Edge Of Sports

On this week’s pod, we speak to 10 year NBA veteran Etan Thomas about his new book "We Matter: Athletes and Activism,” where he speaks to sports figures ranging from Bill Russell to Russell Westbrook. Also, I have choice words about Michael Bennett's departure from Seattle, a Just Stand Up and Just Sit Your Ass Down award for an NBA pioneer on mental health and NFL owners respectively, our weekly Kaepernick watch, and much more.Etan ThomasTwitter: @etanthomas36We Matter: Athletes & ActivismZirin, He’s Been Our Voice: Seattle Says Goodbye to Michael Bennetthttps://www.thenation.com/article/hes-been-our-voice-seattle-says-goodbye-to-michael-bennett/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)—Music: Eye Examination - Del the Funky Homosapien | It Was A Good Day - Ice Cube | Freestyle on Flex - Black Thought | I shall Proceed - The Roots | One Day - UGK | J-Daw

This week we got a dope show. We talk to sportswriter and friend of the program Patrick Hruby in-depth about the political economy of revenue sports and it’s racialized superstructure, why athletes deserve a piece of the income pie, and the FBI investigation into professional agents and their relationship with schools and collegiate athletes. We also have some Choice Words about the courage and perseverance of gymnast Aly Raisman in seeking justice for assault victims, a Just Stand Up & Just Sit Down for a WNBA coach and a national politician. All that and much more!Patrick HrubyTwitter: @patrick_hrubyhttps://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/fbi-investigation-college-basketball-highlights-system-s-hypocrisy-time-call-ncna852646Zirin, Aly Raisman Can’t Stop Won’t Stophttps://www.thenation.com/article/aly-raisman-cant-stop-wont-stop/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343

This week we got a special episode. We go full-length in conversation with  sports broadcaster and former Georgetown basketball captain Monica McNutt about the recent scandals plaguing the NCAA, sexual harassment inside the Dallas Mavericks organization, the movie Black Panther, and the trials faced by black women in sports journalism. It's a hell of a conversation that you don't want to miss!Monica McNuttTwitter: @McNuttMonica—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)—Music: Eye Examination - Del the Funky Homosapien | Ma, I Don't Love Her - Clipse | Mo' Money Mo' Problems - Notorious B.I.G. Feat. Mase & Puff Daddy | Kryptonite - Purple Ribbon All-Stars | The Wire Theme Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, we talk all things NFL -- plus a new twist on the Lebron-Jordan debate -- with Andrew Brandt, columnist for The MMQB and The Athletic and the host of "Business of Sports" podcast. Brandt details his time as an executive with the Green Bay Packers and dishes on whether or not the NFL is blackballing Colin Kaepernick.Dave has some Choice Words for how LeBron James has, once again, flipped the script in terms of what we expect from our superstars. Our Just Stand Up Award goes to Steve Kerr, head coach of the Golden State Warriors, for being far more presidential than the current person residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Our Just Sit Down Award goes to the racist fans who thought it was a good idea to yell at Washington Capitals' Devante Smith-Pelly.  As we move on from the football season -- and further away to when Colin Kaepernick last played -- we urge you not to forget the man who started this revolution of athlete-activists!Andrew Brandt, Columnist | The MMQB, The AthleticFollow on

This week, we give a preview of the Winter Olympics with Jules Boykoff, co-author of Power Games: A Political History of the Olympics. We also talk about the geopolitics surrounding the games, the destruction of sacred spaces in South Korea brought on by the Olympics, and whether we can expect athlete protests this year.During Choice Words, we’ll examine comments made by recent Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles on the topic of a White House visit. Legendary goalkeeper Neville Southall gets a Just Stand Up Award from us for comments made to the Financial Times about economic inequality and racism and Mike Pence does Mike Pence things, earning another Sit Your Ass Down! award.  As always, we've got a Kaepernick watch and more on this week's show!Jules BoykoffTwitter: @JulesBoykoffhttp://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-zirin-boykoff-pyeonchang-olympics-20180208-story.htmlZirin, Dave Why So Many Philadelphia Eagles Are Rejecting This White Househttps://www.thenation.com/article/why-so-many-phila

This week, we recap the Super Bowl with Melissa Jacobs from The Football Girl and host of The Football Girl Podcast. The Philadelphia Eagles sure didn't consider social justice a distraction en route to the Super Bowl. What's next for both the Eagles and the New England Patriots?During Choice Words, we examine how the Eagles used their platform to speak out for others and still came out on top -- yes, you can do both. The City of Brotherly Love is where you'll find our Just Stand Up Award and as for Dodge, what were you thinking misusing Martin Luther King's words? Sit Your Ass Down! As always, we've got a Kaepernick watch and more on this week's show!Melissa Jacobs, Founder of TheFootballGirl.com and host of The Football Girl PodcastFollow on Twitter @thefootballgirlDave Zirin, The Eagles' Super Bowl Win Shows That Having a Conscience Does Not Distract From Winning the Gamehttps://www.thenation.com/article/the-eagles-super-bowl-win-shows-that-having-a-conscience-does-not-distract-

This week, we speak to Jessica Luther, author of Unsportsmanlike Conduct: College Football and the Politics of Rape, about Michigan State, USA gymnastics and what justice could look like for the gymnasts abused by Larry Nassar.Get ready for a surprising Choice Words segment where we make a progressive case for rooting on the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl...seriously. We keep your attention on the Super Bowl for our Just Stand Up award -- Chris Long and Malcolm Jenkins continue to prove that standing up for social doesn't inhibit a football team from winning games.The Just Sit Down award could only go to someone on the Michigan State board of trustees. Plus, we bring you a Kaepernick Watch that has to do with him playing football! Enjoy all that and more on this week's episode! Jessica Luther, Journalist & Author of Unsportsmanlike Conduct: College Football and the Politics of RapeFollow on Twitter @jessicawlutherDave Zirin, The Progressive Case for the New England Patriots (Seriously)http

As Baltimore schools became refrigerators this month, former NFL linebacker turned Art teacher Aaron Maybin went viral with a video detailing their conditions. Aaron is also the author of a book called Art-Activism: The Revolutionary Art, Poetry, & Reflections of Aaron Maybin. We speak to him about his own personal journey as well as issues of race, class, and education facing Baltimore.Also, we have a special ‘Choice Words,’ written by journalist Lyndsey D'Arcangelo about the serial abuse that took place under the auspices of USA Gymnastics. You don’t want to miss it! We also have ‘Just Stand Up award to the first openly gay athlete to compete in the Winter Olympics, a ‘Just Sit Down’ award to Vice President Mike Pence, both of which are connected to each other, and a very special Kaepernick Watch!Aaron MaybinTwitter: @AaronMMaybinBook: Art-Activism: The Revolutionary Art, Poetry, & Reflections of Aaron Maybinhttp://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/education/k-12/bs-md-aaron-maybin-cold-schools

This week we talk to Hani Ali from the Black Visions Collective and Veronica Mendez-Moore from the Centro De Trabajadores Unidos En Lucha, both in the Twin Cities, about organizing a ten day resistance to ramped up police presence, the attacks on workers, and the corporate bacchanalia leading up to the Super Bowl Sunday. Also, we speak about the shockingly overlooked news that Serena Williams - one of the great all-time athletes - almost died during childbirth. We also have “Just Stand Up” and Just Sit Down awards that are connected to each other, as well as some very special shootouts to our patrons! All that and more on this week’s show! Hani Alihttp://www.takeactionminnesota.org/profile/hani-ali/Veronica Mendez-Moorehttp://stproject.org/lio_directory/veronica-mendez-moore/Zirin, Jaylen Brown and the Evolution of the Activist Athlete  https://www.thenation.com/article/jaylen-brown-and-the-evolution-of-the-activist-athlete/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.

This week, we speak to author Sean Deveney about his new book Fun City, which chronicles New York City in the 1960's -- an era of Broadway Joe Namath, the Amazin' Mets and some very interesting politics.Also, we have some choice words about the morality of watching professional football.  We've got a classroom-warming Just Stand Up Award for former NFL linebacker, Aaron Maybin, and USA Gymnastics...please Just Sit Down. As always, we give you a Kaepernick Watch and so much more!Sean Deveney, AuthorFollow on Twitter @SeanDeveney—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)—Music: Eye Examination - Del the Funky Homosapien | Welcome to New York City -Cam'ron | Orinoco Flow - Enya | Make the Money - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis | Man in the Box - Alice In Chains | Concrete Schoolyard - Jurassic 5 | Wake Me Up - Remy Ma Ft. Lil' Kim | Lose Yourself - Emine

