YourBlackSports

While decisions are still in the air about whether or not he’ll be playing overseas during the NBA lockout, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant has made a decision regarding the 2012 Olympics.

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NCAA Athletes Start a New Season with No Labor Rights, No Compensation and No Help for Their Families

2011-08-10T11:42:00.001-04:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action

NCAA athletics has become the new prohibition – the illogical construct that creates a destructive underground economy because leadership is being guided by an illusion of what should be, rather than confronting the NCAA for what it really is: a professional sports league. Some of our most highly educated figures within academia are forced to convince themselves that a multi-billion dollar sports entertainment behemoth should be able to get away with not paying its primary employees.

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Mayweather’s Dad Says that Pacquiao Should Submit to a Drug Test in the United States

2011-08-07T23:43:00.001-04:00

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Former NBA Player Arrested at the Airport at Gunpoint

2011-08-05T09:37:00.001-04:00

By JasmineHughes

Legal trouble continues for Former NBA player Darius Miles. The 29-year-old was arrested at Lambert St. Louis International Airport for trying to bring a loaded gun onto a flight. Transportation Security Administration workers discovered the gun in X-ray screening Wednesday afternoon.

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Why Albert Haynesworth Isn’t Worth $100 Million to Anyone

2011-08-03T13:54:00.001-04:00

by Renee Greene, Your Black World

Albert Haynesworth, a Washington Redskins trade, still wasn’t cutting it with his conditioning tests for the New England Patriots … until a few hours ago. Within the last few hours, according to USA Today‘s “The Huddle,” Haynesworth not only showed up at practice this past Sunday evening, but showed out.

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Tiger Woods Come Back to the Green This Week

2011-08-01T15:34:00.001-04:00

by Ayvaunn Penn, Your Black World

Tiger Woods will be back on his game this week — in the literal sense. It has been three months since he has been on the course. On July 28th, however, Woods made a public statement saying that he will be back on the green this week at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio.

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NFL Lockout May be Ready to End

2011-07-25T17:35:00.001-04:00

By JasmineHughes

The NFL labor issue is almost over. The sides put the final touches on a new collective bargaining agreement to end the lockout early Monday and football will soon be back in business.

The NFL Association executive committee is gathering in Washington on Monday to vote to recommend the deal to the 32 players representatives, who will then recommend the deal to the 1,900 players. The voting process will begin Monday, July 25th, 2011.

According to a source, if the players approve the deal Monday, as expected, beginning Tuesday clubs can start signing their draft choices and rookie free agents. They can also begin talking to veteran free agents, but signings can’t begin until Friday at 6 p.m.

Teams are permitted to report to training camp 15 days before their first preseason game. As a result, camps will open for 10 teams each on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The lockout began on March 11 and has been in effect for 136 days. Owners voted 31-0-1 last week in Atlanta to ratify the deal. The players held off their vote, negotiations continued over the weekend and the final points were agreed to very early Monday morning.

This will put an end to the longest work stoppage in NFL history. But the lockout will be replaced by the wildest free agent period in NFL history as teams scramble to get players signed and fill their rosters for training camp. Because of the lack of an offseason, training camp rosters are being expanded from 80 to 90 players.

About jasminesnroses

Hello World. I'm a recent graduate of Rutgers University, trying to make my mark. I have many interests, curiosities and ideas. All of which can be found here. So stick around =)

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NBA Player Lorenzen Wright’s Death is Still a Mystery

2011-07-25T16:55:00.001-04:00

MEMPHIS, Tenn.— In the year since Lorenzen Wright’s decomposing body was found in a secluded field in southeast Memphis, his mother has kept pressing authorities to find whoever killed the former NBA player.

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PatriceJohnson: Would Shaq Pay to Have Someone Murdered?

2011-07-20T11:40:00.001-04:00

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Michael Vick Signs a New Deal with Nike

2011-07-02T18:07:00.001-04:00

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Venus and Serena Both Get Eliminated

2011-06-27T18:03:00.001-04:00

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Ron Artest Wants to Change His Name to “Metta World Peace”

2011-06-24T07:22:00.001-04:00

Has he really gone crazy?

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Red Bull Tournament Teaches Black Ballers How to Get a Way Into Prison

2011-06-12T18:41:00.001-04:00

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Boy Killed Outside of High School Birthday Party

2011-06-07T11:46:00.001-04:00

by: PatriceJohnson, Your Black World

Ryan Royall, 17…

As an amazing student and standout basketball player at Hillcrest High School, Ryan Royall hoped that his love for basketball would one day help him to be able to get a scholarship to go off to college… But all of his dreams of going to college and making a better life for himself and his family were shattered on June 5th at approximately 12:30 a.m.

Royall was leaving a birthday party at Ho-Chunk Sports and Expo Center in south suburban Lynwood with his friend, Olajuwan Harris on that Sunday night. As they headed to their car they heard a disturbance in another parking lot and right after that gun shots rang out. Both of the boys hit the ground.

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Dwayne Wade Writes to Rep for Single Fathers Everywhere

2011-06-07T11:01:00.001-04:00

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Matrix Author: “Neo Character was Designed After Muhammad Ali”–Meant to be Played by a Black Man

2011-06-06T02:53:00.001-04:00

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What? Scottie Pippen Says that LeBron James is Better than Michael Jordan

2011-05-27T19:08:00.001-04:00

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NCAA Exploitation Mocked in “Crack Baby Basketball League”

2011-05-27T01:09:00.001-04:00

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And the Old Man Becomes the Champion

2011-05-24T11:35:00.001-04:00

Yes, Bernard Hopkins wins another belt at the age of 46.

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NCAA Reconsiders Paying College Athletes

2011-05-22T11:35:00.001-04:00

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Race-Baiting by NBC? White Females Claim Black Athletes Raped Them

2011-05-21T13:06:00.001-04:00

Two white female students claim that black athletes raped them. But the way the story is presented is racially-disturbing.

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Student Says Wake Forest Basketball Player Forced Her to Have Oral Sex

2011-05-21T12:04:00.001-04:00

Maggie Hurt made some stunning allegations on The Today Show.

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Dr. Boyce: Tiger Falls Out of the Top 10: Why It Breaks My Heart

2011-05-19T11:03:00.001-04:00

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OJ Gets His Appeal Denied

2011-05-18T20:51:00.001-04:00

It looks like OJ is going to be in prison for a while.

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Chad Ochocinco Says He Wants to be a Professional Bull Rider

2011-05-11T10:03:00.001-04:00

Sometimes you just have to shake your head. If only these dudes would get an education.

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Technorati Tags: chad ochocinco,black athletes,black male athletes,black news,bull rider

Reggie Bush Takes Heat Again for Twitter Remarks

2011-05-11T08:57:00.001-04:00

Maybe athletes shouldn’t be using Twitter as much as they do.

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Yes, Our Kids Need Year-Round Education

2011-05-10T10:26:00.001-04:00

Should our kids go to school year round? This guy thinks it’s mandatory in order for the US to be able to compete.

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LeBron James Should Apologize for “Retarded” Comment

2011-05-09T20:06:00.001-04:00

LeBron James is in hot water after remarks me made to a reporter.

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Technorati Tags: black athletes,black celebrities

Lakers are Done and Went Out in Poor Style

2011-05-09T10:38:00.001-04:00

Mavs send the Lakers home packing.

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Technorati Tags: black athletes,black celebrities,black news

Pacquiao Bosses Around Mosley in the Ring

2011-05-08T15:52:00.001-04:00

Shane Mosley Gets Spanked in quick order. Click to read

Rashard Mendenhall Loses Sponsorship Deal Over bin Laden Tweets

2011-05-06T16:16:00.001-04:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black World – Scholarship in Action

Rashard Mendenhall from the Pittsburgh Steelers has been dropped by one of his sponsors, Champion over tweets that were controversial in the midst of the Osama bin Ladenkilling this week.

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Is Being Black and Rich a Crime?

2011-05-05T16:22:00.001-04:00

Your Black World reports

Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans found himself in the center of police attention recently when an anonymous citizen called the police to report “high-end cars” coming into and out of Johnson’s complex. The police suspected drug activity, so they went to the house to investigate. The Orlando Police quickly realized that there was nothing illegal happening at Johnson’s house, so they left.

Johnson then sent this note out onto Twitter:

“Y did the police just walk in my condo saying they think it’s drug activity because it’s alot of traffic but it was the MTV camera crew.” He then added, “Hard being young, black and rich.”

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Dancing with the Stars’ Hines Ward Arrested at Gunpoint by LAPD

2011-05-05T11:10:00.001-04:00

Your Black World Reports

NFL star and “Dancing with the Stars” contestant, Hines Ward was handcuffed at gunpoint around 2 AM. LAPD officers spotted the vehicle, pulled them over, ordering both Hines and the female driver out of the car at gunpoint. They were both handcuffed.

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Blake Griffin is the NBA Rookie of the Year

2011-05-05T08:06:00.001-04:00

Your Black World Reports

Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers is officially the NBA Rookie of the Year. Griffin was second in the NBA in dunks, and one of only four NBA players to average 20 points and 10 rebounds this year. He is also the first rookie to achieve this feat in the last 10 years.

He was the first rookie since Elvin Hayes (1968 – 69) to lead the lead in the number of games in which he had 20 points and 10 rebounds. He tied with Dwight Howard for the league lead in this category.

The Justice Department May Investigate the NCAA for Anti-Trust Violations

2011-05-04T20:38:00.001-04:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action

A letter was sent this week by the United States Department of Justice to the NCAA, stating that it has received several requests for an anti-trust investigation into the league’s current Bowl Championship Series (BCS) structure. The system is being criticized for making it difficult for teams in some conferences to qualify for the major bowls, costing them millions of dollars in revenue.

"Serious questions continue to arise suggesting that the current BCS system may not be conducted consistent with the competition principles expressed in federal antitrust laws," Assistant Attorney General Christine Varney said to NCAA President Mark Emmert.

The letter resulted shortly after Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, asked Attorney General Eric Holder to get involved in the matter. Hatch is an outspoken critic of the current system. Holder then told Hatch that a letter had been sent.

The letter, written by Varney, asks the NCAA why they do not have a playoff system when other sports have one. It also asks what steps have been taken to institute a playoff. Finally, the letter asks the NCAA if they can determine if there are parts of the BCS system that are not in the best interest of fans.

The NCAA is not required to respond to the letter, but legal experts expect them to do so. Although many anti-trust experts have considered the NCAA vulnerable to a Justice Department investigation for years, some don’t expect anything to happen after this letter is written:

"There is a problem, but not an antitrust problem," Gordon Schnell of the New York firm Constantine Cannon told CNN.

What’s most interesting about this NCAA anti-trust inquiry is that these particular violations are only considered by our politicians because fans are affected. The NCAA has long colluded to violate the labor rights of its athletes, many of whom are African American. The billions earned by the NCAA at the hands of unpaid college athletes serves as arguably the greatest wealth extraction in the country right now. So, the anti-trust concerns are not simply in the market for football entertainment; they also exist in the labor market for college athletes.

The lawsuit filed on behalf of former college basketball star Ed O’Bannon provides hope that the NCAA’s labor and business practices will eventually be modified. Someone must confront the NCAA eventually and that confrontation will likely occur in the court of law. College athletes deserve the right to sell their services to a free labor market like everyone else, and that market should not be allowed to exist as a communist sweatshop.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of ALARM, the Athlete Liberation Academic Reform Movement and the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here

Lala and Carmelo on the View: Glad to be Back in NYC

2011-05-04T19:20:00.001-04:00

Brook Griffin, Your Black World

Carmelo Anthony and his wife Lala are doing the PR circuit for some reason.

Perhaps it’s because Carmelo’s Knicks got whooped in the playoffs by the Celtics. Either way, they appeared on the view recently and told the hosts how happy they are to be New Yorkers again.

The video is below or you can watch it by clicking here.

[blip.tv http://blip.tv/play/AYK41ykC]

Technorati Tags: black celebrities,black celebrity gossip,carmelo anthony,lala,the view

Dead NFL Player Dave Duerson would Not Have Qualified for Full Disability Benefits

2011-05-04T16:56:00.001-04:00

By ALAN SCHWARZ Published: May 4, 2011

BOSTON — As the football world absorbs Monday’s news that Dave Duerson had the football-related brain damage he suspected before fatally shooting himself in February, an overlooked detail has emerged: had Duerson reached out for help via the N.F.L.’s disability plan, which he helped administer, his neurological injuries would not have qualified for a high level of benefit, if any at all.

The disability program jointly run by the league and the players association gives its “football degenerative” award for total and permanent disability, up to $110,000 per year, for injuries deemed related to football that arise within 15 years of the player’s retirement. Anything that manifests itself later receives no more than $40,000, and players with neurological impairments have had difficulty getting that.

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Kenya Bell: The Basketball Wife of Charlie Bell Explains the Whole Stabbing Allegation in a Statement

2011-05-04T09:00:00.001-04:00

Your Black World Reports

Kenya Bell, formerly Miss Michigan USA and wife of NBA player Charlie Bell, released a statement about the allegations that she stabbed her husband with a box cutter earlier this week. In her statement, Bell had this to say:

"It is with regret that I have to issue a public statement regarding my marriage. For some time now my husband and I have been going through the process of getting a divorce. Like many couples, our relationship has deteriorated over time. Throughout this process I have always considered the interests of our children to be front and center. Unfortunately this private matter has spilled from one court to another, where I expect to be vindicated. For my family's sake I would ask that our privacy be respected. Thank-you, Kenya Bell"

Matthew Norwood, Bell’s attorney said that Kenya is denying that the incident took place as it’s been reported in media. "She's looking forward to vindicating herself," he said. "It's sad. If anybody knows Mrs. Bell, they know that this isn't who she is...It's not the way it's been portrayed."

Ms. Bell was arraigned in Genesee District Court Monday and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. She was also charged with domestic violence.

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NBA Player Charlie Bell Allegedly Stabbed by his Wife

2011-05-03T19:00:00.001-04:00

NBA player Charlie Bell on Tuesday downplayed reports that he had been stabbed with a box cutter by his estranged wife, former Miss Michigan, Kenya Bell.

Reports surfaced Monday saying the Golden State Warriors guard had been attacked by the ex-beauty queen, but Bell dismissed the alleged incident in a Twitter posting.

"I'm fine. I didn't get stabbed. Lol. #thatisall," Bell wrote.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Kenya Bell was charged with assault with a deadly weapon after she allegedly attacked her husband with a box cutter at his home near Flint, Michigan, Sunday.

Prosecutor David Leyton told the Free Press Charlie Bell suffered only minor injuries. He also told the Detroit paper two children were present at the time of the attack.

Kenya Bell, 35, who was crowned Miss Michigan USA in 2001, was reportedly released from jail Monday.

Her estranged husband joins a growing list of professional athletes who have fallen victim to alleged domestic attacks in recent weeks.

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Technorati Tags: charlie bell,black athletes,black celebrities,black celebrity gossip

Serena Williams’ Stalker Arrested

2011-05-03T17:26:00.001-04:00

Your Black World Reports

Patenema Ouedraogo, Serena Williams' 40-year-old stalker, was stopped by security guards Monday night when attempting to walk into Williams' South Florida gated subdivision.

Upon receipt of Ouedraogo's driver's license, authorities found that this man had been identified as a suspected stalker by Williams, and they arrested him. On previous occasions, not only did this man try to contact Williams three times, but he is also the same man who posed as her assistant in turn gaining undue access to her dressing room.

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NFL Player Gets in Trouble for Remarks about Bin Laden and Slavery

2011-05-03T14:46:00.001-04:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, YourBlackWorld.com – Scholarship in Action

Rashard Mendenhall of the Pittsburgh Steelers has been taking heat lately for making comments that many believe are in support of Osama Bin Laden. But rather than being supportive of Bin Laden, Mendenhall is simply stating that Americans are celebrating death just a little too much for his comfort:

"What kind of person celebrates death? It's amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We've only heard one side..." Mendenhall said on his Twitter account.

Adding to the controversy, Mendenhall went further by stating that he’s not exactly sure what happened on September 11.

"We'll never know what really happened. I just have a hard time believing a plane could take a skyscraper down demolition style."

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Technorati Tags: rashard mendenhall,black athletes

Former NFL Player Shot Saturday Night

2011-05-03T00:01:00.001-04:00

Your Black World Reports

Former NFL player R.W. McQuarters was shot by a masked man Saturday in Tulsa, OK, according to police. His injuries were non-life-threatening and the incident occurred as he was leaving a friend’s home.

"He heard several shots and felt himself being struck," Police St. Bill Goree said. He then drove himself to the hospital. The incident occurred shortly after midnight and the suspect was not apprehended.

McQuarters played in the NFL for 10 years, ending in 2008. He won a Super Bowl Championship with the New York Giants.

NFL Star Was Found to Have Had Serious Brain Injury When He Killed Himself

2011-05-02T17:59:00.001-04:00

BOSTON — The suicide of the former Chicago Bears star Dave Duerson became more alarming Monday morning, when Boston University researchers announced that Duerson’s brain had developed the same trauma-induced disease recently found in more than 20 deceased players.

The diagnosis adds a new and perhaps pivotal chapter to football’s still-unfolding narrative surrounding concussions. Duerson shot himself Feb. 17 in the chest rather than the head so that his brain could be examined by Boston University’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, which announced its diagnosis Monday morning in Boston.

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The Heat Take Down the Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semis

2011-05-02T01:01:00.001-04:00

MIAMI -- The facts of postseason life were turned inside-out by the Heat here Sunday. One team lacked cohesion and trust, and it wasn't Miami. One second unit played as if it's still learning how to blend in, and it wasn't Miami's. One contender acted like it had never been here before, and it wasn't Miami.

Was it arrogance or uncertainty that undid the Celtics throughout their 99-90 Game 1 loss? All they knew was that Paul Pierce (19 points and four turnovers) had himself thrown out after being outsmarted by Dwyane Wade with seven minutes remaining in the game. This as Wade overcame four horrible regular-season showings with 38 points (14-of-21), five assists, two blocks and but two turnovers in 37 terrific minutes.

Accused NFL Star Albert Haynesworth: “I Don’t Even Like Black Girls”

2011-05-01T08:40:00.001-04:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, YourBlackWorld.com – Scholarship in Action

It looks like Washington Redskins star Albert Haynesworth is having even more problems beyond the ones that led to the Redskins taking him off the field. Haynesworth has been accused of fondling a young waitress at the W Hotel. The government offered him a plea bargain, but he’s not taking it.

The prosecution sent a letter to Haynesworth’s attorneys offering to drop the sexual abuse charge against Haynesworth if he would agree to plead guilty to one count of simple sexual assault. His attorneys have turned down the offer and said they look forward to their day in court.

Haynesworth’s attorney, A. Scott Bolden, said that he feels the government’s case is very weak.

"All of the very inflated and beefed-up facts that the W employees have put together, to make fit nicely with the government case, the government has to prove those allegations now," Bolden said.

According to court papers, Haynesworth was at the W for a birthday party. The woman accusing him is a full-time college student working in the VIP area. The woman was clearing tables and Haynesworth wanted her to take his credit card. According to the woman, her hands were full, but the player kept pushing his card toward her, tapping her on her arms and shoulders.

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The Reality of Being a Football Star

2011-04-30T10:03:00.001-04:00

Watch as YBW’s Eshe White interviews a former football star about the realities of playing in the NFL

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWeut5p3pLE]

Technorati Tags: black athletes,african american athletes,eshe white

Cam Newton is the top Pick; Now the Questions Begin

2011-04-29T11:22:00.001-04:00

By Jason DeCrow, AP

NEW YORK — At least one major question about Cam Newton has been answered. The lights shined on Cam Newton after the Panthers made him the first overall pick on Thursday.

The lights shined on Cam Newton after the Panthers made him the first overall pick on Thursday.

The Carolina Panthers took less than five minutes to turn in their card and christen the NFL draft on Thursday night by selecting the much-scrutinized Auburn quarterback.

Now for the next round of questions.

"Everybody is not just going to stop and say, 'That's Cam, the No. 1 pick, and we can leave him alone,' " Newton said of his critics, as he met the press at Radio City Music Hall. "If anything, the floodgates have officially opened."

Newton, 21, is the 11th quarterback in the past 14 drafts to be selected with the top pick in the draft — which adds to a remarkable run in recent months that included leading the Tigers to a national championship and winning the Heisman Trophy.

He's the first player since Notre Dame's Leon Hart to be chosen with the top pick after winning the Heisman and a national title.

Yet Newton, 6-5, 248, was undoubtedly the most scrutinized player in the draft after playing in a spread offense at Auburn, and for just one season after transferring from Blinn (Texas) Junior College. Like any quarterback coming from a spread offense, Newton's chances for success will largely depend on whether he can make the transition to a pro-style offense, with a more sophisticated level of reading defenses.

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Technorati Tags: cam newton,black news,black athletes

Report: Newspapers and Websites Lack Diversity in Sports Reporting

2011-04-29T11:07:00.001-04:00

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Some 320 websites and newspapers that belong to Associated Press Sports Editors slightly improved their racial hiring practices last year, according to a study released Wednesday, though they failed again to make any strides in gender hiring for key newsroom positions.

The report, released every two years by the University of Central Florida's Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports, gave those outlets a C plus, up from a C in 2008, for racial hires and an F for gender hires in jobs including sports editor, columnist, reporter and copy editor.

This is the third report that's been done for APSE since 2006.

Overall, it said, sports departments were still being led mostly by white men.

"When survival is at stake, like it is for so many places, I think the danger is that things that will be of long-term importance are less of a priority than say, keeping the economy of a newspaper going," said the study's primary author, Richard Lapchick. "I think it happens in all kinds ofbusinesses ... The old saying of last hired, first fired is still too much at play."

Lapchick said perhaps the worst news from the study was that the percentage of sports editors who were women or people of color fell 2.3 percentage points from 11.7 percent in 2008 to 9.42 percent in 2010. White males increased by 3 percentage points for sports editors.

The report showed that 97 percent of the sports editors at APSE newspapers and websites in 2010 were white, and 94 percent of sports editors overall were men. Just 5.5 percent of sports staffs are black men and 3 percent Latino men. Only 11.4 percent are women.

Latino and Asian men increased by an average .54 percent in all categories covered, except sports editors. Latino men's biggest gain was in assistant sports editors (1.03 percent) and Asian men saw the largest gain in columnists (.66 percent).

ESPN formed a substantial part of the totals for sports editors and columnists both in racial and gender categories. It has two African-American sports editors and 23 African-American men and women columnists. Those figures represented more than 20 percent of the sports editors and half of the 41 columnists of color at newspapers with at least 250,000 circulations.

Lapchick urged APSE to adopt a "Ralph Wiley Rule," after the late African-American sports writer. It would be akin to the NFL's Rooney Rule, which calls for a diverse pool of candidates to be considered for all key vacancies.

"I am also encouraged that APSE has continued to request the report knowing that the news would not be good," Lapchick said. "I applaud its determination to get better."

Phil Kaplan, sports editor at the Knoxville News Sentinel, whose term as APSE president ends in June, said that while he applauds Lapchick's call, he isn't sure that it would be something the organization could mandate.

"I haven't discussed it with anyone yet, but it would be difficult to enforce," Kaplan said. "Our organization always wants to encourage diversity in newsrooms. There's no issues with that. But I don't know as a group if we could enforce that because of the corporate ties of many of our members."

Michael Anastasi, managing editor for Sports at the Salt Lake City Tribune, APSE's incoming president, said the organization has already implemented several initiatives aimed at fostering diversity in a changing media climate.

Earlier this month Anastasi participated in a panel discussion along with members of the Association for Women in Sports Media at the National Sports Journalism Center in Indianapolis.

"I am encouraged," AWSM president Amy Moritz said. "We've had good conversations and exchanges about ideas about how our organizations can work together and increase opportunities in sports departments, and particularly in management positions. That's one of the key areas -- getting diverse people in the decision making positions. I'm encouraged by the commitment and that other people are taking it seriously."

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Technorati Tags: black news,african americnan news

Dr. boyce: Cam Newton Goes Number One - Some Quick Advice

2011-04-28T22:23:00.001-04:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black World – Scholarship in Action

Auburn University’s Cam Newton capped off his stunning win of the Heisman Trophy by being the #1 draft pick by the Carolina Panthers in this year’s NFL draft.

I’d like to make some quick recommendations for Cam as he begins his life of fame and fortune:

1) Save your money: Most of your fellow NFL players were sweating out the lockout because they weren’t able to make payments on all the cars and houses that they can’t afford. Get a good financial manager you can trust, learn to start your own business, and make sure you’re educated enough to understand what other people are doing with your money. If you lose everything, no one is going to care.

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Technorati Tags: cam newton,black athletes,black news

A Judge Lifts the NFL Lockout

2011-04-28T09:46:00.001-04:00

*A federal judge has sided with NFL players and granted their request for a preliminary injunction to lift the lockout imposed by team owners.

The ruling gives the players an early victory in their fight with NFL owners over a new collective bargaining agreement in the $9-billion business.

Denver Broncos Player Jason Hunter Stabbed by His Girlfriend

2011-04-28T08:52:00.001-04:00

Your Black World Reports

Jason Hunter of the Denver Broncos was stabbed by his girlfriend Wednesday morning, according to police. Hunter is currently in stable condition.

"There case is still being investigated, so there are a lot of details we don't have yet," Detroit Police Sgt. Eren Stephens said.

No further information about the incident has been released. Police are not saying if Hunter’s girlfriend is under arrest. Hunter has been in the NFL for five years and has played for the Detroit Lions and Greenbay Packers in addition to the Denver Broncos.

Just a few days ago, another NFL player, Brandon Marshall of the Miami Dolphins, was also stabbed by his wife.

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Ron Artest Wins NBA Good Citizenship Award

2011-04-27T19:13:00.001-04:00

Your Black World reports

Ron Artest of the Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA’s J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award this week. His teammate, Lamar Odom, was named the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year.

"I think it's great recognition that the NBA sees what I've been doing outside of basketball," Artest said. "I'm definitely grateful for the award.

"It's something that's not on people's minds as far as me getting a citizenship award, but it was something that I wanted and I'm definitely happy I got it."

The award is a surprise, given that Artest once received the longest suspension in NBA history. In 2004, Artest went into the stands and attacked some fans who were throwing things at him.

"I feel like I've been doing a lot of work over the years, a lot of charity work, just giving back to the communities," Artest said. "This award ranks up there with Defensive Player of the Year, to me, as one of the most important individual awards I've ever gotten."

Artest says that the award was something that he’d always hoped he could win.

"I don't think it would have happened a couple years ago. But it was something I always wanted, kind of under the covers, people not knowing the whole Ron Artest, but just a part," Artest said. "But you've got to have good timing. You have to be in the right place at the right time. Things have to happen, and it worked out perfectly for me at this point where I'm at in my career right now."

To almost no one’s surprise, Artest won the award for bringing awareness to mental health issues. He even thanked his therapist publicly after winning the title for the Lakers a year ago. In one of many acts of charity, Artest raffled off his 2010 championship ring for $650,000 and then donated the money to various mental health organizations.

Congratulation’s Ron, we’re proud of you. At Your Black World, we believe that black men deserve second chances.

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Deion Sanders Fights to Help Kids Stay Fit

2011-04-27T16:09:00.001-04:00

Your Black World Reports

Deion L. Sanders retired as a professional football player in 2001, but is scoring big points off the field for NFL Network’s Keep Gym in School Program. Sanders is conducting a press conference in New York today with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and 4 middle school kids who will be receiving awards for their participation and improved dedication to fitness. The announcement shines a spotlight on The Keep Gym in School Fitness Program, which was developed in association with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education.

