Edge of Sports

Today we speak to the most influential person in basketball who never laced up sneakers or coached on a sideline: former Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro – the guy who connected sneaker money to so-called amateur hoops. He is also is the person who has become perhaps the most important spokesperson against the injustices the NCAA. I also have some "choice words" about an event I moderated last week with San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and Dr. Cornel West in front of 350 San Antonio high school students and most of the Spurs team. We also have our "Just Stand Up" award and a new segment we are titling Kaepernick Watch!

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Legendary sports sociologist Dr. Harry Edwards has been working with Colin Kaepernick and speaking in locker rooms around the country. We speak with him about the recent elections and the challenges as well as the opportunities it creates for this new generation of athlete-activists. We also ask Dr. Edwards what inspiration can be drawn from the life of his old friend Muhammad Ali. In addition, I have some choice words about critics of Colin Kaepernick's decision not to vote, we have an extended just stand up award section for every athlete already standing up to Trump and we take calls about how folks are dealing with the altered political landscape.Full notes at http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com—http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@slate.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-428-3343 (EDGE)

ESPN The Magazine's Howard Bryant joins the podcast to talk about the only issue that matters. The election of Donald Trump was a slap in the face to anyone who believes that racism, sexual assault and anti-immigrant sentiment are are bad. But the election of Trump - with a minority of the vote remember - is far more complicated that just saying it's racism. It's the Democratic Party, it's the Clinton campaign, and it's the way working class people - white, black and brown - have been crushed in this country. We also have an inspiring Just Stand Up award to the only three-time winner Wisconsin's Nigel Hayes.Full notes at http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com—http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@slate.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-428-3343 (EDGE)

We are honored to speak with Reverend Jesse Jackson about his trip to North Dakota to fight the Dakota access pipeline (DAPL,) giving Jackie Robinson's eulogy, and playing one-on-one against Marvin Gaye. We are equally honored to speak to native American journalist Jackie Keeler about her experiences in North Dakota, its connection to a Native American mascots in sports, and why the DAPL resistance has produced, in her mind, "the most unified native response since Little Big Horn." We also have Choice Words about what politics could look like in the NBA locker room after their greatest fan leaves the White House, the Just Stand Up goes to two Wisconsin players with their eyes on the prize: Bronson Koenig and - again - to Nigel Hayes.https://twitter.com/RevJJackson | http://rainbowpush.orghttps://twitter.com/jfkeeler—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@slate.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-428-3343 (EDGE)—music: “I Am Somebody” by DJ Greg Street (http://twitter.com/DjGregStreet) | “Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye (Autograf remix http://soundcloud.com/autografmusic) | “Crazy Horse” by John Trudell (http://johntrudell.com/) | “We Are the Halluci Nation” by A Tribe Called Red ft. John Trudell (http://atribecalledred.com/) | “So Wat Cha Sayin” by EPMD  | “Power,” “Saint Pablo” (remake by Jehf Slaps https://twitter.com/JehfSlaps) “Touch The Sky” by Kanye West | “Work It” by Missy Elliott (http://missy-elliott.com/) | “Got Nowhere” by State Property 

In a week dominated by stories about former New York Giants place kicker Josh Brown and the NFL's continual coverup of domestic violence, we speak to Jessica Luther, author of the book “Unsportsmanlike Conduct: College Football and the Politics of Rape.” This week I also have some choice words of my own about the Giants’ shameful handling of the Josh Brown incident and why Roger Goodell should, in my opinion, no longer be employed. Lastly, the ‘Just Stand Up’ award goes to Denasia Lawrence, a National Anthem singer with a purpose.Jessica Luther: http://jessicawluther.com | https://twitter.com/scATX Unsportsmanlike Conduct: College Football and the Politics of Rape http://www.akashicbooks.com/catalog/unsportsmanlike-conduct/Zirin column, ‘Another Shocking Domestic Violence Case Is Rocking the NFL’ https://www.thenation.com/article/another-shocking-domestic-violence-case-is-rocking-the-nfl—http://www.edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@slate.com | Edge of Sports hotline: 401-428-3343 (EDGE)—music: “Safe From Harm” - Massive Attack http://massiveattack.co.uk | “U.N.I.T.Y.” - Queen Latifah http://queenlatifah.com (Kay Gee & Mufi production) | “FML” - Kanye West http://www.kanyewest.com (Erik Giovani remake https://soundcloud.com/erikgiovani) | “Warning” - Notorious B.I.G.  (Easy Mo Bee production) | “All the Way Up” - Fat Joe & Remy Ma (Edsclusive Cool & Dre production) | “Basketball” - Kurtis Blow (J.B. Moore & Robert Ford Jr. production)

