Limelight
Huddle Keeping Kids Safe Playing Sports
Draft Rodeo Gaming Evolved Redefining the Superhero
Spring 2018
Letter From the Editor Dear Readers, Thank you for reading our magazine, we hope you enjoyed. Creating this magazine was one of the most fulfilling experiences of our freshman year. Throughout this semester, we learned so much about everything that happens in order to create a magazine like this one. Each of us decided that we were interested in some form of entertainment, whether it be sports, movies, or video games, so we made a magazine that could include everything that we were interested in. In the end, we came out with this magazine, Limelight. We all hope that in reading this magazine, you were provided with both entertaining and informative material about the games and movies you love. We all had so much fun working together to create this magazine, and in the end we were very proud of what we made. Once again, thank you for reading Limelight. Sincerely, The Limelight Team
Philip Metcalf is an irritable young man who runs on the LBJ cross country team, and loves his pet rat Theodore. He would like to be an auctioneer and sail the high tides on a houseboat when he grows up. His favorite movie is Sharknado 3. Tom Strandwitz was born with a full head of hair. Tom plays baseball for LBJ, and if you throw the ball down the middle, he’ll hit it to the left field seats. He would like to get a neck tattoo and his favorite movie is Trolls. Alex Steyaert has a misspelled last name, wheels on his shoes, and love in his heart. He has glasses, but he just doesn’t wear them. His favorite movie is The Emoji Movie, and loves playing Fortnite on his phone during biology class. Sam Whitlow can only count to 445,687 and he plays basketball for LBJ. He had a fidget spinner long before anyone else, and he loves to party. His favorite movie is The Theory of Everything.
Table of Contents Should I Play?
00 Huddle
By Tom Strandwitz
Safety is becoming a concern as millions of kids will sign up to play sports this year. Are we doing enough to keep them safe?
10
Draft Rodeo By Sam Whitlow
4
Which NFL Draft Prospect Are You? By Sam Whitlow
8
Gaming: Evolved By Alex Steyaert
16
History of Games
20
By Alex Steyaert
Redefining the Superhero By Philip Metcalf
Which Marvel Character are You? By Philiip Metcalf
22 26 Cover Art by Alex Steyaert
Draft Rodeo
By Sam Whitlow 4
Graphics by Sam Whitlow
I
n the months leading up to the NFL Draft, many teams were circling around, eager to get their hands on some of the top prospects. Considered one of the most iconic football schools in the state, the University of Texas often has some of their best players leave the team and embark on the road to become some of the greatest players in the NFL. 2018 is no different. Texas Football writers and experts who have been following UT football year round seem to think many Texas players have a good chance of getting drafted this year. “It’s hard to tell right now until we see what happens at the combine and the draft, but it could be a nice day, and we could have 6 or 7 guys drafted” said Daniel Davis, Texas football reporter for the AustinAmerican Statesman. “This 2018 Texas class is a bountiful crop compared to most years past. There are really talented players coming out with linebacker Malik Jefferson and offensive tackle Connor Williams leading the way” said Mike Craven, a sportswriter for the Austin-American Statesman. Texas’ highest rated player is Connor Williams, a 6-foot 6-inch, 300-pound tackle from Coppell, Texas. “Williams is a student of the game who
has the right instincts and technique to be a 10-year guy,” said Craven. Malik Jefferson was the leader of the Texas defense last year, and has enough talent to be a first round pick according to Cedric Golden, a Texas football columnist at the Austin-American Statesman. “Malik has the athleticism and character makeup to make an organization very happy,” said Golden. The final focal point of the Texas d r a f t class i s
#1 PICK Michael Dickson, the popular Australian punter. Dickson took home the Ray Guy award, which goes to the best collegiate punter in the nation every season. “Dickson has the type
5
of leg that can change momentum in a game where field position is so important,” Golden said. Texas’ method of putting great players in the NFL is no secret, as recruiting players has never been a problem.
some of the top talent in the world. “You can’t go anywhere on the planet without seeing a fan in a Longhorn ball cap. Kids in this state grow up wanting go play at Texas. That hasn’t changed,” said Cedric Golden.
You can’t go anywhere on the planet without seeing a fan in a Longhorn ball cap. Kids in this state grow up wanting go play at Texas. That hasn’t changed.
