Edge Of Sports

Fifi Nomenon (say the name quickly) is a star of the Texas Rollergirls and team USA Roller Derby, and is one of the most prominent trans athletes in the United States. We break down roller derby, why it has proven to be more hospitable to trans athletes than other sports, and what it's like to be trans in Texas - a place where scapegoating has run rampant. In addition to Fifi, I have some Choice Words about anti-trans bigotry and the 2017 Super Bowl. Finally my Just Stand Up award goes to an icon of my sports-loving youth, NFL Hall of Famer Harry Carson, and his efforts to ban tackle football for kids.Fifi Nomenon: http://fb.com/fifinomenon | http://twitter.com/fifinomenonTexas Rollergirls: http://texasrollergirls.orgTeam USA Roller Derby: http://fb.com/usarollerderbyZirin: Fight Transphobia and Move the Damn 2017 Super Bowl http://thenation.com/article/fight-transphobia-and-move-the-damn-2017-super-bowl/This NFL Hall of Fame Member Won’t Let His Grandson Play Football http://thenation.com/article/this-nf

The Washington Post caused a furor when they released a new poll, claiming that 90% of Native Americans are not offended by the home football team’s controversial name. We read this article with great interest and came away with more questions than answers. Today, we offer the Post, and our listeners, a moral reality check with Jacqueline Keeler, Navajo/Yankton Dakota Sioux writer and co-founder of the group ’Eradicating Offensive Native Mascotry.’ Then, Dave reads a response from Washington Post polling manager Scott Clement, and finally, Dave updates his open letter to Dan Snyder, originally published in Grantland.Washington Post: “New poll finds 9 in 10 Native Americans aren’t offended by Redskins name” http://wpo.st/P4ec1The Nation (Keeler) “On the Shameful and Skewed ‘Redskins’ Poll” http://thenation.com/article/on-the-shameful-and-skewed-redskins-poll/Grantland (Zirin) “Enough” https://grantland.com/features/rename-washington-redskins/Music by A Tribe Called Red: Braves, The Road ft. Black Bear, Differe

This is the Olympics edition of the Edge of Sports podcast, and it is a news making edition of the show. I am just back from Rio de Janeiro snd the show reflects this in rather dramatic fashion. I sat down face to face with the mayor of Rio de Janeiro Eduardo Paes for a no holds barred discussion about the Olympics, displacement, and corruption and whether Rio is ready to host the games. Then, I sit down with Rio-based activist Theresa Williamson from Catalytic Communities. Theresa does a point-by-point rebuttal to Mayor Paes. Then I have some 'Choice Words' about the Zika virus and the removal of Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff. And lastly, the 'Just Stand Up Award' goes to the independent journalists of RioOnWatch.org.Eduardo Paes: http://fb.com/eduardopaesRJ | http://twitter.com/eduardopaes_ Theresa Williamson: http://twitter.com/greencitiesRio On Watch: http://RioOnWatch.org | http://twitter.com/rioonwatch Catalytic Communities: http://catcomm.org | http://twitter.com/catcommColumn:

This week, an extensive interview with Pink Floyd founder Roger Waters on Israel, Palestine, US politics, and the power of music. We also discuss the role of sports in these ongoing discussions. The impetus for this interview was a new documentary that Waters narrates called The Occupation of the American Mind" put out by the Media Education Foundation.  I also have some choice words about traveling to Rio - where I will be when you are listening to this pod - to look at the pre-Olympic planning. Will report back! Lastly, our Just Stand Up Award goes to the resistors on the ground in Rio, still standing up for working people in the face of the Olympics.The Occupation of the American Mind: http://occupationmovie.com | http://fb.com/occupationmovie | http://twitter.com/OccupationMovieRoger Waters: http://rogerwaters.com | http://fb.com/rogerwaters | http://twitter.com/rogerwatersMusic by Pink Floyd: ‘Time,’ ‘Another Brick in The Wall,’ ’Money,’ ‘Us and Them’ http://pinkfloyd.com & Ocupa Carnaval ‘Cachaç