John Cusack is a renowned actor, best known for classics like Being John Malkovich, Better Off Dead, Say Anything, and for my money, the greatest sports movie of all time, Eight Men Out. Cusack is also a serious political thinker with a new book “Things That Can and Cannot Be Said: Essays and Conversations,” co-written with Indian author Arundhati Roy about a range of subjects from patriotism, war, resistance, and empire – most centrally a reflection on a trip Cusack took with Roy and famed whistleblower of the Pentagon Papers, Daniel Ellsberg to meet with NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden. We speak with Cusack on his book, his beloved Chicago Cubs, patriotism, the anthem protests of Colin Kaepernick and I slip in a couple of movie questions as well. I also have some "choice words" about Kaepernick's first start of the season in Buffalo and “Just Stand Up” awards go to Wisconsin Badger Nigel Hayes and LA Dodger Adrian Gonzalez.Things that Can and Cannot Be Said: Essays and Conversations by Arundhati Roy and John Cusack http://www.haymarketbooks.org/pb/Things-That-Can-and-Cannot-Be-Said
Freedom of the Press Foundation https://freedom.press/‘The Woke Tailgate’: The Brave of Buffalo Kneel in Solidarity With Colin Kaepernick https://www.thenation.com/article/the-woke-tailgate-the-brave-of-buffalo-kneel-in-solidarity-with-colin-kaepernick/—http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@slate.com—music: “The Magnificent Seven” by The Clash http://www.theclash.com/ | “Coolie Dance Riddim” - Cordell "Scatta" Burrell | “Step Into a World (Rapture's Delight)” - KRS-ONE (Jesse West production) | The Swanky Modes (Sam Moore and Junior Walker) - Ordinary Man (Tapeheads Soundtrack) | “In Your Eyes” - Peter Gabriel (Orchestral version) http://petergabriel.com |   “Hail Mary” & “Keep Ya Head Up” - 2Pac (Hurt-M-Badd & DJ Daryl production) | “All the Way Up” - Fat Joe & Remy Ma (Edsclusive Cool & Dre production) | “Slow Down” - Brand Nubian

In an attempt to excuse his own repugnant behavior, Donald Trump unwittingly started a real conversation on what he dubbed “locker room talk” about sexual violence against women. Our guest, Detroit Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy, is the rare pro athlete who is awake to this issue. Levy writes, advocates, and fundraises to fight domestic and sexual abuse. We also speak to him about the Kaepernick protests. Then, we have ’Choice Words’ about my own experience with "locker room talk" and the ‘Just Stand Up’ award goes to Mets broadcaster Ron Darling for speaking out against the “rage of the inarticulate.”The Nation column, Not in My Locker Room https://www.thenation.com/article/not-in-my-locker-room‘Man Up,’ DeAndre Levy essay http://www.theplayerstribune.com/deandre-levy-sexual-assault-awareness/‘Our Issue’ T-Shirts, benefiting the Michigan Women’s Foundation and ‘Detroit Hustles Harder’ https://www.crowdrise.com/our-issueDetroit Hustles Harder https://fb.com/detroithustlesharderofficialTo purchase 'Our Issue' merchadise, visit Detroit Hustles Harder: https://divisionstreetboutique.com/collections/our-issueEnough SAID (Enough Sexual Assault in Detroit) http://enoughsaiddetroit.orgEdge of Sports was featured on Episode 1 of ’The Big Listen’ from WAMU-FM/NPR. Thank you, Lauren Ober. http://biglisten.org/shows/2016-10-08/episode-1-santa-is-a-big-fan—http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@slate.com—Please take our survey: http://panoply.fm/survey—music: “Ike’s Mood” by Isaac Hayes https://isaachayes.com | “Take It Easy” by Mad Lion (produced by KRS-One) http://www.krs-one.com | “Midnight in a Perfect World,” “Building Steam With A Grain Of Salt,” “Nobody Speak” by DJ Shadow http://djshadow.com

