49ers’ Kyle Shanahan isn’t ready to talk about 2025 season yet
One day, when actor and comedian Rosie O'Donnell was in her 50s, her body ached and her arms felt sore, but she pushed through the pain, not realizing she was having a massive heart attack. She had surgery to put in a stent that saved her life. Shortly after her 2012 heart attack, O'Donnell shared her experience on her blog. During her 2015 television standup special, she spoke about how the experience changed her life. The segment included a heart attack acronym the comedian coined: HEPPP (hot, exhausted, pain, pale, puke). O'Donnell's candidness about her heart attack helped spread awareness about how it can present differently in women. She's one of countless celebrities over the years who have opened up about their health conditions, including breast cancer, HIV, depression, heart disease and stroke. When celebrities reveal and discuss their health issues, the impact can be far-reaching. It not only helps to educate the public, but it also can reduce stigma and inspire others. People are also reading... "Health disclosures by celebrities do matter, and we know this from decades of research across a lot of different health conditions and public figures," said Dr. Jessica Gall Myrick, a professor of health communication at Pennsylvania State University in University Park. "They absolutely do influence people." Some of the earliest celebrity health disclosures happened in the 1970s and 1980s with U.S. presidents and first ladies. When first lady Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer just weeks after Gerald Ford became president in 1974, she spoke openly about her diagnosis, inviting photographers into the White House and helping make talk of cancer less taboo. In 1987, first lady Nancy Reagan used her breast cancer diagnosis as a chance to advocate for women to get mammograms. Her disclosure came two years after President Ronald Reagan's colon cancer diagnosis, about which the couple was equally as vocal. "Individuals throughout the country have been calling cancer physicians and information services in record numbers," the Los Angeles Times reported after Nancy Reagan's widely publicized surgery. The public showed a similar interest years earlier following Betty Ford's mastectomy. Another major milestone in celebrity health disclosures came in 1991, when 32-year-old NBA superstar Earvin "Magic" Johnson revealed he had tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. "Life is going to go on for me, and I'm going to be a happy man," Johnson assured fans during a news conference. He immediately retired, only to return to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996. His disclosure, along with his work as an advocate for safe sex, helped shatter stigmas around HIV and AIDS. Calls to testing centers increased significantly in the days and weeks after Johnson's announcement. "That celebrity disclosure really helped people see there was a wider susceptibly to HIV," Gall Myrick said. "People were more likely to say, 'I need to think about my own risks.' It was very powerful." When it comes to heart and stroke health, President Dwight Eisenhower helped make heart attacks less frightening and mysterious. During a news conference in 1955, millions of Americans learned from the president's doctors about his heart condition, his treatment, and concrete steps they could take to reduce their own heart attack risk. Other notable figures have shared their health experiences over the years. Soap opera legend Susan Lucci , who was diagnosed with heart disease in 2018, has advocated for women's heart health. Basketball great Kareem Abdul Jabbar talks about his irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation, and advocates for regular health screenings. Lawyer, author and television personality Star Jones continues to speak about heart disease risk after having lifesaving heart surgery in 2010. Longtime TV and radio personality Dick Clark brought stroke and aphasia into the national spotlight when he returned to hosting "New Year's Rockin' Eve" in Times Square just a year after his 2004 stroke and continued until his death in 2012. And actor and comedian Jamie Foxx recently revealed he had a stroke last year. "Celebrity disclosures represent teachable moments," said Dr. Seth M. Noar, director of the Communicating for Health Impact Lab at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. "Searches for different health conditions often spike in the wake of these types of announcements. They cause people to think about these health issues, learn more about them, and in some cases change their behaviors." Celebrities have also highlighted the importance of CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator, or AED, to restore a person's heartbeat if they experience cardiac arrest. Interest in CPR and AEDs spiked in 2023 after Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during an NFL game broadcast on national TV. Views of the American Heart Association's hands-only CPR pages jumped more than 600% in the days following Hamlin's cardiac arrest. Three months later, around 3 million people had watched the AHA's CPR video. Family members of celebrities who have died from a heart issue have also spread awareness. After actor John Ritter died of an undiagnosed aortic dissection in 2003, his wife, actor Amy Yasbeck, started the Ritter Foundation to raise awareness about the condition and help others avoid a misdiagnosis. A literature review published in Systematic Reviews in 2017 found that people are conditioned to react positively to celebrity advice. Research also has found that people often follow advice from celebrities who match how they perceive – or how they want to perceive – themselves. The most effective celebrity disclosures are frequently the ones that tell a compelling story and include clear steps people can take to apply lessons the celebrity learned to their own health situation, Gall Myrick said. "People are more likely to take action when they feel confident and capable." Research has shown that celebrity disclosures often impact calls to hotlines and page views on health-related websites, and they can spark behavioral and even policy changes. Anecdotally, Gall Myrick said, people ask their doctor more questions about health conditions and request medical screenings. Celebrities can have a big impact because people tend to have parasocial relationships with them, Gall Myrick said. These are one-sided relationships in which a person feels an emotional connection with another person, often a celebrity. People may feel as if they know the basketball player they've watched on the court for years, or the Hollywood actor they've followed, she said. They want to comfort them after a health disclosure. Social media has only increased this feeling of familiarity, as celebrities regularly share mundane – but fascinating – details of their daily lives, like what they eat for breakfast, their favorite socks, or the meditation they do before bed. "We spend a lifetime being exposed to celebrities through the media, and over time, you get to know these public figures," Gall Myrick said. "Some feel like friendships." A study published in the journal Science Communication in 2020 compared reactions to actor Tom Hanks, who had COVID-19 early in the pandemic, and an average person with COVID-19. Researchers found that participants identified more with Hanks when it came to estimating their own susceptibility to COVID-19. The participants also felt more emotional about the virus that causes COVID-19 when thinking about it in relation to Hanks versus an average person. When a celebrity reveals a health condition, it's a surprise that may feel personal, especially if they are well-liked and the health issue is dramatic and sudden. "We feel like we know them, and the emotional response is what can then push people out of their routine," Gall Myrick said. Noar said a celebrity health story is often a more interesting and powerful way to learn about a health condition than just the facts, which can feel overwhelming. People are drawn to the slew of media coverage that typically follows a celebrity disclosure, he said. "Some of these high-visibility public figures' stories are now woven into some of these illnesses," Noar said. For example, Angelina Jolie is often linked to the BRCA1 gene mutation after the actor shared she had a preventive double mastectomy because of her elevated breast cancer risk and had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed because of her increased risk for ovarian cancer. "It's a narrative, a story that humanizes the condition in a way that very informational communication really doesn't," Noar said. "People remember it, and it can potentially be a touch point." After a disclosure, patients may bring up a celebrity's story during a doctor's appointment and connect it to their own care. Today's multiplatform digital culture only amplifies celebrity messages. "You're seeing everyday people react to these events, and that can have a ripple effect too," Gall Myrick said. "We know from research that seeing messages more than once can be impactful. Often it's not just one billboard or one commercial that impacts behavior; it's the drip drip drip over time." Still, there's a cautionary tale to be told around the impact of celebrity health news, especially if the celebrity has died. An unclear cause of death may lead to speculation. Gall Myrick said that guesswork could potentially end up hurting rather than helping if patients were to act on misinformation or a lack of information. "Maybe the death was atypical or it needs more context," she said. "That's where advocacy groups and public health organizations come in. They need to be prepared for announcements or disclosures about celebrity deaths, and to fill in some of those gaps." American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week!
Simmons shot 7 for 13 (2 for 5 from 3-point range) and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line for the Runnin' Bulldogs (3-3). Pharell Boyogueno scored 15 points while going 6 of 13 (3 for 7 from 3-point range) and added seven rebounds and four steals. Anthony Selden shot 6 of 10 from the field and 3 of 6 from the free-throw line to finish with 15 points. Jeremy Elyzee led the Lions (2-4) in scoring, finishing with 22 points, three steals and two blocks. Sam Hines Jr. added 12 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals. Jakevion Buckley finished with 11 points, four assists and three steals. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Ashland rings opening bell at NYSE recognizes 100-year anniversary
Himachal Pradesh Government To Remove Gutkha, Liquor Ads From State Buses
(The Center Square) – Of the many costly security missteps uncovered at the rally site in Butler, Pa. where a would-be assassin nearly killed Donald Trump, one deterrent may have been relatively affordable. Rep. Pat Fallon said the U.S. Secret Service could have fashioned a rudimentary fence made of caution tape, signs, posts and stakes around the AGR building on July 13 for roughly $410. The agency’s decision to unman the outside of the building and exclude it from an overall security perimeter around the Butler Farm Show Grounds that day has drawn much criticism from lawmakers on the task force assembled to investigate both attempts on Trump’s life, the second occurring at a Mar-a-Lago golf course in September. During a heated seven-minute exchange with Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe Jr., the Republican congressman from Texas said the agency’s $2 billion funding increase seemed far in excess of what it would have cost to have functioning drones, more coordinated radio communications, agents on a nearby water tower and security deterrents available in Butler. “What sticks in our craw is when we report to our constituents, we have to say, ‘Hey, this federal agency failed epically, and then they wanted to almost double their budget,’” Fallon said. The conversation devolved into a shouting match after Fallon then accused Rowe of showing up at a 9/11 memorial ceremony in New York City for political purposes only.
ABIC Chair On Challenges, Business & MoreBy now, everyone knows about Jada Williams’ grit. The sophomore will go head-to-head with anyone on the court – even if they are nearly a foot taller than her 5-8 inch frame. Nothing and no one scares her on the court. That’s a fact. We’ve seen her leap up to grab a rebound against the trees, go after a 50/50 ball with abandon, take a charge no matter who is coming directly at her – and each time bounces back up and claps. Williams is always ready to go. That’s why when she rolled her ankle and was down on the far end of the court against GCU in the fourth quarter Thursday with a little more than seven minutes left in the game, and took a beat, everyone in McKale Center collectively held their breath. It was even more nerve-wracking when UA performance coach Chris Allen picked up Williams and carried her into the locker room so UA trainer Bart Jameson could work on that right ankle. However, for Williams, it was all part of the game. She wasn’t worried at all and just wanted to get back on the court and do what she does best to help her teammates. Arizona Wildcats guard Jada Williams (2) gets pumped after drawing a foul off of a UT Arlington player in the first half during a game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 4, 2024. “My end goal is I’ll deal with it later, like the last five minutes of the game, it’s five minutes. I can do anything for five minutes,” Williams said. “I can play for my team for five minutes. That’s my thought process.” As Arizona (7-4) hosts CSU Bakersfield (0-8) Tuesday, her teammates will once again rely on their point guard to run the offense and just about everything else. Williams did come back for the last five minutes and change, that’s exactly what she told Jameson and Allen. Basically, “Tape me up, there’s a lot I can do in five minutes.” That play was typical Williams. She was boxing out on a free throw and her opponent fell over her. Williams said it was a normal old ankle sprain. Williams spent the summer working on her ankle strength. Part of this is connected to a nagging right Achilles – which she called tendonitis from last season. There are many games when Williams comes off the court just to get re-tapped by Jameson. Part of this is finding the right tape job to support her ankle, but not bother her Achilles. It’s a balancing act. Tarleton State forward Alani Fluker (23) crashes down on Arizona guard Jada Williams (2) after getting beat on the race to the loose ball in the third quarter of their game, Tucson, Ariz., Nov. 7, 2024. “I’m just trying to do different tape jobs to where my Achilles doesn’t get swollen, basically,” Williams said. “Right now, I’m just taking the chance of rolling an ankle and not having Achilles pain 99% of the time. I take that chance of rolling an ankle, and I know that. (I’m) just going in getting re-taped (as) it just keeps my ankle still, I guess, and prevents that.” Just like most basketball players, once the season starts, they just figure out a way to play with the little nagging things. This includes Williams’ teammate Paulina Paris, who shared that it’s taking longer to heal her broken nose because the games and practices just keep coming. Paris is not alone as Sue Bird, former WNBA player – and former teammate of Adia Barnes on the 2004 Seattle Storm Championship squad – played with a mask multiple times during her career after breaking her nose. Rafael Nadal may be one of the most noticeable athletes who played with foot tendonitis. He adapted how he played and even utilized different recovery and training methods to help. Many athletes don’t talk about what ails them, but just as Williams is the communicator on the court, she is off the court, as well. Arizona guard Jada Williams (2) gets in a foot race to the ball with UNLV guard Kiara Jackson (3) late in their game, Tucson, Ariz., Nov. 12, 2024. For Williams, she does a lot to get ready to play a game, practice and for recovery. All for the love of the game, as well as her teammates and coaches. “I do toe yoga, things like that, just trying to strengthen my feet, strengthen the muscles, the bones around my feet, so that’s something I always work on,” Williams said. “I’m in the training room every single day for a couple hours just trying to take care of my body. I do play a lot of minutes. So cold tubs, cryotherapy, I’m living in there every single day.” Cryotherapy is known to reduce swelling, pain and increase circulation to, in Williams’ case, her entire foot. Williams also has a routine after the game. She admits that on Friday morning her right ankle was swollen, “but I’ve got a good support system.” “I have a little puppy at home (Deuce), so I get to go home to him and kind of forget about basketball for a little bit,” Williams said. “I go home, decompress, I try not to think about the game. Sometimes I’ll come in here (McKale) and shoot. If I miss a lot of free throws or something like that, I’ll come in and get shots up. But injury wise, just go home, decompress and then watch the film the next day.” Arizona Wildcats guard Jada Williams (2) sinks the ball in the net during the match against GCU at the McKale Center, Dec. 5, 2024. Williams has adjusted to all of it – the taping and the re-taping, the different types of recovery and even not putting in a ton of extra reps. While she said the tendonitis hasn’t affected her shot – and if you look at her feet when she shoots a free throw, takes a 3, a jumper or even a layup, nothing has changed – she is putting up fewer of those extra shots outside of practice like she did in the offseason. During that time, she was hitting 45% or so of her attempts in practice. Williams said her goal is just to be on the court, “because my leadership carries over, and my leadership being out there, even if I’m not scoring, I know I got heart on defense, and I talk a lot and things like that. Just help my teammate any way I can.” On those charges, Williams just shrugs and says that she’s been taking charges since she was in fourth or fifth grade and just knows how to do it and knows whatever hurts “don’t fall like that again.” “That’s my heart, my mental toughness,” Williams said. “I’ll sacrifice my body if that’s what I have to do. That’s just something that I’ve always done, no matter if it’s a board game, anything like that. I’m just competitive. So that’s what I got to do to win, I’ll do it.” Contact sports reporter PJ Brown at pjbrown@tucson.com . On X(Twitter): @PJBrown09 Who: Arizona Wildcats (7-4) vs. CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners (0-8) When: 6 p.m. Where: McKale Center Watch: ESPN+ Listen: 1400-AM Respond: Write a letter to the editor | Write a guest opinion Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Reporter