Flashing Back to Jon Gruden Washington Team Name Debate Take

October 13, 2021 By 1 Comment

jon gruden

In the wake of the news surrounding Jon Gruden this week, we felt it might be interesting to flashback to some of the rare past occurrences where he actually did give his take on social issues. It seems pretty crazy right now, doesn’t it- a man who seemed to love absolutely everyone and everything, was Mr. positivity as an announcer, is actually a deplorable person on the inside.

During an ESPN Monday Night Football media teleconference, several years ago, Gruden even said, with great self-awareness: “people think I’m too positive, I love everybody!” Turns out it was just a character he played on television.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Las Vegas Raiders, News and Current Events, NFL, Politics, Social Issues

Don’t Give Jay Cutler, Brett Favre Platforms on COVID Issues

August 17, 2021 By 1 Comment

Examples number 9,234,678 and 9,234,679 on why we shouldn’t look to professional athletes for guidance on serious social issues- Jay Cutler and Brett Favre. The former was in the news yesterday for his losing an endorsement over his anti-mask stance, and his potential run for a school board presidency in his home state of Tennessee.

The latter is a top trending term on the internet right now due to his appearing on CNN to talk about the risks of CTE in playing football, and how that puts weight on the decision to when kids should be allowed to play.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, NFL, Politics, Social Issues

Study Shows Which Football Fans Most Likely to Participate in Boycott NFL Movement

July 28, 2021 By 12 Comments

Controversy has plagued the NFL for several years now, following former quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the National Anthem in 2016 in protest of police brutality and racial injustice throughout the country. Kaepernick became a free agent after that season and was not re-signed, which many took as a reaction to his political protest. The kneeling incident sparked a lasting controversy that resulted in boycotts of the NFL on both sides of the issue.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: NFL, Politics, Social Issues

Meghan Markle Becomes Hero to Italy Fans in Euro 2020 Final

July 12, 2021 By 1 Comment

meghan-markle

Can’t say I saw this one coming, but it is true that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. As you’ll recall earlier this year Meghan Markle, who made a Brexit from the British Royal Family, pointed out just how epidemic racism is in the United Kingdom.

Markle opened up about the racism that is omni-present within the Palace itself, and as you might have guessed, the royals were in denial about it. As Italy took on England in the Euro 2020 they embraced Markle as one of their own, and if watched the match yesterday with Italy fans, it was not uncommon to hear one of them dedicate their victory to Meghan Markle.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Entertainment/Media, Football/Soccer, News and Current Events, Politics, Social Issues

Indianapolis 500 Ramps Up Extreme Nationalism, Over the Top Jingoism

May 31, 2021 By 3 Comments

american military

Make no mistake about it, my favorite color is a three way tie between red, white and blue. Just look at the colors of this website. Take a look at the photo below to see how I dressed to attend the 102nd running of the Indianapolis 500. See the American flag emoji in my Twitter profile too.

However, there is patriotism, and then there is nationalism, and then there is patriotism and nationalism combined, on steroids and multiplied to the 10th power, which we usually call jingoism. This is a very hot topic right now, as the NFL decided last week to take the Star Spangled Banner issue and go full on #MAGA #AmericaFirst with it. The National Football League decided to completely pander to the lowest common denominator.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Entertainment/Media, News and Current Events, Politics, Social Issues

Most Memorable Merica and MAGA T-Shirts Seen at Indianapolis 500

May 31, 2021 By 1 Comment

american-flag-star spangled banner

As has been well documented, especially so on this site, the patriotism gets ramped up to jingoism and then some at the Indianapolis 500 every year. Actually take that jingoism and square it, no wait- take it to the tenth power.  On one hand, we get it- this site’s colors are red, white and blue for a reason.

It is the nation’s biggest Memorial Day weekend gathering, as it draws over 300,000 people each year. On the other hand, come on- spare us the native advertising for the armed services; sponsored by Chevrolet. People showed up for an auto race, not a recruiting pitch, and certainly not for more Chevy ads.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Entertainment/Media, History, News and Current Events, Politics, Social Issues

Indy 500, Little 500, Broadripple: Bawdy Tales of Indianapolis Racing Weekend Hijinks

May 31, 2021 By 1 Comment

indianapolis motor speedway

A decade ago, I attended my first Indy 500, and it was in the infield.

