Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel Season 12 Episode 5 The Commish; In the Headlines; Making Strides
- May 16, 2006
In season 12 episode 5 of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, titled "The Commish; In the Headlines; Making Strides," viewers are taken on a deep dive into three very different sports-related stories.
The first segment, "The Commish," focuses on the longtime commissioner of Major League Baseball, Bud Selig. Despite facing criticism throughout his tenure, Selig steered the MLB through turbulent times, including the steroid era and the 1994 player strike. Now retired, Selig reflects on his legacy and his passion for America's pastime.
"In the Headlines" takes a look at the rising concern of head injuries in contact sports. With high school football being the most common source of traumatic brain injuries for teenagers in the United States, Real Sports investigates the conditions within American football programs and their impact on students. The segment explores what can be done to better protect young athletes and how some organizations are beginning to make strides towards reducing the number of head injuries experienced by players.
Finally, "Making Strides" profiles the unique and unconventional training strategies of Kenyan distance runners. In the high-altitude hills of Kenya's Rift Valley, runners are often trained by former Olympians without the use of modern technology. The segment analyzes the impact of these techniques on their success as athletes and why some of the world's most elite runners hail from this East African nation.
Overall, season 12 episode 5 of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel provides an intriguing look into the world of sports, from exploring the legacy of a controversial sports executive to examining the current state of injuries in youth sports and the unconventional training techniques of Kenya's elite runners.