The powerful Texas brand often does most of the recruiting for them. “Texas has all the resources for a football player to go from an elite high school star to an NFL prospect. The Longhorns have a great weight room, locker room, and coaches. Playing at a program like Texas also draws in scouts because the whole roster is loaded with potential talent,” said Craven. The Texas brand has become internationally recognized as a sports powerhouse. This allows them to recruit
6
The Texas football team has high hopes for next season, after recently achieving the third best recruiting class in the nation this past offseason. “The Longhorns should be improved at both spots in 2018, giving me reason to believe Texas wins at least eight games in 2018,” said Davis. Many Texas fans are hopeful for next season, and are sure NFL teams did all they could to rope in the best longhorns on April 26.
Michael Dickson answers questions from reporters at pre-season press conference. The conference focused on the players’ expectations for the upcoming season. Photo courtesy of Big 12 Athletics.
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START
By Sam Whitlow
Laid-back
Outgoing
Cocky
8
Go outdoors Player Coach
Humble
Student of the game
Natural Player
Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
ROSEN
3
I’m just here to play
Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
Calvin Ridely, WR, Alabama RIDLEY
3
Funny Stay Inside
Serious Favorite
Minkah Fitzpatrick, CB, Alabama
29
Underdog
Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
66
BARKLEY
26
Sam Darnold, QB, USC DARNOLD
FITZPATRICK
MAYFIELD MAYFIELD
Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
CHUBB
9
14
Josh Allen, ALLEN QB, Wyoming
17
Sources: sportsillustrated.com, bleacherreport.com
9
olsen
HICKS
Shazier
88 50
58
31 darby
Beckham jr
13
Watson
4
WENTZ
11
10
JOHNSON
The Struggle to keep our kids safe in sports by Tom strandwitz
EDElman
11
Cook
33
41
Rodgers
12
WAtt
99 Graphics by Tom Strandwitz
E
ach year, millions of children in the United States embark on both the physical and mental journey of playing sports and it is usually a very positive experience for these children. Sometimes, however kids can get seriously hurt playing the game they love. Here’s a look at how safe they really are.
According to Johns Hopkins Medical, over 3.5 million injuries occur each year in youth athletics. Not all injuries sideline kids for long periods of time, but they can still have life-changing effects. Some chronic injuries may require frequent physical therapy and care and major injuries can often necessitate surgery. As dangerous as these sports can be, there are thankfully very few deaths annually. With sports protection equipment becoming more and more effective, the only way we can go is up, right? Well not necessarily. Turns out some injuries are almost impossible to prevent. “I’ve seen femur fractures,” said Dr. Mike Putney, an orthopedic surgeon that deals specifically with sports injuries at Seton Medical. “Knee dislocations are really really bad because you can actually pinch off and damage the arteries and nerves down to the rest of your feet. I’ve heard of people after
a knee dislocation actually ending up losing their leg. They have to get an amputation because whatever doctor didn’t pick up that they got arterial damage,” he said. Although, most sports injuries are not usually this bad, even professional athletes are not immune to grave injury. In 2018, football player Zach Miller, a tight end for the Chicago Bears, severed the main artery in his left knee while catching a touchdown. Had it not been for the diagnosis of the training staff onsite at the stadium, Zach Miller might very well have lost his leg. And he wasn’t the only one to get hurt. In the 2017-2018 season, quarterbacks Carson Wentz, Ryan Tannehill, and Deshaun Watson, along with running back Dalvin Cook and wide receiver Julian Edelman, tore their ACL in their knees, an injury that seems to be becoming more commonplace in the professional sports world. “Personally, I think it’s part of character building,” said Joe Cramp, athletic director of Haddon Heights High School in New Jersey. “If you tear your ACL, that’s unfortunate, but it builds character. I see kids rehabbing and getting better, getting stronger, getting ready for the next season. I think it helps you get motivated,” he said. Injuries can be devastating and may prevent some kids from wanting to play. Joe Cramp doesn’t think that fear should keep kids away from sports. “I would definitely not want my kids to not play out of fear of injury, because I think the benefits far outweigh the risk. There’s being part of a team and what you learn as far as character and time management and being able to deal with losing and winning with grace and all the other stuff you learn through sports,” Cramp said. However, kids can actually get hurt pretty badly. Athletic Trainer