We speak to Dr. Walter Beach, starter on the Cleveland Browns 1964 Championship team and member of the famed Muhammad Ali Summit about the politics of sports and racism: what has changed and what remains the same from his days in the NFL. He is as deep a thinker as you will find and this will "wow" you. We also speak about Colin Kaepernick's comments about the Trump=Clinton elections, the gorilla taking the field with an All Lives Matter sign, and we have a Just Stand Up award for a player released from the NFL after taking a knee in London, and the East Carolina band.The Nation, Colin Kaepernick Has a Right to Hate Both Candidateshttps://www.thenation.com/article/colin-kaepernick-has-a-right-to-hate-both-candidates/—Please take our survey at http://panoply.fm/survey—http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@slate.com—music: “Classic Man” - Jidenna http://jidenna.com (Jidenna, Nana Kwabena, Nate "Rocket" Wonder production) | “They Don't Care About Us” - Michael Jackson http://michaeljackson.com | “One Love” - Nas (Q-Tip production) & “Destroy & Rebuild” (Mike Risko & Baby Paul production) http://nasirjones.com | “Clique” - Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Big Sean (Hit-Boy production) http://www.hit-boy.com/ | “All the Way Up” - Fat Joe & Remy Ma (Edsclusive Cool & Dre production) | “Hot Sauce to Go” - Jadakiss (The Neptunes production) | Starboy - The Weeknd (Daft Punk production) http://theweeknd.com http://daftpunk.com

We bring sports and politics icon John Carlos in-studio to talk about how it feels to see a new generation of athletes replicate his anthem protests of 1968. Dr. Carlos - who is having a wild week - also speaks to us about the opening of the new National Museum of African American History and Culture where he was part of the unveiling of a statue of himself, and two other two men on that iconic medal stand: Tommie Smith and Peter Norman. Carlos is also in town to visit the White House. He speaks about what it feels like to be re-embraced and who he still feels owes him a damn apology (spoiler: it's Brent Musburger.) We also have some choice words for Mike Ditka, we take listener calls and a Just Stand Up Award for the Castlemont Knights football team, showing some A plus solidarity with the protest of Colin Kaepernick.http://www.johncarlos68.com/ | https://twitter.com/DrJohnCarlos/ | https://www.instagram.com/drjohncarlos1968/The John Carlos Story: The Sports Moment That Changed the World by John Carlos and Dave Zirin http://www.haymarketbooks.org/hc/The-John-Carlos-StoryThe Unbearable Bigotry of Mike Ditka: https://www.thenation.com/article/the-unbearable-bigotry-of-mike-ditka/On the Passing of HBCU and Olympic Coaching Legend Ed Temple: https://www.thenation.com/article/on-the-passing-of-hbcu-and-olympic-coaching-legend-ed-temple/After Forty-four Years, It’s Time Brent Musburger Apologized to John Carlos and Tommie Smith: https://www.thenation.com/article/after-forty-four-years-its-time-brent-musburger-apologized-john-carlos-and-tommie-smith/—http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@slate.com—music: “Vision” - McCoy Tyner | Stevie Wonder - Live from NMAAHC opening https://youtu.be/M2wlGbNk8Sc |  “Touch the Sky” - Kanye West http://kanyewest.com (Just Blaze production https://twitter.com/justblaze) | “Simon Says” - Pharoahe Monch (Pharoahe Monch production http://pharoahe.com) | “D’Evils” - Jay Z http://lifeandtimes.com (DJ Premier production http://premierwuzhere.com, Crank Lucas remake https://twitter.com/crank_lucas) | “I Don't Know” - Slum Village http://slumvillage.com/ (J Dilla production http://j-dilla.com/) | “Used to Love U” - John Legend http://johnlegend.com (Kanye West production)

Iconic NBC broadcaster Bob Costas speaks about balancing the real world and the sports world, when politics rip through the games we often turn to for escape. We also have some 'choice words' about white athletes and the movement for Black Lives and we take and respond to messages left on the Edge of Sports hotline: 401-426-3343 (EDGE.) The ‘Just Stand Up’ award goes to the young people with the courage to kneel. This week's show is dedicated to Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott.The Nation: Bigots Beware: White Athletes Are Becoming Sympathetic to Anthem Protests https://www.thenation.com/article/bigots-beware-white-athletes-are-becoming-sympathetic-to-anthem-protests/—http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@slate.com—music: “Nothin’” - N.O.R.E. (The Neptunes production) | “Get Down” - Nas (Salaam Remi production) | “Book of Rhymes” - Nas (The Alchemist production) | “Real Friends” - Kanye West (Boi-1da production, JP Sounds remake) | “All the Way Up” - Fat Joe & Remy Ma (Edsclusive, Cool & Dre production, Diggz remake) | “Sky's the Limit” - The Notorious B.I.G. (Clark Kent production)

When Feyisa Lilesa crossed won silver at the 2016 Olympics, he raised his arms in an X formation, a symbol of solidarity with the Oromo Liberation struggle in his home of Ethiopia. We speak to Lilesa about why he fears for his life, who he holds dear as his athletic heroes and what message he has for Colin Kaepernick and USA athletes using their platform to speak out for social change. We also have choice words about the weekend of 9/11, national anthem protest in the NFL. We also have choice words about everyone who says that they support Colin Kaepernick but just "disapprove" of his methods. Finally a Just Stand Up award to Michael Oppong, a football player at Doherty Memorial High School in Worcester, Massachusetts who knelt during the national anthem despite the ire of his coach.Zirins ’Choice Words’ columns in The Nation: “Colin Kaepernick Is Winning” https://www.thenation.com/article/colin-kaepernick-is-winning/“Solidarity With Kaepernick Ripples Through the NFL on September 11” https://www.thenation.com/article/the-nfl-protest-you-didnt-hear-about-on-sunday/Feyisa Lilesa GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/2kykuuxs—http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@slate.com—music: “What’s My Name” DMX (Self Service production) | “Fayyisaa Leellisaa" by Ittiiqaa Tafarii | “Ruff Ryders Anthem” DMX (Swizz Beats production) | “Come Clean” by Jeru the Damaja (DJ Premier production) | Scarface “Guess Who’s Back?” (Kanye West production)