This is a good one. We speak to ESPN the Magazine's Howard Bryant about his forthcoming book "The Heritage: Black Athletes, a Divided America, and the Politics of Patriotism." Bryant explores the development of the black athlete over the last 75 years, including the changing social and political dynamics.We also have a Choice Words segment that looks back at the year that was in sports and politics, and the backlash that followed the historic groundswell of protests. We also have a Just Stand Up award for McKayla Maroney for her courage in coming forward to tell the truth about USA Gymnastics, a Just Sit Down award to Jerry Richardson after a jarring expose in Sports Illustrated, and our last Kaepernick Watch of 2017. All that and more!Howard Bryant, ESPN ColumnistFollow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hbryant42https://www.amazon.com/Heritage-Athletes-Divided-Politics-Patriotism/dp/0807026999Zirin, 2017 in Sports and Politics: The Return of the Backlashhttps://www.thenation.com/article/2017-in-spo

On this episode of the podcast, we take a look at a culture jam that occurred earlier this week, targeting the Washington football team and its racist team mascot. Jacqueline Keeler joins the show again to talk about how this culture jam came into being as well as the larger issue of using indigenous people as mascots, and the impact of living near uranium mines on the health of native communities.We also have a Choice Words segment that examines the politics of Charles Barkley in the wake of the recent Alabama senatorial election. We also have a Just Stand Up award for the heads of the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB player associations and a Just Sit Down award to Rob Manfred, commissioner of Major League Baseball. All that and more!Jacqueline Keeler, Founder of Eradicating Offensive Native Mascotry & Creator of #NotYourMascotFollow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jfkeelerhttp://www.hcn.org/articles/tribal-affairs-trumps-message-for-tribes-let-them-eat-yellowcakeZirin, Charles Barkley’s Politics Demand Criticismhttp

This week, we try and understand the splits in the players coalition that has been negotiating with the NFL over the anti-racist protests taking place during the national anthem. We speak with Tamishia Moats, wife of former NFL player Ryan Moats, whose experiences with police violence became national news in 2009.And what a week it was, we have THREE Just Stand Up award winners including an NFL player and a Winter Olympics living legend. As always, we dole out our Just Sit Down nominee who needs to take all the seats and we end on a high note, your Kaepernick Watch.Tamishia Moats, Director of Development at Texas LegendsZirin, Two Different Paths, Two Different Goals: Understanding the Rift in the NFL's 'Player's Coalition'https://www.thenation.com/article/two-different-paths-two-different-goals-understanding-the-rift-in-the-nfls-players-coalition/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge

We speak to a WNBA MVP and one of the greatest hoopsters to ever live: Maya Moore. We talk about her recent efforts to raise awareness about prosecutorial misconduct and mass incarceration.Later on the show, we have some Choice Words about Amazon's sleazy search for a new corporate home and how stadium scams paved the way for this kind of graft. We also have Just Stand Up and Just Sit Down awards for Warriors coach Steve Kerr and the NCAA respectively. We also got some Kaepernick watch and a very special announcement you won’t want to miss.Maya MooreTwitter: @MooreMayaWebsite: MayaMoore.ComWNBA star Maya Moore pushing for change to criminal justice systemZirin, Sports Tax Scams Laid the Groundwork for Amazon Bidding Madnesshttps://www.thenation.com/article/sports-tax-scams-laid-groundwork-for-amazon-bidding-madness/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)—Music:

This week, we talk to Hall of Fame NBA journalist Jack McCallum about his new book Golden Days: West's Lakers, Steph's Warriors, and the California Dreamers Who Reinvented Basketball. McCallum details the influence Jerry West had on two golden eras of basketball in California and he tells you what teams have the best shot to dethrone the Warriors in the years to come.We have some Choice Words about NFL Thanksgiving and their revealing choice to let the team in the nation's capital host the primetime game. This week demanded two Just Stand Up awards: Shout out to South Carolina women's basketball head coach, Dawn Staley and Marshawn Lynch make a statement in the same country that is synonymous with athlete-activists.We'll take you on a trip to the White House for the Just Sit Your Ass Down award and read you a terrific letter from a listener about how we report on the #MeToo movement.Jack McCallum, Author of Golden Days: West's Lakers, Steph's Warriors, and the California Dreamers W