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The Most Sports Football rugby hockey basketball soccer 20.19
Cheerleading 18.7
Softball 16.21
Baseball 13.67
Laccrosse Volleyball Track and Field
12
9.4 9.1
10
20
Dangerous
0
Injuries per 100,000 participants 41.21 35.75 32.68 32.3 22.12
Source: Healthgrove
30
40
13
Jaime Wilson has seen some extremely serious and life changing injuries. “The worst injury I’ve seen was in a soccer player, actually. Facial injury, fractured his orbital bone in 8 different places, concussion, and broken nose,” Wilson said. According to Stanford Children’s Health, kids are still getting hurt at about the same rate as they have been for the past 20 years. If kids are getting hurt just like they were two decades ago, is safety equipment really that effective? “I would say the protective equipment we have is very effective,” Cramp said. “Obviously, the big thing is the helmets,and the upgraded helmets. The safety of helmets has been a big issue in the past 5-7 years,” he added. Concussions are the most dangerous of sports injuries, causing almost all deaths in sports. It became a mainstream issue, especially after the release of the film “Concussion”, exposing the major problems caused by the degenerative brain disease CTE, (Chronic traumatic encephalopathy), that can cause suicidal thoughts and actions, as well as premature death. But it turns out, football equipment actually has a system to ensure players are kept as safe as possible. “Every year, football helmets and shoulder pads are reconditioned. Football helmets now have a shelf life, you can only use them for ten years. Even after ten years, if they’re in good condition, you can’t use them. I get an age rejected inventory list. I have six helmets this year that are now rejected because of their age. So, I need to buy six new helmets to replace them, and when I do that, I automatically buy a five star
14
helmet, a high rated helmet that helps prevent concussion and serious injury,” explained Cramp. The ten year shelf life rule was implemented in 2011 and aims to make sure protective equipment is truly able to keep kids safe. Not only does this system reject helmets that are too old, it puts stricter regulations on what helmets can be considered in “good condition” and can be reused. Nevertheless, millions of kids will still flock to youth programs all across the country to play the sports they love. Are they ignorant of the risk, or do they love the game that much? Joe Cramp sure seems to think playing is better than fearing: “It’s totally worth it to play sports. 100%. Yes. You can get injured walking across the street, so I think if you do things the right way, you’re coached properly, you train properly, I think the risk of injury is minimal. Obviously, there is some risk, but if you look at all youth sports across the country, the amount of kids that don’t get hurt versus the amount that do get hurt are a lot more,” he said. Many parents think their children are at the mercy of coaches to keep them safe, but Dr. Putney, Cramp, and Wilson all agree on some key principles of safety. “To keep players safe, I would say don’t specialize, play various sports,” said Wilson. “Specialization”, as it is so called, is the idea that an athlete picks one sport to play and focuses only on that sport, instead of playing both soccer and baseball, or running track and playing football. “After I said don’t play all year, kids still need to be working out, strengthening, stretching, doing all the things to be taking care of their bodies. Nutrition is a big part of it as well,” said Dr. Putney. Nutrition is essential to building strong
Kids still enjoy a good game of baseball muscle and staying fit for the next season. Photo by Tom Strandwitz Cramp agrees and has a few other suggestions. “I think that if you’re not playing another you are in shape, and you need to listen to sport, you need to continue to work out, you your coach and your athletic trainer. Most importantly, you need to listen to your body. If you are hurting, make sure you tell somebody and let the expert tell you it’s just soreness or if there’s an issue there,� Cramp said. With increasing pressure for kids to play sports as obesity rates rise, it will be interesting to see need to see if your coach has a preseason how injury treatments and safety equipment program, you need to make sure you’re doing will improve to better suit the needs that, so when it comes time for training camp, of athletes in the coming years.
It’s totally worth it to play sports. 100%. Yes.
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GAMING:
New technology is enhancing industries like education, security, and more. A fresh way of looking at the world is inspiring innovation. Virtual Reality evolved alongside gaming and worked its way through a brand new way of thinking. It has been perfected over decades of work and can adapt to a multitude of purposes.
