whether he would return in time for Saturday nights game against Rutgers.

Relief. Thats what I felt when I received word Dale Earnhardt Jr. had made the decision to remain on the sidelines for the remainder of 2016.That was my perspective -- that of a 50-year-old former driver who has?sustained many concussions and weighing every conversation Ive had with Dale the past two months.His wasnt the most popular announcement for those hoping to see him compete again (count me among them), but it was the absolute correct announcement as it relates to his future.Here is why:?? Having not been in a race car for roughly 60 days, Dale has made progress as it relates to the symptoms associated with his concussions, but the symptoms still exist. Thats concerning.?? I believe its your bodys way of talking to you, reminding you that there are still repairs needing to be made. Those repairs require time. How much time? Nobody knows.?? To that end, having a conference every two weeks doesnt help a person psychologically. With each announcement comes hope, or expectation. I believe in my heart of hearts that a person like Dale has no interest in letting people down. For a driver in his position, thats added pressure, and it probably doesnt help.?? When symptoms last for an extended period of time, you begin questioning yourself. Why is this taking longer than before? Did I cross the line (of what a body can tolerate) this time? What if I cant ever race again? Its hard to imagine, but if you love driving cars fast, its very uncomfortable to face the prospect of never being able to do it again.?? When youre in your 20s, you have no money, little responsibility, and even less regard for your health. You will do whatever it takes to be successful, to win, to become a member of that elite list of drivers associated with winning at NASCARs highest level. In your 40s you become aware of the punishment your body has taken, the toll that was paid in order to reach those goals.The Bottom LineIm 10 years into retirement, and Ive never replicated the feeling, the sensation of driving race cars, and in particular the elation of being the first to pass under the checkered flag. Winning races delivers a fulfillment I cannot describe, but if you watch how each weeks winner celebrates, regardless of it being their first or their 40th, it paints a vivid picture.That void can be very difficult, even damaging for retired athletes. Its almost impossible to prepare for, and I can tell you, Ive had my challenges.Dale Earnhardt Jr. Is more than just a great athlete, he is an icon. He has the popularity of an Elvis Presley, the skill of a Ken Griffey Jr., with the pressure like Griffeys of following in the footsteps of a legend.I was relieved for Dale after Fridays announcement because he has a tall, tall, hurdle to clear.Having stepped out from behind the wheel of his car twice in his career because of concussion-type symptoms, he cannot risk a third. Not at 42. It simply doesnt make sense.The temptation to come back because you feel better, because you have been cleared could set Dale back with the possibility of the symptoms returning because of the loads from the banking, the g-force, vibrations, noise and frequencies.These arent things most people consider. These are things Ive experienced.Although I miss driving and competing and know I cant match the value it brought to my life, Ive discovered a whole new appreciation for the things I do have.My three healthy children are front and center. They light up my life.My view of Dales circumstance isnt exclusive to the race car driver, its also about the son, the brother, the fiancé and the friend.Trust me when I tell you, Dales decision on when or whether to return has great implications. Air Max 97 Pas Cher Chine . Ibaka equaled a career high with 20 rebounds, adding four blocked shots and 15 points as the Thunder smothered the Milwaukee Bucks offence in a 92-79 victory Saturday night. Air Max 96 Noir et Blanche . Miller reached right to deflect Mikhail Grabovskis attempt with just over 2 minutes remaining in regulation, and then made two more saves in the shootout Sunday to give the Sabres a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals. http://www.airmaxpaschersite.fr/basket-air-max-plus-outlet.html . 4 Villanova with a 96-68 drubbing on Monday. Wragge hit 9-of-14 from behind the arc, matching Kyle Korvers school record for 3-pointers in a game set in 2003, as Creighton (16-3, 6-1 Big East broke a conference record with 21 treys in the rout. Nike Tn Requin Pas Cher . Clarkson had been dealing with an elbow injury in early January and will be out of action for at least one week. He has three goals and five assists through 36 games with the Leafs this season. Destockage Air Max 97 . Denis Coderre, the former federal MP who was elected mayor on Nov. 3, has drawn the ire of some Montreal Canadiens. During last nights game he tweeted: "Hello? Can we get a one-way ticket to (minor-league) Hamilton for David Desharnais please. STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Injuries are mounting for No. 10 Penn State, as coach James Franklin announced Tuesday that offensive tackle Paris Palmer will miss the rest of the season after suffering a leg injury in the first quarter of Saturdays game against Indiana.Franklin declined to release specifics about the injury. Palmer is now one of four injured Nittany Lions offensive linemen.We do have a little bit of an injury situation going on, Franklin acknowledged during his weekly news conference.Offensive tackle Brendan Mahon, who was hospitalized last week, was not listed on this weeks depth chart. But Franklin again declined Tuesday to say whether Mahon was out for the year, saying only that, Well see how it goes.Offensive lineman Connor McGovern, a true freshman, also was injured Saturday -- although Franklin said it was too early to say whether he would return in time for Saturday nights game against Rutgers. The fourth injured lineman, Andrew Nelson, suffered an apparent knee injury last month.Palmers injury Saturday was the latest blow to an improved offennsive line that took an obvious step back without four tackles.dddddddddddd Penn State allowed 15-tackles-for-loss against Indiana.The redshirt senior limped off the field Saturday and headed to the locker room after blocking on a play in which quarterback Trace McSorley scampered for a 10-yard touchdown. Palmer later returned on crutches.As a result, Franklin has not ruled out taking off the redshirts of true freshmen Will Fries and Michal Menet. As it stands, redshirt freshman Ryan Bates and redshirt sophomore Chasz Wright are expected to start Saturday.Franklin remained optimistic about any potential changes Tuesday, however, because Penn State overcame numerous injuries at linebacker earlier in the season. At one point, seven linebackers were hurt or unavailable for the Lions.Im proud of the mentality we had at linebacker earlier in the year when we faced some challenges, he said. Same thing with the offensive line right now. ' ' '