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WASHINGTON -- House Republicans on Thursday called for an independent review of allegations that the National Football League sought to improperly influence a government study into the link between football and brain disease.In a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services inspector general, GOP leaders of the Energy and Commerce Committee said that a thorough assessment is needed to ensure the integrity of the process for awarding research grants.The committees top Democrat said in May the NFL tried to strong-arm the National Institutes of Health into taking the project away from a prominent researcher that the league believed was biased.But the committees chairman, Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan, and other GOP members of panel said they dont have all the facts needed to reach conclusions. All the attention generated by claims the NFL tried to sway the study have tarnished the reputations of leading researchers into traumatic brain injuries and other medical experts, they said in the 21-page letter to the departments inspector general, Daniel Levinson.The lawmakers also said that based on the information they have, the institutes may have contributed to the breakdown of the structures and processes that exist to preserve the integrity of NIH research.The NFL said in a statement that it looks forward to cooperating with the inspector general. The NFL has never wavered in its commitment to advance the science and understanding of concussions and traumatic brain injuries, the league said.Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., initiated an investigation after ESPN reported in December that the league had agreed to donate $30 million to the NIH to fund brain research. But the league backed out after the institutes went ahead with a $16 million grant to Boston University researcher Robert Stern, according to the sports networks report.Stern is a leading expert on the link between football and brain diseases such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy. He also filed a declaration opposing a settlement between the NFL and former players, fearing that deserving players would not be compensated.The NFLs critics say the league has downplayed the link between football and brain damage, alleging that an NFL committee on brain injury had ignored or minimized the link between repetitive head trauma and brain damage.Pallone said his probe confirmed the NFL inappropriately attempted to use its unrestricted gift as leverage to steer funding away from one of its critics, Pallone said.The NFL denied Pallones findings. The league at the time acknowledged it had raised concerns about the study and a potential conflict of interest involving Stern, but said it had communicated those concerns through appropriate channels.The league said in the statement Thursday that its $30 million commitment was never in doubt and said its unfortunate that the allegations have distracted attention from the broader goal of further traumatic brain injury science.Upton and other Republicans said if the NFL acted inappropriately, then NIH not only failed to identify and address this behavior, but rather encouraged ongoing discussion, thus creating a perception that the league had input on the use of (research) funds.There is little evidence to suggest, Upton and his colleagues wrote, that anyone affiliated with the NFL advocated on behalf of a specific research team or grant proposal.---Follow Richard Lardner on Twitter: http://twitter.com/rplardner Air Max 2018 Outlet . 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Aside from the trilogy main event title fight, there are a number of intriguing matchups in the heavyweight, welterweight and lightweight divisions. Wholesale Air Max 2018 . Aside from the trilogy main event title fight, there are a number of intriguing matchups in the heavyweight, welterweight and lightweight divisions. EVANSTON, Ill. -- Bryant McIntosh sees the progress.The star point guard endured a losing season as a freshman and was a big reason why Northwestern set a school regular-season record with 20 wins a year ago.Now as he enters his junior season, McIntosh sees no reason why the Wildcats cant continue their climb.The experiences that Ive gone through the past two years, it keeps telling me its our time, its my time, McIntosh said.The Wildcats are counting on McIntosh to help them continue the progress they have made under coach Chris Collins and maybe -- at long last -- lead them to their first NCAA Tournament. Northwestern went 20-12 overall and 8-10 in conference play to finish ninth in the Big Ten a year ago.In McIntosh , the Wildcats boast one of the Big Tens top point guards.He set a school record with 213 assists and ranked second in the Big Ten -- ninth nationally -- at 6.7 per game last season. McIntosh is also the teams top returning scorer after averaging 13.8 points.I wouldnt trade Bryant for any other guard in college basketball, Collins said. I love the kid. Hes been with me since day one. He committed to us and has been there, and weve given him the ball as a freshman. Hes done nothing but get better and better every year.Here are some things to look for from the Wildcats:STEADY PROGRESSNorthwestern appears to be headed in the right direction, going from 14-19 to 15-17 to 20-12 in Collins three seasons. But the question remains. Can Northwestern, the host of the first Final Four in 1939 -- reach the NCAA tourney?I think you cant let your mind wander to March, Collins said. I think you have to understand the games in November and December are just as important as the ones in late February and early March.ddddddddddddCollins thought the Wildcats were in good position to challenge the NCAA drought last year. Losing forward Vic Law for the season to a shoulder injury and center Alex Olah (foot) missing time damaged their chances.PARDON HIMNorthwestern planned to redshirt center Dererk Pardon as a freshman last season. Olahs injury changed that.Pardon wound up averaging 6.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in 20 games. Now that Olah is gone, Northwestern is counting on bigger things from him.I think hes ready to take that role on. Alex Olah has been such a constant in our program the last four years, three with me, Collins said.LAW RETURNSNorthwesterns NCAA hopes in some ways hinge on Law.The 6-foot-7 forward brings the athleticism and all-around game that could go a long way toward determining how far the Wildcats go. A highly touted recruit, Law averaged 7 points, 4.8 rebounds and shot 35.5 percent on 3-pointers as freshman in 2014-15.TWO TIMENorthwestern needs to find a scoring threat to pair with McIntosh in the backcourt, now that last years leading scorer Tre Demps is gone. That could be up to junior Scottie Lindsey, who shot just under 41 percent on 3-pointers last season. Law might also be a possibility.OVERHAUL COMINGSay goodbye to Welsh-Ryan Arena for a while.The 63-year-old facility is in for a $110 million renovation after this season, with chair-back seats replacing wooden bleachers, premium seating, wider concourses and updated audio and video systems. While the arena gets a makeover, the Wildcats will play home games during the 2017-18 season at Allstate Arena in Rosemont. ' ' '