In addition, the memo states that “the NFLPA and the NFL have retained two well-known infectious disease specialists to write an infectious disease quarterly newsletter focusing on topics that specifically affect NFL players and club personnel. The newsletter offers preventative measures for clubs and helps team physicians formulate a treatment plan to control the spread of H1N1 when it affects their teams.”

In late August, a pair of Miami Dolphin cornerbacks, Sean Smith and Jason Allen, were suspected of having swine flu. When the story was reported, the Dolphins were quick to respond–saying that they were only “testing” the players for the illness, and that results would be kept private.

MSNBC reported this past week that “The World Health Organization says at least 625 people have been reported dead from swine flu in the last week. That’s more than 20 percent of the 2,837 known deaths since the novel virus first emerged in Mexico and the United States earlier this year.” In addition, WHO estimates suggest that the virus could eventually infect 2 billion people, or a third of the world’s population.

While it’s easy for fans to dismiss this, especially if it might interrupt their fun, but an autumn pandemic could have an impact on the NFL. There are others, however, who believe that the swine flu virus has a more menacing purpose.

It’s Cinco de Mayo today, which means we’re going to be drinking margaritas and breaking pinatas all day long.  That’s what this holiday means, right?

The PSA from above is from 1976, when the US government thought it would be best to recruit members of the Green Bay Packers to educate the public about the Swine Flu epidemic.  In case you were asking yourself, “What’s the defense for it, holmes?“, here’s your answer.

Here are your Tuesday Morning Links:

• ESPN’s John Clayton tells us the 8 things he’s gleaned from NFL Mini-camps
• MVN lists their Top 10 Breakout candidates for 2009. Fantasy owners take note.
• Football Outsiders has a great look at the off-season moves in the NFC East
• Brett Favre tells Trent Dilfer he isn’t returning to football. Yeah, right.
  
• Busted Coverage gives us 12 sports-related translations to try out during Cinco de Mayo drunkeness
  

Dan Mullin goes to the Kentucky Derby

Since today  seems to be one of the better days in recent sporting memory – Kentucky Derby (Favorite I Want Revenge SCRATCHED this morning), Pacquiao vs Hatton, Celtics/Bulls Game 7, NHL Playoffs, and there isn’t all that much going on in the NFL this weekend, we’re going to try to be productive with our Saturday. Buy a lawnmower, play with the puppy, go get a swine flu vaccination and watch some of the other amazing sports on TV today.

Here are a few morning links to get you going:

• Kentucky Derby Photo Essay from Busted Coverage
• For the degenerate gamblers in the house, How To Bet The Kentucky Derby from FindingDulcinea
• The Sports Guy recall the amazing 3OT Game 6 of Celtics/Bulls
• CelticsBlog says this is the best NBA Playoff Series Ever
• Clinton Portis Weighs in on the Swine Flu. Thank GOD his voice can finally be heard on this issue.

After the jump, we’ve got video of the top plays from the Celtics/Bulls series so far, and an incredible Swine Flu PSA:

The video below is from 1976, when the Swine Flu apparently first threatened to sweep the globe.  So the governement went ahead and started one of their awesome 70′s propaganda TV campaigns praying on the ignorance and fear of the American public.  (“Man, I’m too fast to let it catch me!”  classic)