By Sunday, he had made such progress that he was alert and talking while watching the Patriots’ victory over the Broncos. A breathing tube was removed and Neumeier was expected to remain in intensive care through the end of this week.

Neumeier, who was afflicted as he was preparing to leave for the Breeders’ Cup, required 5½ hours of brain surgery, according to multiple sources familiar with his situation. But there was an instantly encouraging sign after the surgery: He was wiggling his toes and squeezing the hands of those who were at his bedside.

There is cautiously optimistic news to pass along on Bob Neumeier , the longtime Boston sports television personality and current Comcast SportsNet New England anchor who suffered a stroke last Wednesday.


There is still uncertainty about his long-term prognosis. But it’s much more encouraging than it was at the end of last week, when his family understandably desired to keep his status private in the immediate hours and days after he was hospitalized. Reports passed along then by friends in the know were grim.

It should be noted — it should have been noted here long ago, actually — that Neumeier is the rare person in the Boston media of whom no colleague or competitor has a discouraging word.

Stories of “Neumy” helping out anyone who asked for advice or a recommendation have been commonplace through the years that I’ve been on this beat, and were often retold this week.

Still, the outpouring of concern for Neumeier from colleagues as well as sports fans who appreciate him from his Channel 4 heyday or as a midday host on WEEI or his horse racing duties or, heck, even his days as the Hartford Whalers play-by-play voice was almost overwhelming.

Such concern for a man who always has conducted himself with good humor and kindness was genuine. As one longtime competitor and friend put it, “He is one of the well-grounded guys in a business full of egos.”


Here’s to Neumy. And hopefully, more encouraging news to come.

Simmons seethes

No matter what Bill Simmons does to antagonize ESPN management, and no matter how inconsistent and contradictory management has been when it comes to punishing personnel for various infractions through the years, I’ve always figured he would remain at the network long-term. The relationship is so mutually beneficial that any disagreements should be surmountable.

That belief is wavering now. Three weeks after returning from a three-week ban for calling NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a liar and then challenging his bosses to punish him, Simmons found his way into another intra-ESPN public controversy Thursday.

After Mike Golic, cohost of the “Mike and Mike” show, accused him of trying to grab headlines by saying LeBron James doesn’t look like the same player early this season, Simmons came out swinging on Twitter, starting with this:

“What Mike and Mike did today was absolute garbage. I would say I lost respect for that show, but I never had it.”

Here’s another in a rapid-fire sequence of tweets: “Have the [guts] to call me to discuss it on the show. Don’t pull it out of context just because you need fodder for a segment. Pathetic.”

For Simmons to be frustrated with some of his ESPN colleagues is understandable. Golic did overreact to the James comment.


But for Simmons to take it to social media so soon after his most recent suspension suggests that any outlet with the cash and cachet to pursue Simmons when his contract is up would be wise to start making inroads now.

Gathering Moss

ESPN has had an exceptional run of “30 for 30” films — a concept that evolved from a Simmons brainstorm, we should note — even by the usual high standards, and the next one up sounds typically intriguing. “Rand University” is a look at enigmatic superstar wide receiver Randy Moss’s upbringing in small-town Rand, W.Va. Directed by Marquis Daisy, it will look back at Moss’s troubles with the law that cost him the chance to play at Notre Dame and Florida State, his redemption at Marshall University, and the suspense of the 1998 NFL Draft, when he slid down the board to the Minnesota Vikings with the 21st pick . . . NESN announced a multiyear contract extension with Charlie Moore, a.k.a. the Mad Fisherman. The program “Charlie Moore Outdoors” has aired on the network since 1999.

Smart choice

CSNNE will premiere a 30-minute program titled “The Education of Marcus Smart” Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in advance of the Celtics’ matchup with the Bulls. While Smart, the promising rookie guard, already has had some learning experiences as an NBA player — Raptors veteran Kyle Lowry stripped the ball from him late in Wednesday’s loss — the title is actually a reference to all that he learned during his difficult, determined journey to the NBA. Highly recommended . . . Jon Meterparel will be joined by a familiar voice in an unfamiliar role when the Boston College men’s basketball team opens its season Nov. 14 against New Hampshire. The Globe’s Bob Ryan will join Meterparel, the Eagles’ play-by-play voice, as the analyst on the call, filling in for Danya Abrams. All BC men’s basketball games can be heard on ESPN 850.


Chad Finn can be reached at finn@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeChadFinn.