McCourt Testifies In Bryan Stow Civil Trial

((HT: KTTV/MyFoxLA))

This was interesting...

The former owner of the LA Dodgers testified in the $35-million civil trial brought by Bryan Stow and his family after Stow received a beating in the Dodger Stadium parking lot on Opening Weekend 2011. He is suing McCourt for that amount claiming that will cover his costs for lifetime care since Stow has brain damage and is disabled.

Stow's father was the only member of the family to watch the testimony in the negligence case.

McCourt was asked about the security (or perceived lack thereof) and the McCourt camp maintains that intoxication and heated words caused the fight and beating that disabled Stow rather than the lack of security.

Christina Gonzalez is outside the courtroom
Los Angeles Local News | FOX 11 LA KTTV

Stow's attorneys are saying care could be more in the neighborhood of $50-million.

Kolstad In Coma, Nelson And Shelley Out On Bond

((HT: MyFoxTwinCities))

The news on Isaac Kolstad isn't good from his family and, sadly, it might be worse for Philip Nelson and Trevor Shelley before it's done.

Kolstad's family has confirmed that he is in a medically-induced coma and has had part of his brain removed because it ceased to function. He also has had a tracheotomy to help with breathing.

Here's the latest from Mankato
KMSP-TV

Part of the statement from the family had these paragraphs about Kolstad's condition:

Due to the injuries Isaac sustained early last Sunday morning, his brain had severe bruising and swelling, increasing the pressure within his skull to life-threatening levels. In order to relieve the swelling, he required emergency surgery on his brain early Tuesday morning. Isaac had a significant amount of his brain tissue that was no longer viable removed during that procedure.

Even though the surgery was successful, the swelling in Isaac's brain remains significant; leaving him at high risk for further injury and potentially additional surgical procedures. Isaac's lungs also sustained severe injury, resulting in the inability to breathe on his own. He also sustained a lack of oxygen to his brain.

The HQ's thoughts and prayers are with the Kolstad's- if this is your kind of thing, a website has been set up to help pay for the family's medical expenses

Mankato Update: Philip Nelson Posts Bond, Police Looking For Additional Suspect

((HT: MyFoxTwinCities))

The larger news involving the assault of former Minnesota-Mankato LB Isaac Kolstad is that former Minnesota-now Rutgers QB Philip Nelson has made bond and can return to Rutgers University if the school wants him.

(Insert Rutgers joke here)

Paul Blume is in Mankato and details what Mankato police are looking for and looking at in this fight that lasted five or ten seconds, but will impact a few families for a lot longer
KMSP-TV

Rutgers QB Arrested In Minnesota Assault, Victim Has Brain Damage (TUESDAY UPDATE: Rutgers Dismisses Nelson)

((HT: MyFoxTwinCities))

Former Minnesota-Mankato LB Isaac Kolstad is "fighting for his life" after a weekend assault that led to the arrest of former Minnesota-now-Rutgers QB Phillip Nelson.

Kolstad was on a sidewalk in the town of Mankato when someone punched him, he hit the ground, and then he was kicked in the head by a second person. Nelson was identified by three people who witnessed the assault as one of the two who were involved and police are looking for a second person who they feel was involved in the crime as well.

Kolstad's father says his son has permanent brain damage. Kolstad has already had one surgery and will likely have more this week. Police are asking for third-degree assault charges.

Here's the latest from the Kolstad vigil Sunday night
KMSP-TV

Kolstad's father has posted an update on Kolstad's CaringBridge website:

"Isaac suffered a severe head injury early this morning. He is currently in Critical condition and fighting for his life. He is young and strong, but the battle he has in front of him is enormous. He had one surgery today to put a pressure gauge in his skull. He may need additional surgeries in the coming days. We do know that his brain did sustain permanent damage. We do not yet know to what extent and won't for many days. He is very sick. Please pray for Isaac and all of those involved."

The family also issued a statement on Sunday.

We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support we have received during this difficult time. Isaac is a very strong and determined young man, who is dearly loved by his family and friends. We would respectfully ask for your continued prayers.

We would also ask members of the news media and others to respect our request and need for privacy at this time. We have requested that no further information (beyond his medical condition) be released. Thank you for your understanding and continued thoughts and prayers for Isaac, his wife and children, and all others who are involved in this situation. - The Family of Isaac Kolstad

Here's the live report from the spot of the fight from our friends at KSTP-TV


1545 UPDATE: Nelson will be charged with 1 count of first-degree assault and 1 count of third-degree assault later today. Police looking for 2nd suspect.

TUESDAY UPDATE: Rutgers has dismissed Nelson as a result of the incident...

"The Rutgers football family's thoughts and prayers are with Isaac Kolstad and his family," Head Football coach Kyle Flood said in a statement.

Dan Duggan over at NJ.com has the details of the incident- from Mankato police reports:

Kolstad punched Nelson in the back, causing him to fall to the ground, according to a criminal complaint.

Kolstad began to move away and an unknown assailant, described as a white male in his early 20s wearing a red t-shirt and jeans, ran after him. The unknown male delivered a punch to Kolstad's head/face. Kolstad immediately went limp and collapsed to the pavement.

Nelson then pushed past others and delivered a kick to the head of a defenseless Kolstad, according to the complaint.

Dorsett, Marshall, and Joe D Diagnosed With CTE

((HT: ESPN))

Three more names in the near-year history of the NFL have now been told that they have been diagnosed with the tau protein associated with CTE.

Tony Dorsett, Leonard Marshall, and Joe DeLammielleure have had some of their brain tissue examined at UCLA Medical Center and have now been given the news...

William Weinbaum and Steve Delsohn have traced the new round of diagnoses at ESPN...

Here's the latest...


The NFL has, naturally, declined to comment. The league still says, and even moreso now with the settlement made with players in the concussion lawsuit, that you can't connect football to CTE or any other kind of brain damage...

Of course, they have...

Adam Benigni caught up with Joe D...
((HT: WGRZ-TV Buffalo))