Michael Sam, the first openly gay player drafted into the NFL, tells his fascinating story to Dave Zirin, on-stage at University of Colorado Denver. Despite a great college career at Mizzou and slot in the 2014 draft, Sam hasn’t found a home in the NFL. Today on Edge of Sports, Michael Sam weighs the undeniable good he has done for society with honest reflections on what could have been different. Then, our ‘Just Stand Up’ award goes to Julie DiCaro,who, along with fellow journalist Sarah Spain, helped to call out sexist internet trolls with the powerful video ‘More Than Mean’ shot by the ‘Just Not Sports Podcast.’ We salute you.Our host, the intrepid DZ, is on the road this week in BRAZIL! To the Cariocas, please take care of our boy, and tweet Dave or friend of the show Zach Zill with interesting leads http://twitter.com/zachzill. Special thanks to Avery Balano & Sean Lawton. Music by Aika https://soundcloud.com/i-am-aikaMichael Sam: http://fb.com/MichaelSamNFLJulie DiCaro: http://twitter.com/JulieDiCar

Despite heavy hearts due to the passing of Prince, we are honored to welcome one of the most prominent journalists of our time, co-founder of The Intercept, Glenn Greenwald. We speak to Greenwald primarily about the political crisis roiling Brazil and the effect it could have on the 2016 Summer Olympics… as well as the effect the Olympics could have on this political crisis. Greenwald is based in Rio and his recent writings on this subject are vital for anyone seeking to understand what is happening, with the Games less than 100 days away. Dave also pays a heartfelt tribute to Prince, reading a column about what it meant to go to college in the Twin Cities, the place Prince ruled. And sure enough, our ‘Just Stand Up’ award is to his Purple Highness for turning the 2007 Super Bowl on its head.--http://twitter.com/ggreenwaldhttp://theintercept.com/staff/glenn-greenwaldhttp://glenngreenwald.net--Column: Good Night, Sweet Prince: The death of the musical legend has me reeling, and remembering vividly what it was

This week, a show for all the student-athletes, student-activists, and the advocates like us who cheer them on. Isabelle Teare is a member of the Georgetown University Sailing Team. She’s also a leader in ‘Athletes and Advocates for Workers,’ a movement that’s pressured Georgetown’s administration and athletic department to confront Nike sweatshop abuses. Despite the school's long and entwined relationship with Nike, Teare and her cohort are winning. Then, comedian W. Kamau Bell has a new CNN program, ‘United Shades of America,’ debuting Sunday at 10 Eastern. We will find out why he is interviewing Klansmen on deserted country roads and what the mission is of this altogether original show. Then, a column read about Steph Curry's small- but significant- stand against anti-LGBT legislation in North Carolina. Finally, our ‘Just Stand Up’ award comes in defense of Cardale Jones, a man who deserves nothing but a larger platform for his critical views of big time college football. We thank our intern Dustin

Today's guest hold the informal title of "greatest living sportswriter," Robert Lipsyte. Lipsyte distinguished himself with multiple stints at the New York Times, covering Muhammad Ali when he was still known as Cassius Clay. He is also noted for his recent tenure as an unflinching Ombudsman at ESPN. The author of celebrated books such as "SportsWorld: An American Dreamland" and his memoir “An Accidental Sportswriter,” Lipsyte offers Dave Zirin unvarnished opinions on the likes of Muhammad Ali, Billie Jean King, Bill Simmons and ‘Grantland,’ Derek Jeter and ‘The Player’s Tribune,’ the delays besetting ESPN’s ‘The Undefeated,’ Donald Trump, and his most indelible memory in sports: helping a Nigerian boxer named Dick Tiger mail his medal back to the Queen of England in protest.“Superbowling” by Robert Lipsyte, New York Times (January 18, 1969) http://nyti.ms/264VMclRobert Lipsyte New York Times archive http://nyti.ms/23AhWVgRobert Lipsyte website http://robertlipsyte.comRobert Lipsyte in The