Before Colin Kaepernick, there was Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. In 1996, the Denver Nuggets guard said that on principle he could not stand for the national anthem because the flag in many countries represents "oppression and tyranny." He was fined, suspended, attacked, and yet we will hear on this week's podcast why he has no regrets. We will also hear what advice Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf has for Kaepernick and why he holds the words of Arundhati Roy and Malcolm X close to his heart. Abdul-Rauf also answers listeners questions including what it felt like to drop 51 points on John Stockton. This is - in my humble opinion - the best interview we've done in the history of the show.We also have some Choice Words about Megan Rapinoe's decision to stand - or kneel - in solidarity with Kaepernick. We also answer a listener call from Patrick, who left a message on our hotline: 401-436-EDGE (3343.) Our question for next week is: what athlete do you want to hear from on the issues that Colin Kapernick has raised. Lastly we have our "just stand up" award for someone who has yet to become visible.The Nation: This Is What Solidarity Looks Like: Why Soccer-Star Megan Rapinoe Stands With Colin Kaepernick https://www.thenation.com/article/this-is-what-solidarity-looks-like-why-soccer-star-megan-rapinoe-stands-with-colin-kaepernick//?nc=1By The Dawn's Early Light: Chris Jackson's Journey to Islam https://youtu.be/-ISc8DJFOMgArundhati Roy’s new book, The End of Imagination http://www.haymarketbooks.org/pb/The-End-of-Imagination—http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@slate.com—instrumentals: Kanye West: Saint Pablo, Wolves (http://kanyewest.com) remakes by JEHF SLAPS & XVBarbar Beats http://jehfslaps.net, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcp3LNlpt-At_jXhFiQ8Zcg | Missy Elliott: Sock It 2 Me (Timbaland production, Kaytranada remix) https://twitter.com/MissyElliott http://timbalandmusic.com http://kaytranada.com http://soundcloud.com/kaytranada | Drake: Hotline Bling, JDP remake http://www.drakeofficial.com/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrNo14wVl-WSVqZzGyyXRxA

We speak to Olympic gold-medal swimmer Anthony Ervin about Colin Kaepernick's anthem protest against police violence, Ervin's book ‘Chasing Water,’ and life since winning gold in Rio. Then, choice words about, and then from, an athletic activist who walked in Kaepernick's path, Toni Smith–Thompson. The ‘Just Stand Up’ award goes to Khaled Beydoun for his look at how Kaepernick is being dealt with in the sewers of sports radio. Finally, we answer a phone message from listener Ronnie that asked the Edge of Sports hotline why we speak about athletic resistance at all.Speak your mind by calling (401) 236-3343 (EDGE.) Let us know what you think of Colin Kaepernick’s actions. Also, at this crucial moment, which sports talkers are doing it right, and who is making a fool of themselves? (401) 236-3343 (EDGE.)Anthony Ervin: https://twitter.com/AnthonyErvinhis book, ‘Chasing Water: Elegy of an Olympian’ http://akashicbooks.com/catalog/chasing-waterToni Smith-Thompson: https://twitter.com/mstonijDZ column, ‘Thoughts on Colin Kaepernick From an Athlete Who Walked That Path’https://www.thenation.com/article/thoughts-on-colin-kaepernick-from-an-athlete-who-walked-that-path/Khaled Beydoun: http://twitter.com/KhaledBeydounZirin: ‘America Needs to Listen to What Colin Kaepernick Is Actually Trying to Say’https://www.thenation.com/article/america-needs-to-listen-to-what-colin-kaepernick-is-actually-trying-to-say/—http://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@slate.com—instrumentals: Souls of Mischief (A-Plus production) http://hieroglyphics.com https://twitter.com/hieroaplus | Back Star - Definition (Hi-Tek production) https://twitter.com/HiTek | Gang Starr (DJ Premier production) http://premierwuzhere.com | Notorious BIG (DJ Premier production) | Missy Elliott (Timbaland production) https://twitter.com/MissyElliott http://timbalandmusic.com

San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick decided to sit during the national anthem because he is "not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses Black people and people of color." In a special edition of the podcast, we have DeMaurice Smith, Executive Director of the NFL Players Association who speaks on what the union can, and cannot do, to protect Kaepernick, and why the NFLPA - and not the NFL - is his "family" at this moment in time.We want to hear your opinion of Kaepernick’s actions and statements or what you thought of DeMaurice Smith’s interview. Call the Edge of Sports hotline at (401) 426-EDGE (3343.)DeSmith twitter: https://twitter.com/DeSmithNFLPA | https://twitter.com/NFLPAhttp://edgeofsportspodcast.com | http://twitter.com/edgeofsports | http://fb.com/edgeofsportspod | email us: edgeofsports@slate.com—music by: Nas (Chucky Thompson production), Mobb Deep (Havoc production)