kelvin Pritchett, DT, Mississippi.

Round 2, pick 37: Dixon Edwards, LB, Michigan State.

Round 3, pick 62: Godfrey Myles, LB, Florida.

Round 3, pick 64: James Richards, G, California.

Round 3, pick 70: Erik Williams , T, Central State (Ohio).

Round 4, pick 97: Curvin Richards, RB, Pittsburgh.

Round 4, pick 106: Bill Musgrave, QB, Oregon.

Round 4, pick 108: Tony Hill , DE, Tennessee-Chattanooga.

Round 4, pick 110: Kevin Harris, DE, Texas Southern.

Round 5, pick 132: Darrick Brownlow, LB, Illinois.

Round 6, pick 153: Mike Sullivan, G, Miami (Fla.).

Round 7, pick 173: Leon Lett, DE, Emporia State.

Round 9, pick 235: Damon Mays, WR, Missouri.

Round 10, pick 264: Sean Love, G, Penn State.

Round 11, pick 291: Tony Boles, RB, Michigan.

Round 12, pick 320: Larry Brown, CB, TCU.

What Makes Them Special?

The NFL draft is an exciting time of the year for any team, but it is especially special when you have 18 picks. The draft began with Jimmy Johnson grabbing one of his former Miami Players, Russell Maryland. He was one of the foundational pieces that helped the team win three Super Bowls. Lining up next to Maryland during the height of the Cowboys success was Leon Lett. The Defensive End was an absolute steal in the seventh round. Another steal for Dallas came when the landed Larry Brown in the 12th round. Brown was the starting corner for all three Super Bowls and was one of only four defensive players to win Super Bowl MVP since 1987. On offense, Erik WIlliams was one of the best pickups. He started at right tackle for one of the best offensive lines in NFL history.

Number 1: Class of 1989

The Selections:

Round 1, pick 1: Troy Aikman, UCLA

Round 2, pick 39: Daryl Johnston, Syracuse

Round 3, pick 57: Mark Stepnoski, Pittsburgh

Round 3, pick 68: Rhondy Weston, Florida

Round 4, pick 85: Tony Tolbert, UTEP

Round 5, pick 113: Keith Jennings, Clemson

Round 5, pick 119: Willis Crockett, Georgia Tech

Round 5, pick 125: Jeff Roth, Florida

Round 7, pick 168: Kevin Peterson, Northwestern

Round 8, pick 196: Charvez Foger, Nevada

Round 9, pick 224: Tim Jackson, Nebraska

Round 10, pick 252: Rod Carter, Miami (FL)

Round 11, pick 280: Randy Shannon, Miami (FL)

Round 12, pick 308: Scott Ankrom, TCU

What Makes Them Special?

Troy Aikman certainly was the crown jewel of the 1989 draft class, as a Hall of Fame quarterback who led the franchise to three Super Bowl victories. But the Cowboys did not stop there, they hit on a number of other picks as well. Johnston was a two-time Pro Bowl fullback who helped the team for 11 years. Stepnoski had a six-year stint with the Cowboys, making it to three Super Bowls during this time. The 1989 class does not get enough credit for its help as the core of the Cowboys dynasty during the 1990s. The Dallas Cowboys secured three offensive cornerstones, including their leader.

The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most iconic teams in all of sports. The professional football team is a member of the National Football Conference of the NFL. The Cowboys have had a very successful history in the league. As the Dallas Cowboys are my favorite sports team, I have compiled a list of some of the best facts about the franchise. Here are 10 interesting facts about the Dallas Cowboys:

1) The Dallas Cowboys were established in 1960 as an expansion team.

2) The Dallas Cowboys have won the Super Bowl five times. They won Super Bowl VI, XII, XXVII, XXVIII, and XXX.

3) The Dallas Cowboys have played in the playoffs in 31 different seasons. These years include: 1966-1973, 1975-1983, 1985, 1991-1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2014.

4) In 1990, the Cowboys began a streak of 160 sold-out regular and post-season games. This included 79 straight sellouts at their former home, Texas Stadium, and 81 straight sell-outs on the road.