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EVOLVED By Alex Steyaert
Graphics by Alex Steyaert
17
T
he video game industry has changed and will continue to change in new and incredible ways. Virtual reality can be used for incredible gaming experiences but it can be used for so much more. It can be hard to believe that video games have evolved from a few pixels on an oscilloscope, a tool used to express electrical currents, to games in which you can fight the whole world and immerse yourself in the game. Color has been added, bringing what was once a bland screen of idle black pixels to awe-inducing technicolor and lights that bring the game to life, and make them more interesting to play. The ever-growing nature
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of the video game world caters to all generations and all interests. The gaming industry can be experienced by anyone with a phone or computer. This vast market has brought a new rise of technology to the world, and some of this tech has spread to new places. Games have always drawn people towards them, and is becoming one of the largest markets in the world. Video games have helped to motivate and inspire millions of people across the world, according to Kari Burke, who specializes in VR at Originator Studios in Austin. “[Games will] continue becoming more immersive and lifelike, and continue integrating with mainstream media,� Burke said.
One advancement in the world of games is the VR headset, invented by Ivan Sutherland in 1968. This technology has revolutionized the community of video games, allowing the players to enter the video game and become their favorite character. For the first time, the impossible seems possible. Patrick Curry, CEO of Farbridge VR, said he’s been interested in VR for years. “When I first got to try some virtual reality in the early 90s, even though
that could use VR and benefit from it, whether its training and education, and anything that has an element of danger to it, like learning to be a firefighter, or first responder, or surgeon. Virtual reality is a great place to practice, and experiment, and learn the skills, without actually having to run into a burning building.� The applications that VR could have are endless. It could help people, learn, work, or just have fun.
There's any number of industries that could use VR and benefit from it, whether its training and education, and anything that has an element of danger to it, like learning to be a firefighter, or first responder, or surgeon. Virtual reality is a great place to practice, and experiment, and learn the skills, without actually having to run into a burning building.
it wasn’t great, it was still super impressive to me and I knew I wanted to keep messing with it,� Curry said. Farbridge has used VR in a way separate from video games and wants to find new ways to implement the technology for progressive purposes. Farbridge created a program called MasterWorks, an interactive, virtual field trip to different places in the world that would be difficult or inconvenient to visit in reality. Curry has more ideas for VR, and believes that it could benefit many people. “There’s any number of industries
Video games have been a staple in pop culture since the arcade era and have remained in their position without wavering. Video games are a way to connect with new people, bond with friends, learn about life, and practice coordination skills. These games can be accessed by anyone now in the Renaissance of technology. Everybody with access to a phone has access to the plethora of video games perfectly suited for them. Anyone can game, and soon enough, everyone will.
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The History of By Alex Steyaert
1968
1980
First VR Headset
Pac-man Pacman is intoduced by Atari and becomes one of the most popular arcade games of all time
Ivan Sutherland invents the first head mounted display for an immersive reality simulation with help from Bob Sproull.
B
B
1958
1977
First Video Game
Atari 2600 The Atari 2600 is released by Atari and becomes one of the earliest home video game consoles.
William Higinbotham invents the first video game. This game was similar to the game Pong. B
20
A
A
B
A
A
f Video Games 1996
2017
Nintendo 64
Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo 64 game console is released by Nintendo, and has a huge impact on the gaming world.
The Nintendo Switch is released and revolutionised the display system, capable of playing on a TV or on its independant screen.
Ninetendo
START
NINETENDO
B
C
A
64
B
A
B
1989
2006
First Handheld Game System
Nintendo Wii
A
The Wii is released by Nintendo, and introduced the motion sensing aspect of modern video games.
The first Handheld game system with a multicolor display, the Lynx, is released by Atari. The Gameboy by Nintendo was released the same year.