This week, we speak to Rory Fanning, who served in the Army Rangers with former NFL player Pat Tillman. Fanning would later become a member of Veterans for Peace and a critic of U.S. foreign policy. We discuss nationalism, militarism, and the NFL's role in promoting these virtues.We also have 'Choice Words' about the NFL's handling of Veteran's Day this past Sunday, and we read a very special letter from a listener about confronting toxic masculinity. Rory FanningTwitter: @RTFanning “Worth Fighting For: An Army Ranger's Journey Out of the Military and Across America.”“Long Shot: The Triumphs and Struggles of an NBA Freedom Fighter.”Zirin, Pandering to the Military Won’t Save NFL Players From Racist Backlashhttps://www.thenation.com/article/pandering-to-the-military-wont-save-nfl-players-from-racist-backlash/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (

Fresh off his Netflix Special, America Is The Greatest Country in the United States, Judah Friedlander takes a stab at defining American exceptionalism through humor. Friedlaner, a major soccer fan, also explains how and why the USA didn't qualify for the 2018 World Cup.I've got some Choice Words about the importance of Kaepernick to fighters for Social Justice. Lastly, we listen to the words of Breanna Stewart -- her exclusive response to Edge of Sports -- about why she joined the #MeToo movement, as read by my mom. Judah Friedlander, ComedianTwitter: @JudahWorldChampWebsite | Watch His Netflix SpecialZirin, Why Colin Kaepernick Matters So Muchhttps://www.thenation.com/article/why-colin-kaepernick-matters-so-much/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)—Music: Examination - Del the Funky Homosapien | Red Hot - Jurassic 5 | Jockin' My Style - Craig Mack

We speak to three-time gold medalist and civil rights attorney Nancy Hogshead-Makar about how the #MeToo movement is shaping the world of sports as well as her own work in shedding light on sexual abuse in the field of athletics over the years. We look at the big picture of sexual violence in sports while also getting into the legal weeds. I cannot imagine a more important topic for this moment or a better person with whom to discuss all of this. Additionally, I have some Choice Words about Jerry Jones and whether he's all bark no bite, a Just Stand Up award to McKayla Maroney for coming forward, and we travel cross the pond for our Just Sit Down award. All that and much more!Nancy Hogshead-MakarTwitter: @Hogshead3AuWebsitehttp://www.espn.com/espnw/voices/article/21127152/nancy-hogshead-makar-metoo-shows-need-tighter-rules-club-olympic-sportsZirin, Looks Like Jerry Jones Isn’t Going to Punish His Players for Protesting After Allhttps://www.thenation.com/article/jerry-jones-isnt-going-to-punish-dallas-cowb

This week, three generations of activist athletes take the stage at Wake Forest University. It's me your Edge of Sports host Dave Zirin, interviewing 1968 Olympic legend John Carlos, former NBA player - who knows something about being "blackballed" - Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, and Olympian Ibtihaj Muhammad. If only there was something to talk about in the world of sports and politics.Also, I have some choice words about what the NFL players truly won after their meeting this week with NFL owners.Special thanks to Melissa Harris-Perry, Shanta Covington and Rolisa Tutwiler at Wake Forest.Dr. John Carlos, '68 OlympianREAD: The John Carlos StoryMahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Former NBA PlayerFollow on TwitterIbtihaj Muhammad, USA Fencing Olympic MedalistFollow on TwitterZirin, Colin Kaepernick Was Mocked and Threatened for Taking a Knee. He's Also Winning.https://www.thenation.com/article/colin-kaepernick-was-mocked-and-threatened-for-taking-a-knee-hes-also-winning/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://

This week, we speak to NBL MVP and former NBA player Royce White about mental health and what collusion looks like, in light of the recent news about Colin Kaepernick's NFL lawsuit. Also, we have Just Stand Up and Just Sit Your Ass Down awards, a Kaepernick Watch that explores the politics of collusion, and a brilliant poem about sports, politics, and race written and read by Tariq Toure.Royce White, London LightningWebsiteHow Royce White Became the Most Important Basketball Player AliveFollow on TwitterZirin, Player Protests Are Not a Spectator Sporthttps://www.thenation.com/article/player-protests-are-not-a-spectator-sport/—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com/ | http://twitter.com/EdgeOfSportsPod | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@gmail.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE)—Music: Examination - Del the Funky Homosapien | This Girl - Kungs vs Cookin' on 3 Burners | Muddy Waters - LP | Every Single Piece - Redondo Bolier feat. She Keeps Bees | Hold You Down - The Alche