Commercials with the tagline, “Football is Family,” and initiatives to spotlight the mothers and wives of players are simply not enough.
Sports
Sports Editorial: Unity in the NFL? Only to protect the Shield
by Justin Chen [email protected] Ever since Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling protest against American racism began, there has been tension between players and ownership in the NFL. With ownership fearing blowback from protests during the anthem, the NFL seemed divided. Few athletes protested during the anthem, and often endured boos from their fans for their actions. Owners…
Sports
Winning and losing, but mostly losing: on being a Browns fan
This year, you will probably see a lot more Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Indians fans than you have previously. The Cavs NBA title win and the Indians MLB runner-up status have new Cleveland fans crawling out of the woodwork. One thing I can guarantee is that this new revival of Cleveland sports will not extend…
Sports
Don’t count the Falcons out of Super Bowl LI
On Sunday, February 5, the Atlanta Falcons will take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI. The Patriots, one of the NFL’s most successful teams, will be making their 8th Super Bowl appearance in search of a fifth Vince Lombardi Trophy. Meanwhile, Atlanta will be making just its second ever appearance in a…
Sports
NFL frustrates, loses fans due to poor leadership decisions
It’s no secret that the NFL’s ratings are down. The narrative is becoming ubiquitous both online and in print, and given the turmoil that the NFL is experiencing, it’s not really much of a surprise. However, contrary to what Roger Goodell might say in press conferences, it’s actually not all that complicated a matter. The…
Letters from Carrigan, Sports
Friday Morning Quarterback: Why Kaepernick’s kneel matters
It’s hard to believe, but Blaine Gabbert’s backup is the most talked-about man in the NFL right now. Colin Kaepernick’s career has taken a number of unusual turns for him to end up as second-string quarterback but first-string conversation starter. And it truly is a conversation, national in scope and quite polarizing. Kaepernick has leveraged…
Sports
Flagrant Fouls: How the media treats player conduct issues
We idolize our professional athletes because they amaze us. They amaze us with their gravity-defying jumps and sublime displays of technical skill, showing us the very pinnacle of what the human body can achieve. We pay them millions of dollars, pack arenas and even wear their names on our backs, all in celebration of their…
Sports
Boehme: Openly gay draft prospect will force NFL to confront prejudices
Prior to Feb. 9, analysts predicted University of Missouri defensive end Michael Sam to be selected between the third and seventh rounds of the NFL Draft. On Feb. 9, Sam came out to the public as gay in interviews with the The New York Times and ESPN. If drafted, he would become the first openly…
Sports
Richard Sherman and Outrage in the NFL
Following the NFL requires an unhealthy amount of ignorance. Focus on what happens between the sidelines and one’s mind immediately turns to the dozens of micro-concussions occurring on every drive. Watch the broadcast and one cannot avoid the advertisements and shots of cheerleaders that cultivates the most misogynistic culture out of all the major sports….
Sports
NFL BULLY CULTURE: TWO PERSPECTIVES
Stephen Straub: Imagine, if it pleases you, that you work your dream job out of college. This is the job that you’ve wanted since you were a child. Your passion dictated the school you went to. This dream job absorbs your life. Your body, mind and spirit are put to the test regularly, but a…