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-nfl-hall-of-fame-member-wont-let-his-grandson-play-football/—http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@slate.com--Music: LL Cool J "Phenomenon" http://llcoolj.com | Shovels & Rope "Mary Ann & One Eyed Dan" http://shovelsandrope.com | No7ice "It's Too Late" http://soundcloud.com/no7ice Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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, Different Heroes ft. Northern Voice, Burn Your Village To The Ground http://atribecalledred.com/Jacqueline Keeler: http://twitter.com/jfkeelerEradicating Offensive Native Mascotry:  http://NoMoreStereotypes.com | http://twitter.com/EONMassoc—http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | email us: edgeofsports@slate.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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: Don’t Move the Olympics, Protest Them http://thenation.com/article/dont-move-the-olympics-protest-themSee more videos from Dave in Brazil: http://fb.com/edgeofsportspodMusic by Onias Comenda ‘Berimbau’ https://soundcloud.com/boebis2 Ocupa Carnaval ‘Bandeira Branca,’ ’Mascara Negra’ http://soundcloud.com/ocupa-carnaval Beat Box - Dj Perera 2016 http://soundcloud.com/bruninho-do-funk—http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | email us: edgeofsports@slate.comCover photo: Tasso Marcelo (AFP) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 ‘Cachaça’ http://soundcloud.com/ocupa-carnaval—http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | email us: edgeofsports@slate.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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/JulieDiCaro—http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@slate.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 like the one time I was in his presence. http://thenation.com/article/good-night-sweet-prince/--http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@slate.com--Music by Prince and Morris Day & The Time. This episode is dedicated to the memory of Prince Rogers Nelson. We love you, and we we will never forget you nor your contribution to the world. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 Foote for all his dedicated work over the last few months. This episode is dedicated to the memory of Prince Rogers Nelson. We will have a full tribute to Prince on next week’s show.Workers Rights Consortium: http://workersrights.org/The Hoya: http://thehoya.com/president-degioia-addresses-nike-labor-disputes/Georgetown Voice: http://georgetownvoice.com/2016/02/29/81060/W. Kamau Bell's United Shades of America: http://cnn.com/UnitedShades‎/Zirin column: Steph Curry on North Carolina’s HB 2: ‘No One Should be Discriminated Against’ http://thenation.com/article/steph-curry-on-north-carolinas-hb-2-no-one-should-be-discriminated-against/http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@slate.comMusic by Alexander Lewis http://soundcloud.com/alexanderjlewis on Elysian Records http://soundcloud.com/elysianrecordsSkit & Sahilhttp://soundcloud.com/skithttp://soundcloud.com/iamsahilmusic Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 Nation http://thenation.com/authors/robert-lipsyteRobert Lipsyte's current column 'Codger' http://shelterislandreporter.timesreview.com/author/rlipsytehttp://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@slate.comMusic by ctkrecording http://soundcloud.com/ctkrecording Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 Sportswriter: Lester 'Red' Rodney: 1911-2009” http://www.commondreams.org/views/2009/12/23/more-sportswriter-lester-red-rodney-1911-2009http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@slate.comMusic: Jazz by Lee Ho Jun https://soundcloud.com/lee-ho-jun-573335801 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 http://thenation.com/article/kevin-turner-dies-from-als-nfl-does-not-give-a-damn/—http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | edgeofsports@slate.com—Music credits:Miles Davis: One For Daddy-O, Blue in Green, The Doo Bop Song, Sanctuary, Bitches Brew, Duran, Milestones, Flamenco SketchesA Tribe Called Quest: Check The Rhime, Electric Relaxation, Award Tour, Jazz, Steve Biko (Stir it Up,) Excursions, Buggin’ Out, Can I Kick It?Run DMC - Jam Master Jay, Biz Markie - Make the Music with Your Mouth, Biz (Produced by Marley Marl,) The Beatnuts - Watch Out Now Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy