Edge of Sports

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the consummate renaissance man of basketball. The all-time leading scorer in NBA history is also an author, historian, and now, a cultural commentator on the most hot-button political topics of the day. Dave Zirin traveled across the country and spoke with Kareem for the full hour, discussing his deep history of activism, scholarship and steadfast self-discovery. We’ll be releasing video of this interview at TheNation.com in the coming weeks.3:28 article: “These Terrorist Attacks Are Not About Religion”5:52 Trump on Muslims6:50 Are you a Bernie Sanders supporter?8:03 Kareem in Brazil9:40 The Obama era10:30 article: “This is the difference between Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders”11:16 article: “The Coming Race War Won’t Be About Race“15:20 Ever been pulled over “driving while black?”16:24 Assassination of Malcolm X17:10 Choice of UCLA20:41 The Ali Summit23:12 1968 Olympics, reason for sitting?23:58 Sports in society24:18 Jackie Robinson25:28 John Lewis26:55 Missouri football29:17 Sports in the black community30:10 NCAA reforms30:44 article, “College Athletes of the World, Unite”31:14 Bruce Lee34:10 book: “Mycroft Holmes” by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar36:02 Robert B. Parker37:14 Gil-Scott Heron42:00 Bobby Hutcherson43:00 Yoga44:05 Younger generation of activists44:46 Did Murdock have the fish?45:23 Joe Louis & Lana Turner46:09 Message to your younger selfLinks to Kareem: kareemabduljabbar.com | twitter.com/kaj33 | hbo.com/kareemLinks to Dave: edgeofsportspodcast.com | twitter.com/edgeofsports | fb.com/edgeofsports | email: edgeofsports@slate.com—This episode of 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 Harrys.com, you save $5 off your $15 starter set AND you’re supporting this program.—Music: Bobby Hutcherson (Goin’ Down South, Black Heroes) | Gil-Scott Heron (The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, Who’ll Pay Reparations On My Soul?, Late Last Night)  | Ibrahim Maalouf (Alf Leila Wa Leila - Introduction)—Special thanks: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Deborah Morales, Audy & Janice. Thirsty Tiger TV: Valerie Chow, Angie, Alessandro, Wayne, Scott & Tim. Panoply: Brendan & Andy. The Nation: Frank Reynolds. Produced by Dan Bloom. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, Edge of Sports is traveling to LA to interview Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Instead of taking the week off, Dave Zirin is dropping into your podcast feed to call for questions and give listeners a window into his thought process going into this once-in-a-lifetime interview. Dave also reads his current column from The Nation about Lebron James and the competing opinions about his lack of comment after Tamir Rice’s police killers scandalously avoided indictment. Finally, the ‘Just Stand Up’ award goes to Baltimore-based activist Tariq Touré who started this conversation by thinking up the hashtag #NoJusticeNoLeBron.--Column: “The Tactical Intelligence of #NoJusticeNoLeBron” http://www.thenation.com/article/the-tactical-intelligence-of-nojusticenolebron/Email Dave at edgeofsports@slate.com, tweet http://twitter.com/edgeofsports, and find all the previous episodes at http://edgeofsportspodcast.com including last week’s look back at our best interviews of 2015.Music: ‘Cadillac’ by Kayloo & Silo [ https://soundcloud.com/kayloo-sound | https://soundcloud.com/silo-beats ]‘Neon Nightriders’ by Jasper Staal [ https://soundcloud.com/jasperstaal ] Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

“Life moves pretty fast…if you don’t stop and look around once in a while…you could miss it.” Wise words from Ferris Bueller animate the year’s final episode, where we revisit our favorite Edge of Sports guests of 2015. You’ll hear from musicians Chuck D and John Legend, Orioles owner John Angelos, NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith, journalist Jeanne Marie Laskas and NBA Champion Samaki Walker, the first NBA player to ply his trade in Syria. Also, Dave delivers his film review of ‘Concussion’ and gives his inaugural “State of the Sports Union.” We have big plans for the new year, starting with a trip to LA and an interview with NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. --Please send your questions and interview topics to edgeofsports@slate.com or tweet Dave at http://twitter.com/edgeofsports. Thanks for listening, and have a safe & happy New Year.1:00 - Chuck D, 5:30 - John Legend, 13:40 - John Angelos, 19:30 - DeMaurice Smith, 22:30 - Jeanne Marie Laskas27:16 - Dave ‘Concussion’ review: http://www.thenation.com/article/why-the-movie-concussion-spells-trouble-for-the-nfl-and-moral-angst-for-the-rest-of-us/, 34:24 - State of the Sports Union, “Women Roar”: http://www.thenation.com/article/women-roar-the-story-of-the-year-at-the-intersection-of-sports-and-politics/39:50 - Samaki WalkerMusic: Stoopkid - Day Bow Bow https://soundcloud.com/stoopkidbeats. Public Enemy - Welcome to the Terrordome, Harder Than You Think, He Got Game. John Legend & The Roots - Our Generation,  I Can't Write Left Handed. Nina Simone - Baltimore. West1ne - The Elks https://soundcloud.com/west1ne. Ibrahim Maalouf - InPressi http://ibrahimmaalouf.com. HUNTS. & west metro - better days https://soundcloud.com/west-metro http://soundcloud.com/huntsssHomepage: http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | Email: edgeofsports@slate.com | Twitter: http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://twitter.com/danbloomsports Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today, women’s basketball great Chamique Holdsclaw joins us to discuss the recent comments of Gilbert Arenas, and her own fascinating history in the game. For years, the #1 WNBA draft pick waged a silent battle for mental wellness, but she eventually chose to go public, becoming a powerful advocate and role model. Her journey is chronicled in the film ‘Mind Game.’ Then, we visit with Sporting News columnist David Steele, who found himself in the crosshairs of Trump-Nation and Patriot-Nation after criticizing Tom Brady for evading a political stance while displaying a “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN” hat in his locker. Finally, the ‘Just Stand Up Award’ goes to NBA referee Bill Kennedy, who came out as a gay man as a show of pride and defiance in the face of Rajon Rondo’s on-court slurs. Thanks for listening. The Edge of Sports team wishes all our listeners a safe and happy holiday.--Chamique Holdsclaw twitter: http://twitter.com/chold1Chamique Holdsclaw film: http://mindgamefilm.orgDavid Steele twitter: http://twitter.com/david_c_steeleSteele: “Time for Tom Brady to take a stand on Donald Trump, stop playing it safe”http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl-news/4688125-tom-brady-donald-trump-cannot-play-it-safe-michael-jordan-shoes-neutral-patriotsZirin: “Rajon Rondo, Gay-Bashing, and the Beautiful Response to an Ugly Hate Crime”http://www.thenation.com/article/rajon-rondo-gay-bashing-and-the-beautiful-response-to-an-ugly-hate-crime/Zirin twitter: http://twitter.com/edgeofsportsEmail the show: edgeofsports@slate.comMusic: De Graaf [ https://soundcloud.com/gm090297 ], David Serena [ https://soundcloud.com/daveserena ] Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

“This is the conversation America keeps not having…” Today, we have that conversation on head injuries in football with Jeanne Marie Laskas, whose reporting on Dr. Bennet Omalu serves as the basis for the upcoming Will Smith film ‘Concussion.’ Laskas has strong words for the NFL and calls for all fans to re-examine their complicity in this $10 billion-a-year industry. Laskas is the author of the book ‘Concussion’ published by Random House. Then, Dave celebrates Serena Williams’ SI Sportsperson of the Year award by reading a column of praise from TheNation.com, and finally, the ‘Just Stand Up’ award goes to the Golden State Warriors and #DubNation who exemplify the American ideal of marrying teamwork and individuality…with a place for Steph Curry. Dave’s column) http://www.thenation.com/article/serena-williams-is-todays-muhammad-ali/ Jeanne Marie Laskas website: http://jeannemarielaskas.comJeanne Marie Laskas on twitter: http://twitter.com/jmlaskasNew Edge of Sports website: http://edgeofsportspodcast.comDave on twitter: http://twitter.com/edgeofsportsEmail: edgeofsports@slate.com Music:“Progress” by David Serena http://soundcloud.com/daveserena“we are bounded” by tgthr. http://soundcloud.com/officialtgthr Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today, we learn what it’s like to be blackballed from your job for speaking your mind, and what it means to play pro ball…in Syria. Craig Hodges was a three-point specialist during the dawn of the Jordan-era Bulls, who won their first of six titles in 1991. As the team visited the White House for its obligatory photo-op, Hodges donned a Dashiki to highlight his African heritage and hand-delivered then-President Bush a letter about racism in America. The next time Hodges came up for a contract, Hodges found himself frozen out of the league by agents and teams alike. Hodges tells the inside story of that consequential time in his life, and gives his thoughts on present-day Chicago, which is reeling after the police murder of Laquan McDonald and the subsequent cover-up. We also hear from Samaki Walker, NBA Champion with the Lakers in 2002 who finished his playing career in Syria, of all places. Walker is the only NBA vet to suit up in Syria, and shares an incredibly unique perspective on their culture. Then, Dave reads a column calling out Donald Trump’s dangerous rhetoric on Muslims, and finally, the ‘Just Stand Up’ award goes the US Women’s National Soccer Team who refused to play on a substandard field, giving their fans a lesson in real backbone. Dave Columns: 1) http://www.thenation.com/article/why-donald-trump-wants-to-render-muslim-athletes-invisible/2) http://www.thenation.com/article/laquan-mcdonald-and-the-politics-of-black-athletes/   3) US Women's National Soccer Team statement: http://www.theplayerstribune.com/uswnt-match-canceled-field-conditions/ Craig Hodges: http://twitter.com/craighodgesnbaSamaki Walker: http://twitter.com/samaki_walker & http://samakiwalker.com Tweet Dave at https://twitter.com/edgeofsportsEmail edgeofsports@slate.com Music:Alan Parsons - Sirius (Pretty Lights Remix) https://soundcloud.com/prettylightsSonido Berserk - Oh! https://soundcloud.com/sonidoberzerk, https://soundcloud.com/tentoesturboBaby Namboos - Ancoats 2 Zambia - Dillinja Remix (Kator Footwork Bootleg) https://soundcloud.com/katorskidnbFranjazzco - Get Up http://soundcloud.com/franjazzco, https://soundcloud.com/tentoesturboJohn Coltrane - Giant Steps Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Orioles Owner John Angelos Gets Real, Son of Nun Raps In-Studio In April, protests in Baltimore over the police murder of Freddie Gray reached the gates of Camden Yards during a game. In response, Orioles front office chief John Angelos refused to vilify the protesters, instead offering a nuanced history of public policies that sapped cities like Baltimore of their well-paying jobs, tax base and working-class opportunities. As Baltimore braces for the accused officers' trials, we speak to John Angelos about his bold statement, the healing comments of O’s manager Buck Showalter and star outfielder Adam Jones, and the role of sports in shaping our society. We also hear Baltimore rapper, activist, educator, and former medic ‘Son of Nun’ spit a verse about awareness and social justice. Finally, a personal note about how global terror visited Dave’s own neighborhood. This show is dedicated to the memory of Anita Datar. Article text: http://thenation.com/article/on-the-death-of-takoma-parks-anita-datar-in-mali/Anita Datar’s organization, Tulalens: http://tulalens.orgJohn Angelos twitter: http://twitter.com/johnpangelosSon of Nun twitter: http://twitter.com/sonofnun7Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle: http://lbsbaltimore.com Songs: “Treegossip” by David Marston & Life On Planets (Better on Foot Records) [https://soundcloud.com/davidmarstonja | http://lifeonplanets.com | http://betteronfoot.org] “Baltimore” by Nina Simone [http://ninasimone.com] “It’s Like That” (live acapella excerpt) by Son of Nun [http://sonofnun.net] If you like the program, please subscribe, tell a friend, tweet us https://twitter.com/edgeofsports, or email edgeofsports@slate.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

“Intellectual and material walls are not the way to progress.” The words of today’s guest, George Atallah from the NFLPA, in response to knee-jerk bigotry against refugees after attacks in Paris and Beirut. Atallah’s own family fled Lebanon’s civil war for the United States decades ago and he denounces passionately, as Aaron Rogers did on Sunday, the prejudicial ideologies which lead to hardened hearts and wrongheaded policies on all sides. Then our host, Dave Zirin, expounds on the conscientious sentiment so aptly expressed by French Forward for the Utah Jazz, Rudy Gobert, when he tweeted: “Ne Vous Laissez Pas Manipuler,” or as Dave translates, #staywoke. Finally, the ‘Just Stand Up’ award goes to the Northwestern women’s basketball team, who modified their warmup shirts to read: “We stand with Mizzou,” also issuing a strong statement of solidarity. Special thanks for all the music in this piece to Ibrahim Maalouf, the renowned Beirut-born, Paris-based jazz trumpeter, composer and educator. All songs used with permission of the artist. Ibrahim Maalouf twitter: https://twitter.com/ibrahim_maaloufIbrahim Maalouf website: http://www.ibrahimmaalouf.com/Ibrahim Maalouf songs: “Paris,” “True Sorry,” “InPressi,” & “Beirut” ft. guitar solo by Nenad Gajin. George Atallah on twitter: https://twitter.com/georgeatallah ‘The Nation’ column: http://www.thenation.com/article/ne-vous-laissez-pas-manipuler-aka-staywoke/  If you like the program, please subscribe, tell a friend, tweet us https://twitter.com/edgeofsports, or email edgeofsports@slate.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Oscar and Grammy winner John Legend joins Edge of Sports to laud the Missouri Tigers football team, who made history by joining with protesting students and refusing to play until University president Tim Wolfe resigned. We’re also privileged to have an insider’s perspective from Paul Hewitt, who coached Georgia Tech to the NCAA finals in basketball a decade ago. Finally, we welcome back Howard University professor Christian Dotson-Pierson to discuss the publication of photos which document Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy’s deplorable domestic abuse. Tweet Dave at http://twitter.com/edgeofsports, John Legend at http://twitter.com/johnlegend, Christian Dotson-Pierson at http://twitter.com/profcdp and give producer Dan Bloom your feedback at http://twitter.com/danbloomsports. You can also write us at edgeofsports@slate.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The all-new Edge of Sports podcast is here, and our host Dave Zirin calls on the Hard Rhymer himself, the legendary Chuck D of Public Enemy, to bless the first show. As it turns out, this activist lion of hip-hop actually had boyhood dreams of becoming a sportscaster. Chuck tells the story of Public Enemy’s national breakthrough on Soul Train, revels in the greatness of Ali, praises LeBron James as a modern-day thought leader, and then…Chuck D bigs up his pilates instructor. Also in the studio is Christian Dotson-Pierson, a PhD candidate at Howard University. Her focus is media advocacy of concussion awareness, handy expertise for a reading of Dave’s latest column in The Nation magazine, entitled: “Why Does Anybody Play Football Anymore?” Finally, the ‘Just Stand Up’ award goes to Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha for defending himself in court against the NYPD, and winning. Tweet Dave at http://twitter.com/edgeofsports, our in-studio guest Christian Dotson-Pierson at http://twitter.com/profcdp and let producer Dan Bloom know what you liked - and what you didn’t at http://twitter.com/danbloomsports. You can also write us at edgeofsports@slate.com Music credits: Public Enemy on Soul Train, Public Enemy - Rebel Without a Pause, Public Enemy - Harder Than You Think (instrumental), Public Enemy - He Got Game ft. Stephen Stills, Public Enemy - Fight The Power, Alexander Lewis & Brasstracks - Distant Memories (courtesy, Trapdoor Records) http://soundcloud.com/alexanderjlewis http://soundcloud.com/brasstracks http://soundcloud.com/trap-door-official Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy