Accessibility links
All Things Considered for January 31, 2014 Hear the All Things Considered program for January 31, 2014

All Things Considered

Sidelined By Brain Injury, Ex-NFL Player Copes With 'Desperation'

Sean Morey, then with the Arizona Cardinals, celebrates after blocking a punt against the Seattle Seahawks in 2007. Morey, who suffers from post-concussion syndrome, retired from the NFL in 2010 on the advice of doctors. Stephen Dunn/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Health

Sidelined By Brain Injury, Ex-NFL Player Copes With 'Desperation'

During his 10-year career, Sean Morey absorbed countless hits, more than a few of which resulted in concussions. "Every time I hit somebody it was like getting tasered," he says. Now, he suffers from lingering conditions, like debilitating headaches, and is an advocate for players' health.

Sidelined By Brain Injury, Ex-NFL Player Copes With 'Desperation'

Sean Morey, then with the Arizona Cardinals, celebrates after blocking a punt against the Seattle Seahawks in 2007. Morey, who suffers from post-concussion syndrome, retired from the NFL in 2010 on the advice of doctors. Stephen Dunn/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Health

Sidelined By Brain Injury, Ex-NFL Player Copes With 'Desperation'

Sidelined By Brain Injury, Ex-NFL Player Copes With 'Desperation'

Listen · 12:50
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/269422083/269529730" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
'Still Turning Heads' At Lunar New Year, An All-Female Lion Dance Troupe

Gund Kwok troupe member Heang Ly takes a break next to her lion costume during a rehearsal in Boston's Chinatown. Hansi Lo Wang/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Hansi Lo Wang/NPR

Code Switch

'Still Turning Heads' At Lunar New Year, An All-Female Lion Dance Troupe

'Still Turning Heads' At Lunar New Year, An All-Female Lion Dance Troupe

Listen · 3:54
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/268368765/269529736" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Celebration Is In The Air. Or Is That Just Snow?

Performers get ready before the start of a Chinese New Year parade in Hong Kong on Jan. 31. Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images

This Week's Must Read

Celebration Is In The Air. Or Is That Just Snow?

by Lev Grossman , Patty Chang Anker

Celebration Is In The Air. Or Is That Just Snow?

Listen · 2:04
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/269464735/269546129" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
After 3-Day Retreat, GOP Battle Plan Still Only An Outline

Speaker of the House John Boehner (right) speaks during the leadership press conference at the House Republican Issues Conference in Cambridge, Md., on Thursday. Friday's press conference, on the last day of the retreat, was canceled. JIm Watson /AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
JIm Watson /AFP/Getty Images

It's All Politics

After 3-Day Retreat, GOP Battle Plan Still Only An Outline

After 3-Day Retreat, GOP Battle Plan Still Only An Outline

Listen · 3:58
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/269508298/269529742" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
After Overcoming Early Obstacles, Yellen Assumes Fed's Top Job

Janet Yellen smiles as President Obama announces her nomination for Federal Reserve chairwoman on Oct. 9. Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images

Economy

After Overcoming Early Obstacles, Yellen Assumes Fed's Top Job

After Overcoming Early Obstacles, Yellen Assumes Fed's Top Job

Listen · 4:39
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/269496733/269529748" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
State Dept. Delivers Unwelcome News For Keystone Opponents

A protest of the Keystone XL pipeline last March along its proposed route near Bradshaw, Nebraska. NH/AP hide caption

toggle caption
NH/AP

Energy

State Dept. Delivers Unwelcome News For Keystone Opponents

State Dept. Delivers Unwelcome News For Keystone Opponents

Listen · 2:38
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/269529696/269529697" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
More Republicans Push For Fixing, Not Repealing, Obamacare

Linda Door protested outside the U.S. Supreme Court as it began hearing arguments on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act in March 2012. Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Carolyn Kaster/AP

Shots - Health News

More Republicans Push For Fixing, Not Repealing, Obamacare

by Eric Whitney

More Republicans Push For Fixing, Not Repealing, Obamacare

Listen · 3:38
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/269433141/269529754" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
At Home, With Mom And Her Murderous Beau

Depressed single mother Adele (Kate Winslet) and her son, Henry (Gattlin Griffith), give the wounded and desperate Frank (Josh Brolin) a ride, only to realize that Frank is an escaped convict being hunted by local police. Dale Robinette/Paramount Pictures and Indian Paintbrush hide caption

toggle caption
Dale Robinette/Paramount Pictures and Indian Paintbrush

Movie Reviews

At Home, With Mom And Her Murderous Beau

At Home, With Mom And Her Murderous Beau

Listen · 3:37
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/267774902/269529724" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Searching for a song you heard between stories? We've retired music buttons on these pages. Learn more here.

All Things Considered

Browse archive or search npr.org