Big Ten Network’s Corey Wootton. Photo Credit: YouTube

Former Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Corey Wootton spent six seasons in the NFL after being drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round (109th overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Wootton retired last season after registering 12 sacks and three forced fumbles in 86 career games.

A dedicated husband and family man, it was admirable that he cited his dedication to his loved ones for his ultimate retirement decision.

Now a college football analyst with the Big Ten Network, Wootton breaks down plays, interviews future football stars, which his extension to his love for football.

Wootton isn’t a stranger to the Big Ten. After all, he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors while suiting up for Northwestern University in 2008.

Corey Wooton while a member of the Chicago Bears. Photo Credit: CSN Chicago

A cemented career in-tact, Wootton often finds himself answering the same question over and over again!

What was it like to sack Brett Favre? Ain’t you tired of answering that question Wootton?

“The thing about that title is I don’t like it in a way because I feel like people are celebrating me taking him out or his last play,” Corey Wootton told Frederick Ennette on a recent appearance on the Triple Threat Podcast

For those tardy to the party: while still an NFL rookie with the Bears, Wootton sacked Favre, who would then have a concussion and later retire. It was the last time anyone sacked Favre, as he’d later retire.

“You never want to take anybody out and that was never my intention,” said Wootton. “You know in the game of football, between the lines when the whistle is blown, you have to do what you have to do. And you know, I was making a play and slammed him into the ground and unfortunately he hit his head on a really hard surface that wasn’t heated.”

If you’d like to see the hit you can click here to view it.

Added Wootton:

“It was a terrible situation to see him have a concussion on his last play, but it was definitely good to have my first sack against someone like him. A Hall of Famer, arguably one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game, but you know that’s football. Football is a brutal sport. Everybody that watches on Sundays, realizes that week in and week out there’s concussions, hits, all of it. So people know what they signed up for and you know like I said: ‘it’s just unfortunate to see someone get injured like that.’”

To be fair, tabbing Wootton as the last guy to sack Brett Favre isn’t totally fair to either party. At the time of the hit, Favre was 41 years old and had the third worst NFL quarterback rating along with 19 interceptions thrown that season. “It was one of the few times I went blank in my career,” Brett Favre said after the hit. “It was the way I swung around on the turf. I wouldn’t say it was necessarily the hit.” 

Wootton didn’t just talk Favre on the Triple Threat Podcast. He also weighed in on CTE, CTE research and the adjustments the NFL is making with the game of football. “They’re trying to make the game safer, these targeting calls, these helmet to helmet plays,” said Wootton.

“And I think it’s great because you see a lot of these former players and even current players have issues with memory and balance and different disorders. People having dementia and you know it’s unfortunate considering that as a kid you kind of know that football isn’t the best thing for you, but you think: ‘hey as long as I’m not getting any concussion, it’s no big deal.’ But now these constant hits are what’s the issue. I feel like they still have yet to understand exactly what it is, so I think you’ll definitely see some people retire early. You saw the past year especially when I retired in 2016, how many people under 30 years old were retiring and looking at their future; you know people were playing five, six years saving up their money, getting their little benefits and then moving on to the next career which I think is smart.”

Wotton examined it even a little closer to home:

“I had a teammate I played with, Kent Shaw for the Bears and he ended up playing in Tennessee as a special teamer and he just got diagnosed with ALS in 2014,” he said. “A guy who never had a documented concussion. They say you’re a third more likely to get ALS playing football, so it’s just unfortunate. But I like what they’re doing, trying to make it safer. But it’s football regardless of what you change, this and that you’re still gonna be hitting heads and bumping heads with people.”

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The post Scoop B: Former Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings & Detroit Lions Defensive Lineman Corey Wootton Talks NFL & CTE, Brett Favre & Big Ten Network appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

With Jeezy prepping to drop his sixth solo album later this year on November 13th, he decided to release the first single off the LP entitled, “God” produced by Southside and TM-88. Just like that, Jeezy season is here once again. Listen to the banger below:

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Young Jeezy is releasing his new mixtape Its Tha World, but not before releasing a new track featuring 2 Chainz. “R.I.P” is a catchy, party track that will put Jeezy’s music right back in the clubs. The DJ Mustard produced track features Jeezy stunting and swagging which he does best.

The post New Music: Young Jeezy feat. 2 Chainz – “R.I.P.” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

[blackbirdpie url=”https://twitter.com/YoungJeezy/status/256537196620808192″]

Listen to the song on Soundcloud Here

The post New Music: Young Jeezy – “Get Right” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Hip-Hop tuned in last night to see what all the fuss was about after the gossip spread this past week. Some of the rumors circulating included MMG and CTE’s brawl and 50 cent and Fat Joe finally sharing a stage together after years of rap beef.  It just wouldn’t be hip-hop if there wasn’t some chest caving, weed smoking, shit talking and lord praising all in one room. The awards were held in Atlanta, Georgia, which was fitting considering how the south has dominated the charts for the past few years.  And even so, the BET network decided  to showcase emcees that made noise independently this year while celebrating the legacy of mogul Chris Lighty. If anything, the 2012 BET Awards was the year of the underdog.

The award ceremony was a perfect setup for Lamar’s solo debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city, as it will be released on Itunes in just a couple weeks. With all his incredible work this year with his mixtape Section 80, he was crowned Best Lyricist and performed his new songs “Recipe” and  “Drank”.

The most heartfelt performance of them all was the tribute to Chris Lighty, who committed suicide just two months back. It included artists who were apart of the Violator imprint he helped built from the ground up.  A Tribe Called Quest opened up the crowd with “Award Tour”. Q-Tip and Busta Rhymes gave the most compelling performances, signaling the crowd to put their Ls up in remembrance of Lighty. Fat Joe and 50 cent performed “Lean Back” and “I Get Money” respectively, sharing the stage together in honor of their mutual friend. Missy Elliot returned from her absence igniting the crowd to her 2001 hit , “Get Your Freak On”.  Subsequently, a more seasoned group of artists showed the newer school how to really rock a crowd.

The true glory of the night belonged to Kendrick’s promising career, however his Best Lyricist award was overshadowed by the cloud of rap feuds circling the MMG, G-Unit, and CTE. All in all, rap game ain’t that messed up. Make sure to download, good kid, m.A.A.d city on October  22nd, or pre-order it here.

The post K DOT WINS BEST LYRICIST, WHILE HIP-HOP CELEBRATES LIGHTY’S LEGACY AT THE BET AWARDS appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

We all have been patiently waiting for Freddie Gibbs to drop “Baby Face Killa,” but the wait is now over. The 18 track mixtape features collaborations from Young Jeezy, Kirko Bangz, Curren$y and many more. Gibbs definitely brings it on this tape so it was definitely worth the wait. Take a listen below.

The post New Mixtape: Freddie Gibbs – <em>Baby Face Killa</em> appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Gary Indiana‘s favorite rapper is showin’ out. With Str8 Killa in stores now, Gangsta Gibbs can enjoy that doob on stage. Props to the CTE repper’s Instagram for the flick.

The post Photo Of The Day: Gangsta Gibbs appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.