Column Archive

Against Abolishing Football at Penn State

Spare me. Spare me the calls to abolish Penn State’s football program in the wake of findings by former FBI Chief Louis Freeh that Coach Joe Paterno and other men in power hid the crimes of child rapist/assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. Spare me the NCAA’s ominous warning that they “will determine whether any additional action is necessary on its part at the appropriate time.” Spare me the self-righteous rage of sports writers who spent decades burnishing the Paterno legend and now rush to tear it all down.

The Shocking Truth About Joe Paterno, Penn State and Governor Tom Corbett

Former FBI Director Louis Freeh's report on wrongdoing at Penn State is shocking for what it reveals about Joe Paterno. The report is also striking for what it doesn’t reveal, mainly the role of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett. 

Serena Williams and Getting “Emotional” for Title IX

After Serena Williams won her fifth Wimbledon title in stunning fashion on Saturday, she was asked a familiar question on the tournament’s storied Centre Court. It’s a question that seems to be posited to every female athlete at every level of competition: “Was it difficult for you to control your emotions?”When Serena had to field the “emotions” question on the highest possible stage, it was for me a window into why so many women and men celebrated the recent 40thanniversary of the passage of Title IX.

Steve Nash to the Lakers: the political impact

In explosive sports news that upstaged even the fireworks on the 4th of July, the Los Angeles Lakers announced that they had traded for Phoenix Suns All-Star point guard and two-time Most Valuable Player Steve Nash. Understandably people are already recalibrating the 2012-2013 season, wondering if Nash and his future Hall-of-Fame teammate Kobe Bryant can not only co-exist but compete for a championship. But a less discussed question is the political impact, if any at all, of Steve Nash playing in the white-hot spotlight of Laker-Land.

Drew Brees, Union Power and the Big Payback

Quarterback/demigod Drew Brees is the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He also, for some curious reason, can’t get a solid contract offer from his team, the New Orleans Saints. The sports radio talking heads are yipping about whether the 33-year-old Brees is asking for too much. But this story is not about the pay. It’s the payback.

Jerry Sandusky's Crimes and the Accountability of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett

Graduate assistant Mike McQueary’s infamous actions in the Penn State showers upon catching Sandusky sodomizing a child  - slam a locker, tell someone in a position of power, try to forget it -  is symbolic of actions up the chain of command. It’s a chain of command that goes all the way to the  office of the Governor and former State Attorney General, Tom Corbett.

Palestinian Soccer Star/Hunger Striker Mahmoud Sarsak to Be Freed

In news that will provoke tears of joy throughout the West Bank, Gaza Strip and not a few locker rooms, it was announced today that Mahmoud Sarsak, jailed Palestinian soccer star and hunger striker, would be released on July 10. Sarsak was arrested on his way to a national team match as he tried to cross the Gaza border, with travel approval from Israel in his hand. He has been held for three years without charges, a trial or even contact with his family. Over the last ninety days, Sarsak has refused food, continuing to adhere to an organized hunger strike of 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, even after their action was resolved.

Red State Hoops: The Oklahoma City Thunder and the value of Seattle's rage

To Seattle: don't get over it. Your anger is just and you should keep those embers of rage alive.  This isn’t about spite or jealousy or anything of the sort. It’s about protecting the future of hoops in the Emerald City. Basketball will return to Seattle. There are too many teams that have lost too much money and Seattle has the income, the passion, and the real estate to make it happen. There will be a Sonics again because the NBA needs Seattle even more than Seattle need the NBA.

Do You Know Your Enemy? Why we should all root for the Miami Heat to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder

If the Thunder win the 2012 title, the Clay Bennett/David Sternapproach will be lionized throughout pro sports. The theft of theSonics will be justified and cities involved in stadium negotiations will be threatened with being “the next Seattle" if they don't acquiesce to the whims of the sporting 1%. A championship for the Thunder would be a victory for holding up cities for public money. It would be a victory for ripping out the hearts of loyal sports towns. It would be a victory for greed, collusion, and a corporate crime that remains unprosecuted.

After 44 Years, It's Time Brent Musburger Apologized to John Carlos and Tommie Smith

Amidst the angry denunciations of 1968 Olympic protesters Tommie Smith and John Carlos, there was one column published in the Chicago American newspaper, that was particularly ugly. Smith and Carlos were called "Black skinned stormtroopers." The journalist  became an iconic broadcaster who now sits comfortably as the elder statesman of the sports world. He appears in family friendly movies like The Waterboy and Cars 2. His name is Brent Musburger. It's time for an apology.