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By Sports Capital Journalism Program Staff | @SportsCapJour The New York Times’ Scott Cacciola on how Pacers star Paul George became the player he is: by losing to his sister for eight years. David Wharton, of the LA Times, explores the on-going debate of whether or not synthetic playing surfaces are hazardous to athletes’ health. …

Nearly a month has passed since the death of former Texas Rangers owner Rusty Rose, who lost a decades-long battle against clinical depression. While the tragic nature of his death was addressed beautifully at his funeral by senior minister Paul Rasmussen of Highland Park United Methodist Church and in a subsequent piece by Dallas Morning …

By Alaa Abdeldaiem | @Abdeldaiem_Alaa Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS — “Unreal.” Jason Fanaika sat at the center of the table in Lucas Oil Stadium, fielding each question reporters threw his way. The former Utah defensive tackle had much on his mind: his National Football League Scouting Combine weigh in earlier in the morning, his …

By Kim Dunlap | @kimjdunlap Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS—National Football League players have been known to use their platforms to spread awareness about social issues. This week, at the NFL Scouting Combine, it has happened at least twice. Ezekiel Elliott of Ohio State and Vernon Hargreaves of Florida have used their high-profile college careers …

By Kim Dunlap | @kimjdunlap Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS–When David Morgan II was recruited to join the University of Texas at San Antonio football team in 2011, the team had never played a game. The possibility of football at UTSA didn’t even become a reality until 2009, and the following two years were spent …

Written by Frank Gogola | @FrankGogola Video by Zach Wagner | @zachwagner22 Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS – Bill Polian can still draw a crowd in Indianapolis. Even when he’s not speaking about who should be the No. 1 pick in the draft or who the Colts should take. Polian and Mark Dominik, ESPN NFL …

By Alaa Abdeldaiem | @Abdeldaiem_Alaa Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS — He describes himself as an on-field monster. At 6-feet, 4-inches and 312 pounds, former Stanford Cardinal guard Joshua Garnett has the size of one, too. A powerful frame and upper body strength help Garnett bury his opponents. His strong base and impressive hip torque …

By Frank Gogola | @FrankGogola Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS – Jim Thomas has been coming to Indianapolis to cover the National Football League Scouting Combine since 1991. Like his first few years at the Combine, he does not have a specific team to cover this week. That’s because Thomas was the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s …

By Alaa Abdeldaiem | @Abdeldaiem_Alaa Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS — If someone had said Christian Hackenberg’s draft stock would be in question three years ago, many would have scoffed. The quarterback from Penn State had just completed his freshman season, finishing with a 58.9 completion percentage, 2,955 yards and 20 touchdown passes. He was …

By Alaa Abdeldaiem | @Abdeldaiem_Alaa Sports Capital Journalism Program INDIANAPOLIS — There was a moment in Connor McGovern’s mind when the three-year starting offensive lineman from Missouri thought he wouldn’t be ready for this week’s National Football League Scouting Combine. It was the first day of drills preparing for a Senior Bowl experience late last …