This week, we have the most acclaimed historical documentary filmmaker on earth, Ken Burns. He made ‘Baseball’ and ‘Jazz,’ and now we talk to Burns about his  new two-part PBS documentary 'Jackie Robinson.' It's a powerful back-and-forth about the actuality of Robinson's complicated legacy that goes beyond puff-pieces and Hollywood-myth-making. Burns connects Robinson's struggle to the #BlackLivesMatter movement, Trump, and the warmed over racism that infuses the modern Republican Party. In our ‘Choice Words’ segment, Dave speaks in detail about one of the unsung heroes of Robinson's journey, radical sports journalist Lester Rodney. And for the ‘Just Stand Up Award,’ the loudest possible solidarity with the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team and they push for far wages and equality.PBS Ken Burns film “Jackie Robinson” premieres April 11-12, 2016. Information: http://pbs.org/jackierobinsonKen Burns website: http://kenburns.com twitter: http://twitter.com/kenburnsZirin: “More than a S

Today we pay homage to two departed legends of music. First, we have Don Cheadle, star and director of the Miles Davis biopic “Miles Ahead.” Then, DJ Bobbito Garcia remembers his friend Malik Taylor, AKA Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest who passed away last week. Dave’s ‘Choice Words’ are call for NBA Commissioner to move the 2017 All-Star weekend away from Charlotte in light of a recent North Carolina anti-trans law, and a somber ‘Just Stand Up’ goes to Dave’s departed friend Kevin Turner. The former Alabama and NFL running back lived with dignity and strength before succumbing to ALS a week ago.Special thanks: Mike Sheils, Simona Noce, Maya Anand, Donna Daniels, Kathryn Tyus-Adair, Jennifer Allen, Mike Nasella, WPFW 89.3 FM.—‘Miles Ahead’ film: http://sonyclassics.com/milesaheadZirin: The NBA Needs to Move the 2017 All-Star Game FromCharlotte. Now. http://thenation.com/article/the-nba-needs-to-move-the-2017-all-star-game-from-charlotte-now/Zirin: Kevin Turner Dies From ALS, the NFL Does Not Give a Damn ht

Amid political chaos, Edge of Sports looks to a comic mind for order: author and actor Judah Friedlander. As Frank Rossitano on 30 Rock, Friedlander was known for his “World Champ” trucker hats, and it does not escape Judah that Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” cap bears more than a passing resemblance to his signature look. Dave Zirin and Judah talk politics, comedy and ping pong, recorded in a Montgomery County, Maryland library. Then, Dave has some ‘Choice Words’ about baseball diplomacy in Cuba laced with music by Machito, and the ‘Just Stand Up’ award goes to Serena Williams for rebuking Raymond Moore, former director of the Indian Wells tennis tournament disgraced by his comments belittling female players.—“If the Raindrops United: Drawings and Cartoons by Judah Friedlander”http://judahfriedlander.com/if-the-raindrops-united | http://JudahFriedlander.com | http://twitter.com/JudahWorldChamp | http://fb.com/JudahWorldChamp | http://youtube.com/JudahChampThe Office audition tapes: https://youtu.b

As college basketball fans descend into March Madness, Edge of Sports offers a wake-up call from Dr. Harry Edwards, renowned sports sociologist and author of the seminal text “The Revolt of the Black Athlete.” Dr. Edwards prescribes a stringent tonic for the NCAA’s ills: a complete dissolution and ground-up reformation focused on academics and athlete equity. Our host Dave Zirin also offers his ’Choice Words’ to the NCAA, drawing inspiration from John Oliver’s brilliant 2015 sendup. Finally, the ‘Just Stand Up’ award goes to Rory Fanning, an Army Vet and co-author of Craig Hodges’ forthcoming memoir who was among a group of protesters that shut down Donald Trump’s planned rally in Chicago.—Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: The NCAA https://youtu.be/pX8BXH3SJn0Zirin: Why Not Even the Mighty John Oliver Can Shame the NCAA http://thenation.com/article/why-not-even-mighty-john-oliver-can-shame-ncaa/—Contact:http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | edgeof

