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In this week’s episode of Slate’s sports podcast Hang Up and Listen, Stefan Fatsis, Mike Pesca, and Dan Steinberg talk about Robert Griffin III’s debut, replacement refs, and everything else in Week 1 of the NFL. They also speak with Sports Illustrated’s Melissa Segura about the burdens of the wives and girlfriends of former NFL players suffering from dementia. Finally, the Wall Street Journal’s Tom Perrotta joins the show to discuss the U.S. Open, including Serena Williams’ sensational run, the Taylor Townsend controversy, and Andy Roddick’s retirement.

Here are links to some of the articles and other items mentioned on the show:

• David Akers kicked off the season with a 63-yard field goal, tying the NFL record.
• It was a picture perfect start for Robert Griffin III, writes the Washington Post’s Dan Steinberg.
• The other four rookie QBs didn’t fare as well.
• Mike discusses the bounty scandal and the replacement refs on PBS NewsHour.
• Roger Goodell is not as powerful as he thinks, Josh writes in Slate’s roundtable with Deadspin.
• Stefan joined the discussion, questioning Goodell’s pledge to make the game safer.
• Melissa Segura’s Sports Illustrated cover story on women who care for ex-NFL players suffering from neurological disorders is not yet online. Here’s the cover of the issue.
• NFL players suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease at three times the rate of the general population.
• Dr. Eleanor Perfetto, wife of the late Ralph Wenzel, has given her husband a voice, writes CBS’ Stephen Smith.
• Serena Williams “refused to be defeated” writes Jon Wertheim in Sports Illustrated.
• Victoria Azarenka put up a fight, writes the Wall Street Journal’s Tom Perrotta.
• Grantland’s Brian Phillips writes about his admiration for Serena.
• Tomas Berdych upset Roger Federer in the quarterfinals.
• John Jeremiah Sullivan profiles Serena in the New York Times.
• Perrotta explains why the USTA benched America’s best junior, Taylor Townsend.
• Lindsay Davenport and Martina Navratilova defended Townsend.
• Last year, Donald Young ranted on Twitter after being excluded from the French Open.
• Wertheim says Roddick made the most out of his career.

Hang Up and Listen’s weekly Kempos:

• Dan’s Kempo: After playing fantasy football since middle school, it’s time to call it quits.
• Mike’s Kempo: Presbyterian lost 59-3 against Georgia Tech last weekend, but received $400,000 for playing.
• Stefan’s Kempo: A short “Hockumentary” on Royce White, a forward for the Houston Rockets who struggles with “generalized anxiety disorder.”

Podcast production and edit by Mike Vuolo. Our intern is Eric Goldwein.

You can e-mail us at hangup@slate.com.

The Hang Up and Listen T-shirt, designed by listener Todd Johnson, is now on sale. A shirt can be had for as little as $15.75, and you can choose between two color schemes—the green-and-gold “Oakland” edition or the red “Portland” edition. Support the show by buying both!