POWER
LYNX
A HOME
1 2
B
A
Wii
B
A
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Redefining The Superhero By Philip Metcalf
Photo by Brian Stelfreeze
22
Courtesy of Marvel Comics Graphics by Philip Metcalf
S
ince it’s beginning, the his identity appeals to comic book Marvel Cinematic Universe readers. has been dominated by white “My parents were immigrants superheroes, while people from Haiti, and I loved those of diverse backgrounds have been storylines where it was [T’Challa] portrayed mostly as partners. Black being torn between two cultures and Panther broke this barrier with two worlds,� Narcisse said. “I knew the highest grossing superhero what that felt like, and I liked that I movie ever made. He was not only a could see that in a character on the superhero, but a symbol of possibility comic book page�. and hope. “Black Panther� follows the story The Black Panther made his of T’Challa, the new king of the fictional cinematic debut in 2016’s “Captain African country Wakanda following America: Civil the recent War,� and was death of his an instant father. To the “My parents were immigrants from fan favorite. outside world, Haiti, and I loved those storylines February 16, W a k a n d a where it was [T’Challa] being torn 2018 finally seems to be between two cultures and two worlds,� presented a poor third Narcisse said. “I knew what that felt fans with the world country, like, and I liked that I could see that in movie they but is actually a character on the comic book page�. had been the most " anticipating, technologically " and also advanced marked an country in important day the world. for the Marvel Cinematic Universe T’Challa must face the challenge of (MCU). Black Panther appeals to governing and protecting his society people of all walks of life, and besides by becoming the Black Panther. increasing diversity in the MCU, However, this movie is much T’Challa also struggles to find his more than the average superhero identity between an African king, and movie. It features an incredibly a superhero. diverse cast, and the character of Evan Narcisse, Austinite and Black Panther serves as a symbol writer of “Rise of the Black Panther� of unity and possibility for people of for Marvel Comics explained the all walks of life. “Black Panther� was importance of the character of one of the most groundbreaking T’Challa, not only because of his Marvel movie to date, and will African descent, but also in the way hopefully lead to future movies
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Black Panther prepares to pounch on his prey. Marvel Studio’s “Black Panther” movie has made over $1 billion in theaters worldwide. Photo courtesy of Marvel Comics.
“Black Panther” is a big step in the right direction for Marvel. Hopefully, the vast success of this movie will launch Marvel into a new a g e of diversity and variety, which probably should have already happened. “I think that Black Panther should have happened earlier, but we’re getting there now, so I’m glad it’s happening,” said Ty Denton, an employee from Austin Books and Comics. This movie has been praised because of its cast nearly entirely filled with actors of African ancestry. In addition to this, the movie focuses on several strong female
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characters as well. T’Challa and his kingdom are protected by the Dora Milaje, the group of female bodyguards that constantly keep watch over T’Challa. T’Challa’s sister, Shuri, is also being made out as one of the smartest people in the entire MCU. “While T’challa is male, he has always been defined by the strong women in his life and for the movie to latch onto that and make them primary characters is so cool,” said Max Sisco, an employee from Austin comic book store Dragon’s Lair. The character of T’Challa is the king and protector of the most advanced society in the world, but even beyond that, he is a symbol.
Evan Narcisse signs his “Rise of Black Panther” comic book at an Austin comic book store, Dragons Lair. The event was put on by NexCrew in anticipation of the release of “Black Panther.” Photo courtesy of NexCrew.
“I think that Black Panther represents nobility and history and possibility,” Narcisse said. “So, I think Black Panther represents all the potential that people from African diasporan cultures hold within them when they are allowed to work to their full potential.” The Black Panther has become a symbol of possibility, a king of an African society no longer portrayed as stereotypically poor and beyond hope, as well as a character able to bring the public together through the
enjoyment of a good film. However, what cannot be forgotten, is that T’Challa is still a badass, crime fighting, superhero, among the smartest, and most powerful in the Marvel universe. Narcisse even went as far as to say that Black Panther would win in a fight between all of the Avengers. “With enough time to plan, he could take everyone out,” Narcisse said. “I’m obviously biased, but I’m still gonna give it to T’Challa.”
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Which Marvel Character Are You?
How Would Your Friends Describe You?
By Philip Metcalf
Serious
What’s The Most Important Quality? Strength
Intelligence
1
If You Lose Your Weapon, Do You Lose The Fight? Yeah, Probably 3
26
Ah Heck Nah, Dude!
Funny
What’s The Most Important Quality? Intelligence
Strength 2
Would You Rather? Get no money, but keep your hearing? Get 1 million Dollars, but lose your hearing?
4
The Fight Never Really Ends, You Are Constantly Haunted By The Ghosts Of Your Past SHWARMA!!!
What Do You Do After The Fight Ends?
Mysteriously Dissappear
5
7 6
27
1
Thor
2 3
Star Lord
4 5
BlackPanther
Hulk Captain America
Black Widow
6
7
28
IRON MAN
Entertainment
Fortnite Star Wars Draft Black Panther Superhero Football
Injury Video Games Virtual Reality Marvel Safety Rodeo