This is one of those dream shows for us at Edge of Sports. We’ve spoken to Kareem. We’ve spoken to Martina. Now we talk to Mick, as in pro wrestling legend Mick Foley. The hardcore legend is also a militant anti-sexist, a Tori Amos fan, and a national spokesperson for RAINN – the Rape Abuse Incest National Network. We in addition get him to answer whether Pro Wrestling deserves some of the blame for the rise of Donald Trump. To help me, I have my friend pro-wrestling aficionado Damian Smith riding shotgun. Also, in our Choice Words section, I speak about the alarming rise in the use of “Trump” as a racial slur at high school sporting events. Lastly, in the just stand up award, a big shout out to the first US Olympian to compete while wearing a hijab: fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad.—Mick Foley:http://realmickfoley.comhttp://twitter.com/RealMickFoleyhttp://fb.com/RealMickFoleyRape, Abuse & Incest National Network RAINN http://rainn.org/mickfoleyGet Help Online https://ohl.rainn.org/online/‘Trump’ Has Become a Raci

We have a show this week that fills me with pride and anger. The pride comes from the fact that we interview two NFL Hall of Fame players who grew up in the Jim Crow south, went to Historically Black Colleges, and played in the 1960s: Willie Lanier and Ken Houston. We hear their stories and it is – to put it mildly - powerful stuff. The anger comes with our opening topic: my thoughts on the cancelling of MSNBC’s The Melissa Harris Perry Show, a place where I was regularly accorded a platform to discuss the politics of sports. After giving my own thoughts, I speak to original Melissa Harris Perry Show producer - and current MTV News journalist - Jamil Smith about the abrupt cancellation of the show. I also give the Just Stand Up Award to a college football team trying to end sexual assault.#NerdlandForever—This episode of Edge of Sports is brought to you by FreshBooks. For the best way to make tax season easy, especially for freelancers like me, get FreshBooks, a cloud accounting software designed exclusively

This week on Edge of Sports, we have two sports/politics legends of 1968 and we speak to them in front of 500 people in a packed Oakland auditorium. They are DR. JOHN CARLOS, who raised his fist on the medal stand in Mexico City along with Tommie Smith, and the great WYOMIA TYUS, the first person to ever win back-to-back 100 meter gold at the Olympic games in 1964 and 1968. Ms. Tyus also stood in solidarity with John Carlos and Tommie Smith although that has been written out of most mainstream histories. This week’s column read is on “The Hidden History of Muhammad Ali and the Black Panthers” and we give our “Just Stand Up Award” to the Jayhawks: aka the people in the Athletic Department at the University of Kansas.See the full event video: https://youtu.be/soaaLNnXgDoCenter for Sport and Social Justice: http://www20.csueastbay.edu/ceas/cssj/Dave’s column: http://thenation.com/article/muhammad-ali-and-the-black-panther-party/PBS “The Black Panthers: Vanguard Of The Revolution” http://www.pbs.org/independentle

Edge of Sports welcomes Martina Navratilova, one of the greatest tennis players ever and one of host Dave Zirin’s political-athlete heroes. Martina made history not just with her utter on-court dominance of the 1980s, but through a remarkable journey away from her family in totalitarian Czechoslovakia, and to a life where she lives today as a political, open LGBT American. This week’s column read is “The Past Is Never Dead: Peyton Manning and Today’s Jock-Rape Culture at Tennessee,” and we give “Just Stand Up Awards” to musicians Win Butler and Kendrick Lamar.—-This episode of Edge of Sports is brought to you by FreshBooks. For the best way to make tax season easy, get FreshBooks, a cloud accounting software designed exclusively for small business owners and freelancers. Go to http://FreshBooks.com/Edge and enter "Edge" in the “How You Heard About Us” section for a 30-day free trial. We’re also sponsored by Casper mattresses. Go to http://Casper.com/Edge for great offers on amazing mattresses, and you

