Detroit Lions players don't want to change length of preseason

Wednesday's health and safety news from the world of sports:

• The Detroit Lions players say they don't want a shorter preseason, something that has been advocated for their safety, the Detroit Free Press reported. Among those who talked about it was wide receiver Michael Spurlock.

• The Boston Globe reported that Matthew Slater won the New England Patriots' Ron Burton Award for community service.

• The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat wrote a staff editorial on the efforts in its community to stave off concussions.

• The Philadelphia Inquirer's Sports Doc Blog looked at the safety aspect of mouth guards.

• Researchers from San Diego State announced they have invented a software package and a balance board to diagnose concussions.

• NBC Washington looked at the introduction of Heads Up Football in the Fairfax County (Va.) area high schools.

• Maryland Gazette looked at baseline concussion testing in its communities.

• The Helena Independent Record reported on the baseline concussion testing in this Montana city.

• The Winona (Minn.) Daily News reported on what area kids are doing to train in the heat.

-- Bill Bradley, contributing editor