Edge of Sports

On September 19, PBS will debut the new documentary “Muhammad Ali” by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon. This week we speak to them about how to bring a larger than life figure back down to earth and what they learned from the project.  We also have “Choice Words” about the IOC’s shocking and casual display of anti-Asian racism from Thomas Bach. In addition, we have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to ESPN personality Jay Williams and NFL Network's Rich Eisen for speaking out about the need to get vaccinated and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith for his stupid and bigoted comments about baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani and the Nigerian olympic basketball team. We also have a tribute to Hip-Hop legend Biz Markie, who recently passed. All this and more on this week’s show! Ken Burns Twitter: @KenBurns https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/unum/ Sarah Burns Twitter: @sarah_l_burns  https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/about-the-filmmakers/sarah-burns/ Dave McMahon Twitter: @DavidMMcMahon https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/about-the-filmmakers/david-mcmahon/ Zirin, Anti-Asian Racism and the 2020 Olympic Games https://www.thenation.com/article/society/thomas-bach-tokyo-olympics/ — 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) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We are BACK! This week we talk to the Coach Kevin McNutt about the suspension of track and field star Sha'Carri Richardson for smoking weed and some NBA Finals observations so far. We also have “Choice Words” about Gwen Barry and the GOP’s pathetic attempt at demonizing her. In addition, we have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to New Orleans native and Scripps Spelling Bee champ Zaila Avant-garde who recently became the first Black American to win such an honor and several prominent football clubs like Barcelona and Atletico who have decided to play exhibition games in the settler state that is Israel. All this and more on this week’s show! Coach Kevin McNutt Zirin, Gwen Berry Is the Hero We Need https://www.thenation.com/article/society/gwen-berry/ — 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) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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This week we speak to Dr. David Canton, the new head of the African-American studies department at the University of Florida about how he intends to teach about sports, racism and politics given the recent legislation against reaching any kind of antiracism by Florida governor Ron DeSantis. We also have “Choice Words” about the NFL and it’s racist practice called race-norming. In addition, we have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to Australian swimmer Maddie Groves who has chosen to withdraw from the Olympics as a message to sexist perverts and everyone who added to the hype machine leading ip to the fight between Floyd Mayweather and  Logan Paul. All this and more on this week’s show! David Canton https://news.clas.ufl.edu/dr-david-a-canton-named-director-of-african-american-studies-at-uf/ Zirin, The Tokyo Olympics Are In Peril https://www.thenation.com/article/society/tokyo-olympics-cancel/ — 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) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

There is a new and groundbreaking film about trans youth athletes called Changing the Game. This week on the Edge of Sports podcast, we speak to director Michael Barnett, and Alex Schmider, the film's producer. Everyone should check out the movie, it’s fantastic and inspiring. We also have “Choice Words” about the looming backlash in the world of sports against the political athlete. In addition, we have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to Naomi Osaka for her courageous stance in advocating for her mental health at the French Open and the NFL for their racist legal approach called race-norming, a practice they only recently decided to drop. All this and more on this week’s show! Changing the Game Twitter: @ChangingGameDoc https://www.changinggamedoc.com/ Zirin, Naomi Osaka and the Growing Backlash Against Athletes Who Dare to Speak Out https://www.thenation.com/article/society/naomi-osaka/ — 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) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we speak to authors Maria J. Veri and Rita Liberti about their new book, Gridiron Gourmet, which explores tailgating culture and sports. The authors also go into detail on their experiences writing the book, their favorite foods they ate along the way, and how race intersects with this culture. We also have “Choice Words” about Kyrie Irving, his comments about Boston sports fans, and the reactions. In addition, we also have a “Just Stand Up” award to Rob Benson, former NBA athlete for his great op-ed in the San Francisco Chronicle about mental health, and a "Just Sit Down" award to racist fans all over the country . All this and more on this week’s show! Maria J. Veri Twitter: @mjveri Gridiron Gourmet Rita Liberti Twitter: @RitaLiberti5 Zirin New York Needs Trae Young Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe. — 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) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we speak to legendary goalkeeper Hope Solo about her 20 year career in USA Soccer and what she would do if she was in charge of the Federation. We get into issues concerning equal pay and the pushback Hope says she got when she attempted to bring these issues to light.  We also have “Choice Words” about Kyrie Irving and his comments humanizing Palestinians. In addition, we also have a nice remembrance of all-time political athlete and Olympian Lee Evans after his recent passing. All this and more on this week’s show! Hope Solo Twitter: @hopesolo https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jan/12/hope-solo-uswnt-goalkeeper-carli-lloyd-equal-pay-soccer Zirin, Kyrie Irving’s Comments on Palestine Are a Big Deal https://www.thenation.com/article/society/kyrie-irving-israel-palestine/ — 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) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we talk to Luke Epplin, author of the new book, Our Team: The Epic Story of Four Men and the World Series That Changed Baseball. Luke goes into detail on his research for the book, Satchel Paige, why Larry Doby is an important historical figure, and Bill Veeck’s complicated legacy. We also have “Choice Words”about how more athletes are connecting Black Lives Matter issues domestically to Palestinian liberation. In addition, we also have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to the athletes that are going to defy the IOC’s rules around political expression, and everyone that wrote off Russell Westbrook at the beginning of the NBA season, respectively. All this and more on this week’s show! Luke Epplin Twitter: @LukeEpplin Our Team: The Epic Story of Four Men and the World Series That Changed Baseball Zirin The IOC Is Now Daring Olympic Athletes to Protest — 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) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we talk to Pamela Grundy and Susan Shackleford, authors of the groundbreaking book, “Shattering The Glass: The Remarkable History Of Women's Basketball.” You have to listen to this interview.  We also have “Choice Words” about Caitlyn Jenner’s pathetic political power play. In addition, we also have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to the German women’s gymnastic team for their statement against sexualization in the sport and Knicks/Islanders owner James Dolan. All this and more on this week’s show! Pamela Grundy & Susan Shackleford Twitter: @pamcgrundy  https://uncpress.org/book/9780807858295/shattering-the-glass/ Zirin, Sports Unions Come Together to Fight for the PRO Act https://www.thenation.com/article/society/pro-act-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) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we speak to free agent NFL player RK Russell about his oped in The Guardian in defense of transgender athletes as well as his process of writing. Russell has some great advice for up-and-coming athletes. We also have “Choice Words” about the LAPD's efforts to ride LeBron James' coattails in a transparently disingenuous way. In addition, we have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to recent Baltimore Ravens draft pick Odafe Oweh for taking a stand on pronunciation of his African name, and the NFL analysts at the Draft that criticized players for sitting out a COVID filled season, respectively. All this and more on this week’s show! RK Russell Twitter: @RKRelentless "Trans kids deserve the same opportunity that made my NFL career possible," The Guardian Zirin Voices Are Raised Against the NBA Launching Its New African League in Rwanda Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe. — 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) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy