Edge of Sports

On this week's episode of the Edge of Sports podcast, we interview radical educator Jesse Hagopian and how a crew of Seattle activists were able to get Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll to wear shoes with a bracing political message.We also have Choice Words about Brittany Griner's release and some words about the lates sportswriting giant, Grant Wahl. We also have a Just Stand Up award for the person who ran on a World Cup field to protest the exploitation going on behind the games. We have a Just Sit Down award for Jerry Jones, not simply due to the leak of a 65-year old photo he’s in depicting classic American racism, but also because of his racist track record running “America’s team.”Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe.Jesse HagopianTwitter: @JessedHagopianhttps://www.zinnedproject.org/news/t4bl-campaign-my-cause-my-cleats/Zirin, A Vindication for Agitation: Brittney Griner Is Coming Homehttps://www.thenation.com/article/world/brittney-griner-free/—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 Tim Bella author of the new “definitive” biography of hoopster and hall of fame talker Charles Barkley. We talk to Bell about how Barkley’s upbringing and experiences shaped Chuck into the person that we see every week on our TV sets.We also have Choice Words about I also have some choice words about the politics surrounding the push for Brittney Griner’s freedom. We have a Just Stand Up award to the person that ran on a World Cup field to protest the exploitation going on behind the games. We also have a Just Sit Down award for Jerry Jones, not simply due to the leak of a 65-year old photo he’s in which depicts classic American racism, but also because of his racist track record running “America’s team.”Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe. Tim BellaTwitter: @TimBellahttps://www.harpercollins.com/products/barkley-timothy-bella?variant=40128049512482Zirin, The Response to Brittney Griner’s Capture Is an Indictment of the Right and the “Left”https://www.thenation.com/article/world/brittney-griner-russia-putin-right-left/—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 documentarian Isaac Solotaroff about his new project on Al Jazeera English, Bloodsport, a harrowing look at concussions and the NFL. We also talk about a new report that shows early CTE detection could be a scientific breakthrough very soon.We also have ‘Choice Words’ about Kyrie Irving, anti-Semitism, and his frightening new allies. We also have a ‘Just Stand Up’ and 'Just Sit Down’ award to Jaylen Brown for rightfully pointing out the hypocrisies of many Kyrie critics and Jaylen Brown for not giving a stronger condemnation of the widely citied film’s antisemitism.Isaac SolotaroffTwitter: @Isaac_Solotarofhttps://isaacsolotaroff.nyc/Zirin, Will Players Help Raise Awareness About the Horrors Surrounding the World Cup?https://www.thenation.com/article/world/human-rights-abuses-qatar-world-cup/—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 New York City youth basketball coach - and one time NYC Marathoner - Arya Shirazi about the state of the NBA. We also have ‘Choice Words’ about Kyrie Irving, anti-Semitism, and his frightening new allies. Zirin, Kyrie Irving and the Fraught History of Our Collective Liberationhttps://www.thenation.com/article/society/kyrie-irving-anti-semitism-film/—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 spoke to sportswriter Chuck Modiano about shock NFL MVP candidate Geno Smith, quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, Chuck predicted this for Smith when others did not. We talk about what he saw. Also I have a tribute to my favorite writer, the recently departed Mike Davis. Chuck ModianoTwitter: @ChuckModi1https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/insane-untapped-potential-giants-backup-qb-geno-smith-article-1.3653113Zirin, Is Portland About to Have Two Supporter-Owned Soccer Teams?https://www.thenation.com/article/society/portland-soccer-thorns-timbers-ownership/—Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we talked to Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, former NBA player and legendary athlete-activist about his new book In The Blink of an Eye, his new memoir put out by Kaepernick Publishing. Mahmoud talks about his decision to write about his story, who his influences are, and his decision to team with Kaepernick Publishing.We also have ‘Choice Words’ about Brittney Griner's prison conditions and the pressure we must apply to bring her home. We also have a ‘Just Stand Up’ and 'Just Sit Down’ award to Iranian rock climber Elnaz Rekabi for her brave protest and Draymond Green for an act of inexcusable violence and Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder whose time may be coming to an end. We also have Jake’s Takes NBA edition. All this and more on this week’s show!Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe. Mahmoud Abdul-RaufTwitter: @RaufMahmoudhttps://www.kaepernickpublishing.com/in-the-blink-of-an-eyeZirin, On Her Birthday, We Learned About Brittney Griner’s Sufferinghttps://www.thenation.com/article/society/brittney-griner-russia-prison/—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 talked to Derek Silva, co-author of an article in the Guardian about racial epithets, college athletics, and what occurred at BYU when Duke volleyball player Rachel Richardson faced racist taunts and was subsequently told by BYU officials that she did not in fact hear them.We also have ‘Choice Words’ about the way that the media is covering Aaron Judge’s home run chase and the erasure of Barry Lamar Bonds. We also have a ‘Just Stand Up’ and 'Just Sit Down’ award to Cherelle Griner for courageously coming forward and talking about the plight of Brittney Griner in Russia and Draymond Green for an act of inexcusable violence. All this and more on this week’s show! Twitter: @derekcrimhttps://www.ubcpress.ca/power-playedZirin, Aaron Judge Is Great—but Don’t Erase Barry Bondshttps://www.thenation.com/article/society/aaron-judge-barry-bonds/—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

Social movements tend to arise within the world of sports during periods of upsurge and upheaval. But what about times of authoritarianism, dictatorship, or even fascism? What is the social role of the athlete during periods of reaction?I recently had the pleasure of giving a talk at the 2022 Socialism conference in Chicago, where I addressed all of these questions. This week's episode of the Edge of Sports podcast is a recording of that talk. Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe. Zirin, Sue Bird Sets a Standard and Says Goodbye to the WNBAhttps://www.thenation.com/article/society/sue-bird-retirement-wnba/—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 Prof. Abdullah Al-Arian, editor of the new book Football in the Middle East about everything from the Qatari World Cup to Palestinian soccer and resistance.We also have “Choice Words” about Serena Williams's retirement, incredible longevity, and unsurpassed dominance in her sport. We also have “Just Stand Up” and “Just Sit Down” awards to the NBA for taking a stand and providing calendar space for voting on the midterms this year and their attempt at controlling the tenor of politics coming out of the league. All that and more on this episode of The Edge of Sports Podcast! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week we speak to David Maraniss, one of the great journalists of our time, who has written a new book on the extremely well-known but frankly little-known athletic superstar Jim Thorpe and what he faced as a trailblazing indigenous athlete. We also have Choice Words about the 100th birthday of the legendary Rachel Robinson. We also have a Just Stand Up award for South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston for calling out ESPN’s disrespect of women athletes and we have Just Sit Down awards for the Cleveland Browns, who have cast their loss with Deshaun Watson and seem to have no shame about it. All that and more on this episode of The Edge of Sports Podcast! Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe. David MaranissTwitter: @davidmaranisshttps://davidmaraniss.com/library/path-lit-by-lightning-the-life-of-jim-thorpe/Zirin, Aliyah Boston Makes ESPN Look Smallhttps://www.thenation.com/article/society/aliyah-boston-espn/—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