5) The Cowboys are the only team in NFL history to record 20 straight winning seasons: 1966-1985

6) The Dallas Cowboys have several different nicknames, including America’s Team, Doomsday Defense, The Boys and Big D.

7) The Dallas Cowboys are the wealthiest team in the NFL, with an estimated value of approximately $4 billion. They generate almost $620 million in annual revenue.

8) The Dallas Cowboys do not actually play their games in Dallas. They currently play their home games in Arlington, Texas.

9) The team mascot is Rowdy

10) The current owner, president, and general manager is Jerry Jones. The head coach is currently (2014) Jason Garrett.

The Denver Broncos, with Peyton Manning at the helm, defeated the Carolina Panthers by a score of 24-10 in Sunday’s Super Bowl game at Levi’s Stadium. In his 18th season, Manning was able to take home his second Super Bowl trophy. This was certainly a great moment to see for fans who have watched him dominate the field for so many years.

Following the game, Peyton Manning said that he is “very much at peace” as he contemplates retirement from the NFL.

In an interview today, Manning stated: “I’m very much at peace right now and I think, however it works out, it’ll work out the way it’s supposed to. I’m very grateful for this opportunity and to be playing with a group of special guys.”

The veteran quarterback had celebrated the victory with his team all night. Before he makes a final decision on his future he plans to take some time away from the game to think and reflect.

“I got some good advice from my old coach Tony Dungy. He told me just to take some time after this game and not make an emotional decision,” Manning said, referring to his former Indianapolis Colts coach. “There’s been a lot of emotion these past two weeks and certainly in the Super Bowl, so to take some time and to get away and kind of reflect on what’s happened this season and maybe a few other things.”

This was an interesting season for Manning. He struggled to begin the season, looking like a shell of him old self. But when the season is on the line, it is the players like Peyton Manning who shine brightest. He is the ultimate leader and the type of person that anyone would want to have in their locker room.

After this emotional and trying season, Manning certainly deserves some time to relax and enjoy the moment. “I’ve been fortunate to be on a Super Bowl team before and I remember how special that was, almost 10 years ago, and it was just as special tonight,” Manning stated said. “It’s even better when you can celebrate with your family and your friends and I’ve been doing that tonight.”

There is no question that with a Super Bowl win would be an incredible way for one of the greatest football players of all time to would be an incredible way to leave the game. If he decides to hang up his cleats this offseason, it will certainly be sad to see.

 

The Carolina Panthers are considered the favorite to win Super Bowl 50. Five of the eight writers at CBS Sports are taking the Carolina Panthers this Sunday. The experts at SB Nation have similar predictions, with six people in favor of the Panthers and only two for Denver. This is not surprising, considering that fact that the Panthers were close to a undefeated season and that Peyton Manning has been very unpredictable.

The Panthers are making their second trip to the Super Bowl after they dismantled the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship game. Cam Newton was at the top of his game, throwing for two touchdowns and running two more. The defense may have been even better, forcing Carson Palmer into six turnovers.

However, the game against the Cardinals did come with some unfortunate results. Thomas Davis, the Panthers veteran linebacker, broke his forearm. Davis hopes to play against Denver, but his status will be a question mark with such a short covery window.

The AFC Championship game proved to be a much more competitive game. The Broncos pulled off a nail-biting 20-18 win over the New England Patriots that game down to the last seconds. The Broncos have no reached the Super Bowl for the second time in the past three years. They hope to fare better this time around, as their last appearance resulted in a 43-8 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks.

Although Peyton Manning has struggled this season, he appeared to have hit his stride against New England last week; he threw for two touchdowns and zero interceptions. This is the Manning that the Broncos are going to need against the tough Panthers defense. The Broncos Defense has been a rock this entire season. They had an inspiring performance against Tom Brady, never allowing him to get into a rhythm. Cam Newton will certainly be a different type of challenge, but if last week was any indication, they are ready for the big stage.

While the Carolina Panthers may be the heavy favorites, we should look no further than last year’s Super Bowl to know that anything can happen. This will certainly be a great matchup between the two former number one draft picks, pitting the youth of Cam Newton against the experience of Peyton Manning.

If the Broncos want to win this game, their defense will need to keep playing at a high level so that they can put Peyton Manning in a position for some late-career magic.