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Cricketer Phillip Hughes celebrates a score in 2011. Hughes was wearing a helmet this week when a ball struck him on the neck and killed him.

Cricketer Phillip Hughes celebrates a score in 2011. Hughes was wearing a helmet this week when a ball struck him on the neck and killed him. Eranga Jayawardena/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Eranga Jayawardena/AP

Simon Says

Helmets Aren't Always Enough To Keep Players Safe

Cricketer Phillip Hughes was wearing a helmet this week when a ball struck and killed him. NPR's Scott Simon wonders if some safety measures also encourage people to take on more risk.

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Franklin Gilliard and his wife Sherry live in transitional housing, and they hold a circle of thanks at dinner to remember what they have.

Franklin Gilliard and his wife Sherry live in transitional housing, and they hold a circle of thanks at dinner to remember what they have. StoryCorps hide caption

itoggle caption StoryCorps

StoryCorps

Once Homeless, Family Feels 'Blessed To Wake Up Another Day'

In 2013, after drowning in past-due bills, Franklin and Sherry Gilliard became homeless. Now they live in transitional housing, and they hold a circle of thanks at dinner to remember what they have.

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Kids (and Grandpa) can inject the humor needed to make a Thanksgiving memorable.

Kids (and Grandpa) can inject the humor needed to make a Thanksgiving memorable. H. Armstrong Roberts/Retrofile/Getty Images hide caption

itoggle caption H. Armstrong Roberts/Retrofile/Getty Images

From Our Listeners

Gravy And Gallstones: Your Memorable Thanksgiving Grace Moments

Especially at Thanksgiving, saying grace is a family ritual for many Americans. We asked you to share your stories and traditions — and they ran the gamut, from heartwarming to horrifying.

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San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan celebrates with his teammates after defeating the Miami Heat in game five of the NBA finals in June.

San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan celebrates with his teammates after defeating the Miami Heat in game five of the NBA finals in June. Ashley Landis/EPA/Landov hide caption

itoggle caption Ashley Landis/EPA/Landov

Sweetness And Light

Be Thankful This Year For The San Antonio Spurs

Just in time for Thanksgiving, commentator Frank Deford describes his gratitude for everyone's favorite team in any American sport. The Spurs, he says, are gentlemen, do right and are beloved by all.

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Bioethicist Peter Singer argues that, under certain circumstances, people should have the right to die at a time of their choosing.

Bioethicist Peter Singer argues that, under certain circumstances, people should have the right to die at a time of their choosing. Samuel La Hoz/Intelligence Squared U.S. hide caption

itoggle caption Samuel La Hoz/Intelligence Squared U.S.

Intelligence Squared U.S.

Debate: Should Physician-Assisted Suicide Be Legal?

Several states allow doctors, in certain circumstances, to help terminally ill people end their lives. The emotionally charged issue is at the center of the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. debate.

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The executive committee of FIFA — the international organization that regulates soccer — was so suspected of taking bribes that FIFA ordered its own internal investigation. It's no surprise, says Frank Deford, that it found no wrongdoing.

The executive committee of FIFA — the international organization that regulates soccer — was so suspected of taking bribes that FIFA ordered its own internal investigation. It's no surprise, says Frank Deford, that it found no wrongdoing. Kirill Kudryavstev/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

itoggle caption Kirill Kudryavstev/AFP/Getty Images

Sweetness And Light

Outside Of The Games, Are Sports Corrupt?

Commentator Frank Deford discusses some recent sports-related scandals, including the abuse of young swimmers by their coaches, and fake classes created for college athletes.

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Marc Quarles, his wife, Claudia Paul, and their children, Joshua and Danielle, live in an affluent, predominantly white neighborhood in California. Quarles says his neighbors treat him differently when his children aren't around.

Marc Quarles, his wife, Claudia Paul, and their children, Joshua and Danielle, live in an affluent, predominantly white neighborhood in California. Quarles says his neighbors treat him differently when his children aren't around. Courtesy of Marc Quarles hide caption

itoggle caption Courtesy of Marc Quarles

The Race Card Project: Six-Word Essays

Six Words: 'With Kids, I'm Dad. Alone, Thug'

With his brown skin and long dreadlocks, Marc Quarles stands out in his predominantly white neighborhood. He's particularly aware of that, he says, when his biracial children aren't with him.

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Ron Riveira, 42, a retired Navy corpsman and a medic for the Marines, with retired Army medic Jason Deitch, 44, in Concord, Calif. The two crossed paths while they were deployed overseas and reconnected back in the states.

Ron Riveira, 42, a retired Navy corpsman and a medic for the Marines, with retired Army medic Jason Deitch, 44, in Concord, Calif. The two crossed paths while they were deployed overseas and reconnected back in the states. StoryCorps hide caption

itoggle caption StoryCorps

StoryCorps

For Veteran, Hospice Care Work Connects Him To Family

Ron Riveira, who served in the Navy and Marines, now does hospice care for vets and says it allows him to help people like his grandparents. "Every time I go into a home, I see a piece of my family."

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Former Army Sgt. Ryan Sharp sat down with his father, Kirk Sharp, to talk about what happened when Ryan returned home after two tours in Iraq.

Former Army Sgt. Ryan Sharp sat down with his father, Kirk Sharp, to talk about what happened when Ryan returned home after two tours in Iraq. StoryCorps hide caption

itoggle caption StoryCorps

StoryCorps

Behind A Soldier's Suicidal Thoughts, An Unknown Brain Injury

After Sgt. Ryan Sharp returned from serving two tours in Iraq with the Army's 3rd Infantry Division, he would talk about ending his life. Today, he can't even recall those conversations.

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