My people watching that day became an essay which is among the site’s most popular posts of all time. A decade later, I returned to the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, ready once again to regale you with tales of auto racing’s zaniest fans, on racing’s biggest weekend.

This time we added two more settings- the Little 500 in Anderson (about an hour from the speedway) and Broadripple, the neighborhood boasting the hippest nightlife in all of nap town.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Entertainment/Media, Food and Drink, Politics, Social Issues, Tech, Travel

Arsenal Midfielder Martin Odegaard Takes Part in Norway’s Qatar Protest

March 25, 2021 By Leave a Comment

The Norway national team has stood up and made their voice heard, advocating for greater human rights in the leadup World Cup 2022 Qatar.

Ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Gibraltar last night, the Norwegian team, including Arsenal (on loan from Real Madrid) attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard and Borussia Dortmund scoring sensation Erling Haaland, lined up before kickoff wearing T-shirts over their national-team jerseys that had the message “HUMAN RIGHTS” followed by “Respect on and off the pitch.”

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Arsenal, Football/Soccer, News and Current Events, Politics, Social Issues

Lebron James Dunks on Zlatan Ibrahimovic for ‘Stick to Sports’ Bit

February 27, 2021 By Leave a Comment

LeBron James

You knew Lebron James wasn’t going to take a “stick to sports” or “just shut up and dribble” from Zlatan Ibrahmovic lying down. On Thursday, Ibrahimovic said in an interview that James should stay out of politics and not use his very large platform for social issues like he has been doing repeatedly, and beautifully.

Ibrahmiovic said that people should only do what they’re good at it, and Friday saw Lebron answer to these accusations, and in the process call out Zlatan for his hypocrisy. James also said he’ll also never stop fighting for social justice., and against systemic racism.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Football/Soccer, Lakers, NBA, News and Current Events, Politics, Social Issues

John Harbaugh Makes Powerful Statement on Black Lives Matter Struggle

September 14, 2020 By 2 Comments

Social justice, or more importantly, the fight against social injustice, was a major theme in the opening weekend of the National Football League. Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh made comments on the issue that were as powerful as anything anybody has said anywhere.

Harbaugh, whose Ravens have arguably the best overall roster in the NFL this fall, said that the struggle African-Americans are enduring right now will ultimately go down, far ahead in the future, as “the greatest freedom story in the history of the world.’”

[Read more…]

Filed Under: News and Current Events, NFL, Politics, Social Issues

Nate Burleson Says Social Justice Conversation Must Become Action

September 14, 2020 By 2 Comments

In the words of the famous Elvis Presley song, “a little less conversation, a little more action.” Nate Burleson, Co-host of Good Morning Football and CBS’ “NFL Today” echoed that statement today. He sees and hears a lot of people in this country saying all the right things about social justice, but declared those statements pointless if it doesn’t then lead to actual substantive action against systemic racism.

The former NFL 11 year veteran wide receiver, now an analyst for CBS, discussed the Black Lives Matter movement and all that it stands on the pregame shows this morning.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: News and Current Events, NFL, Politics, Social Issues

Calipari on Potential Rupp Arena Name Change, Team Protests

August 26, 2020 By Leave a Comment

In a media zoom call scheduled specifically for a discussion on the hiring of Bruiser Flint as a new Assistant Coach, John Calipari covered a vast array of topics. The University of Kentucky head coach was asked about:

COVID-19, the chances of having a season amidst it, backlash for his tweet about getting getting his team registered to vote, the on-campus conversation about potentially re-naming Rupp Arena, former UK Associate Athletic Director DeWayne Peevy taking the A.D. job at DePaul, a potential series with the Blue Demons) and what his thoughts would be if his players wanted to stage a protest against social injustice.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: College Basketball, Kentucky Wildcats, Politics, Social Issues
Next Page »