The program is a component of the NFL PLAY 60, the league’s youth health and fitness campaign designed to keep kids active at least 60 minutes a day. The emphasis is placed on combating childhood obesity by supporting physical education programs in America’s schools. In addition to the conference, there will be a PE Teacher of the Year award with a $10,000 grant for her school’s PE program as well as football clinics for city kids, with the assistance of retired NFL players: Donovan Darius; Richard Dent, Chris Doleman, Charles Haley, Brad Hoover, Cortez Kennedy, Natrone Means, Joe Morris, Anthony Mua‘Oz and Willie Roaf, so stop by if you’re in town.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 27, 9:45 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Draft prospect clinic from 9:45-10:15 a.m.) Thursday, April 28, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Chelsea Waterside Park
11th Avenue between 23rd and 24th Street
CONTACT: Clare Graff, NFL, 212-450-2435 clare.graff@nfl.com
Erin Wendell, Under Armour, 410-454-6570,ewendell@underarmour.com

To join the Your Black World Coalition, please visit YourBlackWorld.com.

Technorati Tags: deion sanders,black athletes

Famous Athletes Who Went Broke

2011-04-27T10:22:00.001-04:00

In 2008, the NBA Players’ Association claimed that 60 percent of pro basketball players go broke within five years of retirement. It’s not hard to see why. In the annals of “easy come, easy go,” few people see it come and go like professional athletes.

While it’s true that many take their salaries and invest them in sensible and enduring business ventures, many others squander their multimillion-dollar salaries on expensive cars, jewelry and mansions, and when the checks stop coming in, they have little to show for it.

Basketball player Latrell Sprewell first made headlines during his tenure with the Golden State Warriors. During a 1997 practice, he choked his coach, P.J. Carlesimo, and earned a 68-game suspension. Sprewell still went on to a substantial career, earning almost $100 million.

It all came to an end when he turned down a three-year contract extension from the Minnesota Timberwolves worth $30 million. According to Sprewell, this was simply not enough money. He said, “I have a family to feed … [team owner Glen Taylor] better cough up some money. Otherwise, you’re going to see these kids in one of those Sally Struthers commercials soon.” (Sprewell was referencing ChildFund International commercials, which provided sponsorship to deprived children around the world.)

The Timberwolves’ upper management, unmoved by his family’s tragic situation, didn’t offer him one more cent, and by the end of the 2005 season, he was unemployed. By 2007, his yacht, “Milwaukee’s Best,” had been repossessed by federal marshals after missed payments and insurance worth over $1 million. In 2008, he defaulted on the mortgage on his Milwaukee home, sending it into foreclosure. His Westchester mansion went into foreclosure two years later.

Click to read

Jalen Rose Didn’t Seem to Know that He was Under Arrest

2011-04-25T13:32:00.001-04:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black World

It appears that Jalen Rose of ESPN (and the Fab Five at Michigan) wasn’t aware that he was being arrested when he was stopped for DUI. Here is a transcript of Jalen’s interaction with the police officer in the back of a squad car on the night he was arrested for drunk driving:

Jalen: "So what are we doing right now?"
Cop: "We're gonna go to the police station right now."
Jalen: "To do what?"
Cop: "You're under arrest."
Jalen: "For what, sir?"
Cop: "For drunk driving."
Jalen: "But I wasn't really drinking."
Cop: "Um, okay."

Obviously, one can clearly see that Jalen and the officer are not on the same page. Also, given that the evidence seems to show that his blood alcohol level was above the legal limit, it’s clear that Jalen needed to be in that police car. I am with the officer in that neither of us believe Jalen’s initial assertion that he hadn’t had anything to drink that night. He failed several sobriety tests and smelled of alcohol, so I believe he was drunk driving.

With that said, I’ve made it clear in the past that Jalen Rose deserves a shot at redemption. I don’t think he should have been cut from the ESPN lineup, and the good has outweighed the bad in his broadcasting career. The problem for Jalen, though, is that he hasn’t learned one of the fundamental rules for outspoken black men in America: Keep your sh*t together, for the haters are always watching.

Jalen has taken some bold steps lately, being one of the few prominent black public figures to write about the fact that college athletes should be paid. Both Jalen and I put pieces up on the Huffington Post about this important topic around the same time. While I felt that Jalen wasn’t asking for enough (he requested stipends for athletes of about $2,000 per semester), I was happy to finally see a prominent black male athlete speak publicly on a topic that so many will only grumble about in private.

The thing about Jalen (who was also in the middle of controversy after calling the black Duke University basketball players “UncleToms”) is that a black man can’t run his mouth that much in public and then “get caught slippin.” The fact that Jalen was arrested for DUI only gives his enemies fuel for their fire of disdain toward him as they are surely working to discredit him. It is for that reason that I am saddened by his arrest.

But no matter what happens with Jalen Rose, we all know that college athletes and their families deserve a slice of the multi-billion dollar pie that the NCAA earns off the backs of black families across America. The coaches, administrators and commentators (mostly white men) making millions for their families while leaving black families in poverty is fundamentally wrong, and there’s nothing they can say to change that.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of ALARM, the Athlete Liberation Academic Reform Movement. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.

Meet Rocky Clark: His Insurance Company Has Left Him to Die

2011-04-25T09:42:00.001-04:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black World – Scholarship in Action

The story of Rasul "Rocky" Clark is a cautionary tale to all the mothers who send their sons to the football field on Saturday afternoon. Ten years ago, Clark was living the dream of many African American males: he was one of the stars of his high school football team, playing the game as running back.
Rocky's dream came to an end with one hit too many. The player was paralyzed from the neck down, rendering him unable to move, walk, stand up, or use his arms for the rest of his life. He will never run down the field, experience sex, wash himself or even breath properly again. He has one lung, and his life expectancy dropped dramatically on the day of his horrible injury. In fact, part of the reason his family is now broke is because medical experts and insurance companies didn't expect him to last for even a decade.
Rocky just found out that his $5 million dollar insurance policy has reached the lifetime maximum, meaning that his insurer is not going to pay anymore of his expenses.

"I was told I'd be taken care of all of my life," said Clark, who is now 27 years old. "That was one thing that brought me comfort. I knew I'd be OK. Now it seems like I'm being penalized for living too long. That's how I see it."
Clark now has Medicaid, which is a far cry from the high quality coverage he had before. His situation has re-ignited the debate regarding lifetime caps of insurance companies and rising medical costs. The recent ban on lifetime limits included in health care reform came into effect after Clark's policy was created, meaning that he doesn't benefit from the change.

Clark's right lung has serious damage, so he is constantly faced with pneumonia and ends up in the hospital several times per year. His mother has fallen behind on the bills as she tries to find ways to pay for his medical coverage. She has not even paid her property taxes for the last two years.
When Clark's policy came to an end, his insurance company, Health Special Risk, Inc., sent him a two-sentence letter stating: "the maximum medical benefit under this policy has been processed and no further benefits are available."
The case of Rocky Clark should give all of us a moment of pause as the black community strives to send more of our boys onto the football field than into the classroom. We cheer for these kids like heroes at every game, and then laugh it off when the child has grades that are clearly inadequate. What's saddest is that the average NFL athlete has a career span that is less than four years long, meaning that even for our kids who get a chance to live out "the dream," their dream eventually turns into a nightmare.
The recent suicide of former NFL star Dave Duerson, who is suspected to have suffered tremendous brain damage from years on the football field, is another example of things that can go wrong from pushing our kids into such a barbaric sport. Rocky Clark's battle with insurance companies leads us to also wonder whether it makes sense for us to allow capitalist motivations to guide our health care systems. Human life should not be managed with a price tag.
Two things that the Rocky Clark situation tells me are that:
a) If I ever have more kids, they will NOT play football. The risks are just too great, and I don't want to see my child lying in a hospital bed all day, unable to stand up and live life. There are other ways to enjoy sports without getting pounded in the head all day long.
b) All the effort our kids put into practicing and playing sports would be better spent pushing for academic achievement.
While most athletes end up broke and unemployed, Rocky's doctors will never be broke, and neither will the attorneys representing many of the black males who end up in the criminal justice system. We've got to find a way to get in on the profitable side of this terrible game of American capitalism. Right now we're feeding ourselves the short end of the stick.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. To follow Dr. Boyce on Facebook,please click here.

Derrick Rose To Have Surgery on His Ankle

2011-04-24T16:57:00.001-04:00

DEERFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose had a walking boot on his left foot Sunday and was scheduled for an MRI on his sprained ankle later in the day.

Coach Tom Thibodeau says trainer Fred Tedeschi told him the All-Star point guard is sore but the swelling is "not bad."

Rose sprained his left ankle late in the first quarter Saturday as the Bulls dropped Game 4 of their first-round playoff series with Indiana 89-84.

Click to read

Miami Dolphin Brandon Marshall Stabbed by His Wife

2011-04-23T22:32:00.001-04:00

From CNN

(CNN) — The wife of Miami Dolphins star receiver Brandon Marshall has been charged with stabbing him in the abdomen with a kitchen knife during a domestic violence incident, according to a report from the Broward County, Florida, sheriff’s office.

Michi Nogami-Marshall, 26, was charged Friday evening with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, which allegedly occurred in their Southwest Ranches, Florida, home, according to the sheriff’s report.

Brandon Marshall’s injuries are nonlife-threatening, said spokeswoman Veda Coleman-Wright of the sheriff’s office.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tiger Woods’ Niece Wins a Major Golf Title

2011-04-18T12:46:00.001-04:00

From Your Black World News

Tiger Woods’ niece, Cheyenne Woods, just won the ACC Women’s Individual title by a total of seven shots this weekend, with a final score of 5-under par. Cheyenne is a junior at Wake Forest University and said that she “felt confident all day.”

Click to read.

Technorati Tags: tiger woods,black athletes,cheyenne woods

LeBron’s Mother Gets Sued by Valet She allegedly Slapped

2011-04-14T21:35:00.001-04:00

A valet is suing the mother of NBA superstar LeBron James after she allegedly assaulted him both physically and verbally. The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday and alleges “emotional distress, humiliation, mental anguish and lose of capacity of enjoyment of one’s life.”

The valet, Rock Feller Sorel, says that he was hit by Gloria James early in the morning on April 7 at the Fountainbleau hotel. He is seeking $15,000 in damages.

Click to read.

Video: LeBron James’ Mother Attacking Hotel Valet

2011-04-14T09:15:00.001-04:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University

Three thoughts that come to mind as I watch the video of LeBron James’ mother getting into a fight with the valet at a hotel:

1) What the hayell? - Yes, if my mama ever acts this way, she and I might have to have a nasty conversation or two. I truly feel sorry for LeBron, who has been embarrassed by his mother in the past on multiple occasions.

2) This is what happens when we drink too much in public and forget that our child is a celebrity. When you’re in the public eye, everyone is always watching. You can’t sneeze, use the bathroom, or buy groceries without people scrutinizing every little thing you do. Alcohol reduces our inhibitions and makes us unaware of our surroundings. That’s why I don’t drink.

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ESPN Analyst Says College Athletes Need to Have a Revolution

2011-04-06T23:02:00.001-04:00

by Jemele Hill, ESPN.com

The problems in college athletics have been much in the news recently -- from pay-for-play to unethical conduct by coaches and administrators -- and it's become clear that only a drastic measure can address the hypocrisy, the rampant rule violations and the widespread deceit permeating our so-called amateur collegiate sports.

A revolution is needed at the college level. But the only way we'll see one is if college athletes do something so radical that it not only makes the powers-that-be take notice but jeopardizes their bottom line.

It's an action that would require commitment, planning, patience and sacrifice.

It would come with great risk. It would make college athletes vulnerable to ridicule and criticism, and it might even have a bearing on their professional aspirations.

But it's time. College athletes need to organize and stage a massive boycott, because unless their voice is heard this inequitable system will never change.

Click to read.

Deion Sanders Says He Worries about Dez Bryant

2011-03-28T07:38:00.001-04:00

From ESPN.com

Deion Sanders, who stopped mentoring Dez Bryant months ago, strongly criticized theDallas Cowboys receiver in reaction to the criminal trespass warning given to Bryant over the weekend at a Dallas mall.

"I'm upset but not surprised whatsoever," Sanders said on The Ben & Skin Show on ESPN 103.3 FM in Dallas.

Sanders described Bryant's behavior at NorthPark Center on Saturday as "ignorant."

The 2010 first-round pick was issued the warning after an off-duty police officer requested that Bryant and his friends pull up their pants because their underwear was showing and Bryant responded with repeated profanity, according to the police report.

Click to read.

Dr. Boyce: Dwayne Wade’s Custody Fight Defies the Stereotype of Irresponsible Black Male Fathers

2011-03-14T14:28:00.001-04:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action

This week, a judge in Chicago gave NBA star Dwayne Wade sole custody of his two sons. The decision was made after a prolonged legal battle between Wade and his ex-wife, Siohvaughn. The boys are currently 8 and 3 years old. Wade has argued that his ex-wife has become violent toward him and falsely accused him of abusing his sons. A court-appointed representative for the boys made the recommendation that Wade be given full custody and that his ex-wife receive a mental evaluation.

I happened to be in Chicago when I heard about Wade's custody decision (which took place in a Chicago courtroom). What's even more ironic is that I heard about the decision shortly after having an opportunity to watch an episode of the television show, "Basketball Wives." During the show, I thought about the "interesting" custody battle between another baller, Dwight Howard and his ex-girlfriend Royce Reed, who is a member of the show's cast.

Click to read.

The Fab Five Documentary Details All That’s Wrong with the NCAA

2011-03-14T09:51:00.001-04:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action

I lived through the Fab Five era within college basketball, literally breathing the same air and vicariously identifying with the brothers who brought power and style to the sport. I was approximately the same age as the five freshmen who took their team to the NCAA championship, and I even wore black socks on the court (yes, I am ashamed to admit that). An ESPN special recently took my mind back down memory lane by replaying the experience of the Fab Five and how they changed college basketball forever. To this day, there has been nothing like them, and I wouldn't be surprised if their feat is never replicated again.
The most intriguing aspect of the Fab Five special on ESPN was not their exploits on the basketball court (which were amazing), it was the conversation about money. When these five young men stepped onto the court for the University of Michigan, they instantly became cash cows for their universities. Sales of University of Michigan merchandise went from $1.5 million per year to over $10 million per year shortly after their first season. Jalen Rose, one of the members of the Fab Five, mentioned seeing that Nike had released a sneaker named after the group, and they regularly found their academic schedules being interrupted with trips around the world to promote a brand that was making everyone rich except for their own families.

Click to read.

March Madness and the NCAA Plantation: Why Black People Must Demand Reform

2011-03-11T19:55:00.001-05:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action

I wrote about a new book regarding the NCAA’s alleged exploitation of black athletes, written by University of Georgia Professor Billy Hawkins. In his recently-released book, “The New Plantation,” Hawkins goes out of his way to help us understand that the method by which the NCAA does business is not much different from the mindset of plantation owners of the old south.

The analogies used by Professor Hawkins are thought-provoking and appear to be alarmist at first glance. After all, citizens are commonly comparing nearly every modern-day injustice to slavery in order to make a dramatic point. But in this case, the analogies are appropriate, in large part because slavery is not a dichotomy. Instead, it is actually a continuum, with complete freedom on one end and total servitude on the other. One could even argue that slaves themselves were not completely devoid of freedom, since they could have always chosen to run away, buy their freedom, maim themselves or even commit suicide as a way to escape their condition. The point of this very grim example is not to say that slavery was not entirely horrific; rather, it is to say that something does not have to be entirely horrific to be compared to slavery.

Click to read.

Academics Over Athletics: Why the Change Must Take Place NOW

2011-03-11T18:23:00.001-05:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action

Today I took my afternoon nap thinking about the days when I was captain of my high school track team in the 12th grade. I wasn’t the star of the team and I also wasn’t an academic star (my grades were terrible). Like many other black boys across America, I’d come to identify myself as an athletic commodity rather than an intellectual one.

I remember that one of the fastest boys on our team was also like a lot of other black males: He was in special education and had horrible grades. On his report card, he’d gotten two Fs, three Ds and a C. My coach was concerned about his grades, but not because he cared about the young man. He was only worried about his grades because he thought that the kid might not be eligible for the big track meet we had coming up.

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Dr. Boyce: Should Parents Encourage Their Kids to Play Football? The Rocky Clark Story

2011-03-02T23:20:00.001-05:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action

When I read about the case of Rocky Clark, the former high school football player who is now paralyzed from the neck down, part of me cries on the inside. His accident makes me think about my own uncle (who was like an older brother and very close to me), who was paralyzed after a car accident two years ago. I also think about the countless young men who hit the football field every year, rolling the dice in hopes that they don’t end up like Rocky.

Click to read.

Dr. Boyce Watkins: How NFL Players Can Avoid Going Broke During the Lockout

2011-03-02T20:00:00.001-05:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action

The pending lockout of NFL players is expected by some to be a matter of history repeating itself. Team owners, hungry to earn an even larger profit from their business ventures, are going to keep the players off the field until they get what they want. Some might naively believe that the NFL Players Association has the bulk of the negotiating power in this battle of egos. After all, they represent our favorite athletes and the famous guys that we all want to see on Sundays, right? Sorry, that's just not the case.

The truth is that the players are going to take a financial beating unlike any other. Team owners can go years without income, so although they stand to lose money when the league shuts down, they are not sitting around wondering how they will pay their car notes. Players, on the other hand, are notoriously under-educated and horrifically bad at managing their money (some of us have been misled into believing that athletic success is a replacement for academic achievement). If history tells us anything about how the lockout is going to go, I expect players will give in after about three weeks.

Click to read.

ESPN Writer Howard Bryant Says Domestic Assault Arrest was Racially-Motivated

2011-03-01T18:46:00.001-05:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action

ESPN baseball writer Howard Bryant's arrest has now taken a very interesting turn. Buz Eisenberg, the attorney for Bryant, claims that race was a factor in his arrest.
''Mr. Bryant was the victim of excessive force,'' Eisenberg said, according to Recorder.com. ''Police responded to the scene and rather than do an investigation they made an arrest of a black man with a white wife."

Bryant, who is 42-years old, was charged with domestic assault and battery, as well as battery on a police officer. Five witnesses claim that they saw the writer choke his wife and force her into a car. He was freed on $5,000 bail on the same day.
Since the arrest, some things have changed. Bryant's wife, Veronique Bryant, is now claiming that Mr. Bryant never assaulted her. Thus far, ESPN has declined to comment.

Click to read.

Dave Duerson: Said Something was Wrong with His Brain when he Killed Himself

2011-02-23T21:08:00.001-05:00

This video interview with the wife of former Bears star Dave Duerson who killed himself says that Dave was having problems with his brain before he died.

Click to watch.

NFL Star Dave Duerson Commits Suicide: Did a Brain Injury Cause This?

2011-02-21T11:20:00.001-05:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action

This weekend, I was driving through the middle of "Nowhere's Ville," Indiana, on my way to Chicago. Right as I was approaching South Bend, the home of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, I ironically received an email from former Notre Dame Coach Lou Holtz. Holtz and I had recently debated whether college athletes should be paid (we disagreed on the topic), but the coach was gracious enough to email me twice since the interview to say that he now considers us friends. I have a tremendous amount of respect for both Holtz and his noble gesture.

Adding to the irony of the trip was the fact that I also received a text message from a friend informing me that former Notre Dame/Chicago Bears football Star Dave Duerson had just been found dead in his condo. So, on a trip past Notre Dame on my way to Chicago, I receive both an email from Lou Holtz and a text message about a former Notre Dame/Chicago Bears star dying that day. Perhaps this was a signal from a higher power that I needed to dig further into the issue.

Click to read.

Stephen A. Smith Returns to ESPN Radio – LA and NY

2011-02-03T17:39:00.001-05:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action

One of my favorite television personalities is the great Stephen A. Smith. I met Stephen a few years ago when I appeared on his ESPN show, "Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith." Smith's show was my favorite in all of television, primarily because it was a place where black men could be men on the national stage and discuss the issues that mattered most (to us). I told Stephen A. that his show was effectively "The Black Man's Oprah," and we needed more like it.
It was Stephen's deep commitment to the black athlete in America that led me to realize that his television days were numbered. There is no way on God's green earth that a show so seriously committed to the black male would last on any of the major networks. Stephen's show should never have been canceled, but his show should probably have been on BET or TV One.

Click to read.

He May Be 48-Years Old, But Herschel Walker Can Still Dominate

2011-01-30T12:36:00.001-05:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University

He came, he saw, and he conquered. Herschel Walker, the man who was once known for being a jack of all trades, dominated his first opponent in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competition. The fight was against Scott Carson, the poor guy that Walker obliterated with a left hook in the first minute of fighting. After knocking Carson to the ground, Walker continued to pound away on him until the referee stopped the fight.

Walker's return to public competition at the age of 48 is nothing short of inspirational. The man who once said "My body is like an army" has proven it to the public by doing what many thought would be impossible. In addition to MMA fighting, Herschel has excelled in quite a few other sports as well: Walker is the only college football player in NCAA history to be listed in the top three in Heisman voting for all three years he was in college. He finished 7th in the 1992 Winter Olympics in the two-man bobsled. He nearly made the Olympic team as a sprinter. He is a fifth-degree black belt. He even did ballet.

Click to read.

Eagles Star Michael Vick Finally Gets an Endorsement Deal

2011-01-28T21:55:00.001-05:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action

Embattled Philadelphia Eagles star Michael Vick has finally signed his first endorsement deal. The player signed a two-year contract with Unequal Technologies, a companies that provides the football pads Vick wore throughout the season. Terms of the deal are not disclosed, but both parties are excited.
"We're real excited about it," said Unequal's chief executive officer Rob Vito.

Click to read.

Study Exposes Painkiller Abuse Among Former NFL Players

2011-01-28T20:28:00.001-05:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins – The Athlete Liberation Academic Reform Movement (ALARM)

According to a new study in a scientific journal, retired NFL players misuse opioid pain medication at a rate that is four times greater than the general public. The study goes on to connect the abuse to the number of pain killers athletes take during their playing days in the NFL. The results were published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, a peer-reviewed academic journal.
The study was conducted by scholars at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. It is also the first study conducted on pain killer misuse by former players. Linda Cottler, a professor of Epidemiology in the school's Department of Psychiatry led the study and it was also commissioned by ESPN.

Click to read.

$300M Deal for U. Texas While Athletes Get Nothing

2011-01-27T13:47:00.001-05:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action

The University of Texas just inked a $300 million television rights deal for a 24-hour network that will broadcast Longhorn athletes and games. ESPN is the partner in the deal and will distribute the network via satellite in Texas and other states around the country. The network is expected to launch in September.
Given that college athletes are serving as the foundation for massive wealth being generated by schools like the University of Texas, it is time that we consider allowing these athletes to have the same labor rights as other workers who generate wealth around the nation. The United Steel Workers Union has actually spoken out on behalf of NCAA athletes, stating that they should have the right to unionize to ensure that their families can benefit from the wealth being created in these massive financial deals.

Click to read.

Terry Harrington: Former High School Standout Does 25 Years for a Crime He Didn’t Commit

2011-01-25T22:01:00.001-05:00

Click to watch the video about the case of Terry Harrington, a former highschool football standout who served 25 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

Visit Your Black World for more black news, black politics and black celebrity gossip!

Black Athletes Discussed on ESPN Town Hall Meeting at Morehouse College

2011-01-14T20:18:00.001-05:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action

I was sitting in front of my TV set flipping through one channel after another, and I found something that both intrigued and concerned me: An ESPN special about the image of the black athlete. I was curious to see what they had to say about black athletes, especially males, since that's something I think about nearly every single day of my life.

The panel consisted of Jalen Rose, John Calipari, Randy Shannon, Spike Lee, Robin Roberts and others. I was hopeful that the panelists would not succumb to the temptation of taking the paternalistic viewpoint that black male athletes are somehow destined to be ignorant and need to be told what to do. For example, unlike any other sport, men's basketball and football are the only ones in which there are age limits before the athlete can become a professional. The reasons for these regulations are driven primarily by the argument that the men are too young to go out and support their families by doing what they do for the NCAA without being compensated.

Click to read.

Auburn Wins, the Black Community Loses

2011-01-11T13:30:00.001-05:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action

When I saw the final score of last night’s NCAA championship game where Auburn University defeated the University of Oregon, I sent a tweet to my friends that said, “Congratulations. Your plantation was the strongest tonight.”

As the southerners who love Auburn football celebrate their championship, they may want to take a second to absorb a couple of sobering realities. First, the school got $21 million just for winning that one game. Auburn’s coach, Gene Chizik is due for a multi-million dollar bonus and millions will flow into the pockets of administrators, coaches, commentators, and corporate sponsors, almost none of whom are black.

Click to read.

Fox News: “Michael Vick Should Have Been Given the Death Penalty”

2010-12-29T11:49:00.001-05:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action

Fox News commentator Tucker Carlson followed the company's interesting tradition the other day by making one of the most distasteful and egregious comments in recent media history. Filling in for Sean Hannity, Carlson said that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick should have been executed for dogfighting.

"I'm a Christian, I've made mistakes myself, I believe fervently in second chances," Carlson said. "But Michael Vick killed dogs, and he did in a heartless and cruel way. And I think, personally, he should've been executed for that. He wasn't, but the idea that the President of the United States would be getting behind someone who murdered dogs? Kind of beyond the pale."

Click to read.

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Why Would Barack Obama Defend Michael Vick?

2010-12-28T15:13:00.001-05:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University –Scholarship in Action

Anyone following the worlds of sports and politics heard about President Barack Obama's decision to congratulate the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles for giving the embattled Michael Vick another chance to shine. The president called Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie to tell him that he condemns the crimes for which Vick has been convicted, but believes that those who've paid debts for their crimes deserve a second chance to contribute to society.

The symbolism of this moment can't be missed. Here we have an African American male going out of his way to express support for another black male coming out of the criminal justice system. While none of us knows Obama's true intentions, his public support for Michael Vick reminds us of the intricate connections that exist between many black males from all walks of life (Al Sharpton and I discussed thisvery same issue yesterday with regard to the arrest of the father of NBA star OJ Mayo): educated black politicians/doctors/lawyers who love sports have a great deal in common with athletes, who in turn have something in common with men in the criminal justice system, hip hop, etc. It's all connected at the end of the day (notice the close friendships between men like LeBron James and the rapper Jay-Z and the fact that many artists have friends who deal drugs).

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Ohio State Players Suspended for Selling their “Stuff”

2010-12-23T15:53:00.001-05:00

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action

Terrelle Pryor, the star quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes, is set to be suspended for four games next season as a result of receiving improper benefits. He wasn't the only Buckeye kicked out for 1/3 of next season: Four other players were also suspended: Daniel Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams and Solomon Thomas are among the guilty and condemned.
Adams is being asked to repay $1,000 for selling his 2008 Big Ten Championship ring and Heron was busted for selling his jersey, pants and shoes for $1,000. Also among the list of offenses being investigated was that the players received free tattoos in exchange for autographs.
When I read this story, I thought, "Here we go again, the NCAA participating in their typical sanctimonious and hypocritical behavior."

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Tiger Woods Allegedly Abandoned His Relatives

2010-12-17T13:10:00.001-05:00

Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action

Tiger Woods' brother, Earl Woods Jr., had some interesting things to say about the golfing superstar. Woods is the oldest of three children who came from the previous marriage of Tiger's now-deceased father. Tiger's brother now publicly claims that Woods has cut the family off and that he hasn't spoken to him since 2006. This is in stark contrast to the fact that they spoke quite frequently when Tiger was a young man.

It seems that, according to Earl, the trappings of fame, entourages and piles of money may have detached Tiger from that which matters most: those who love us. At the same time, we can't say for sure what happened in Tiger's family that caused the division to occur in the first place. Tiger's brother says that while they were invited to ride on Tiger's jet to the funeral of his father, the golfer barely acknowledged them during the trip.

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