In the aftermath of Super Bowl 50, we look at two figures who personify "Unapologetic Blackness." First, we discuss the indomitable of Cam Newton with former NFL pro, Harvard Business School grad and columnist Domonique Foxworth. Next, we get in ‘formation’ for Beyoncé with Dr. Brittney Cooper AKA Professor Crunk, who schools us on the rich symbolism of Beyoncé’s latest cultural touchstone. Then, Dave Zirin delivers an antiseptic column read: “Super Bowl 50: Brought to You by Toe Fungus,” and finally, a smackdown challenge to Rob Lowe (yes, the actor) who had some choice words for Cam Newton on twitter.—Edge of Sports is brought to you by Harry’s Razors. Save half the price on name brand blades with Harry’s factory-direct prices and a money-back guarantee. When you use the code EDGE at http://Harrys.com, you save $5 on your first purchase, AND you’re supporting this program. We’re also sponsored by FreshBooks. For freelancers and small business owners, FreshBooks takes the pain out of accounting. Have

The Edge of Sports Super Bowl Blockbuster Special features radical linguistic theorist Noam Chomsky giving his first-ever sports interview. Today, the MIT professor drops knowledge on the gladiatorial spectacle capturing the world's attention, but far from a sports-grinch, you'll also hear Chomsky re-live his early love affair with baseball. He assesses the phenomena of Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump after the Iowa caucuses, and to top it all off - he even gives the long-awaited Chomsky Super Bowl pick. Dave’s column this week is about transformational Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, and the ‘Just Stand Up’ award goes to Greek soccer teams who stood up for Syrian refugees by sitting down.—Edge of Sports is brought to you by FreshBooks. For freelancers and small business owners, FreshBooks takes the pain out of accounting. Have a question about the service? A real-live human will answer every call in about 3 rings. Get your 30-day free trial by going to http://FreshBooks.com/Edge and entering the cod

Today, the video of Dave Zirin's interview with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is available on TheNation.com, EdgeOfSportsPodcast.com, and YouTube. You'll hear and see aspects of this experience that had to be cut out of the podcast.Short clip: https://youtu.be/hP5aTGcXMwgFull interview: https://youtu.be/9xtI8c0Dg8QIn honor of this release, we're bringing back our conversation with Kareem in its entirety. You can hear something new with every listen.3:11 “These Terrorist Attacks Are Not About Religion”http://ti.me/1x57Sgy10:13 “This is the difference between Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders” http://wapo.st/1NY53ug10:59 “The Coming Race War Won’t Be About Race“http://ti.me/1mZr2Rc30:27 “College Athletes of the World, Unite”http://jacobinmag.com/2014/11/college-athletes-of-the-world-unite/33:53 “Mycroft Holmes” by Kareem Abdul-Jabbarhttp://titanbooks.com/mycroft-holmes-7528/Kareem's latest article:  Why Black People Are 'Invisible to Oscar Voters hollywoodreporter.com/news/kareem-abdul-jabbar-why-black-

Lawrence Phillips was a phenomenal football talent, a back-to-back National Champion at the University of Nebraska and a top NFL draft pick in 1996. But a childhood marred by trauma and violence undercut Phillips’ promise of a fruitful life. Despite his obvious athletic gifts, a pattern of disturbing off-field behavior pushed Phillips out of the league and into legal trouble. In 2008, Lawrence Phillips entered Kern Valley State Prison. He would never get to see the outside again. In January of 2015, while awaiting trial for the alleged murder of his cell-mate, Phillips was found dead in his cell - a suspected suicide. Today, Dave Zirin seeks clarity and lessons from the tragic life of Lawrence Phillips. Our guests are Damon Benning, a Cornhusker teammate of Phillips and a current radio host in Lincoln, Howard University Professor Christian-Dotson Pierson, and Neil Irvin, Executive Director of ‘Men Can Stop Rape.’Zirin article: “Who Killed Lawrence Phillips?” http://www.thenation.com/article/who-killed-lawrenc