Sports

Marlin Briscoe. Black-and-white image of a Black man with black afro and beard in jersey with white numeral "86" on front, in front of grass
Sameer Rao  Sep 25, 2018 11:43AM EDT

Pro Football's First Black Starting QB On Sports Racism Then and Now

Hall of Famer Marlin Briscoe: “Today, you thought that all those attitudes were nonexistent or filtered away to some degree, but with the Trump-isms, his philosophy has brought, out of the woodwork, that old-time thought process. That’s scary—it really is.”
Ciara. Black woman in white outfit performs on stage with blue lights
Sameer Rao  Sep 20, 2018 3:00PM EDT

10 Atlantans Who Should Have Been Asked to Perform at the Super Bowl

The National Football League skipped tons of local Black talent to hire Maroon 5.
Black man in blue clothing rides brown horse next to Black child in black clothing on white horse in front of grey street and green trees
Sameer Rao  Sep 18, 2018 12:51PM EDT

'Fire on the Hill' Explores South Central LA's Black Cowboy Legacy

The documentary follows three riders from South Central Los Angeles as they work to protect a disappearing cowboy culture after a devastating act of arson.
Serena Williams with black and blonde hair in brown and black athletic attire in front of blurry audience
Sameer Rao  Sep 11, 2018 4:44PM EDT

Black Women On Serena Williams and the 'Angry Black Woman' Trope

Scholar Breea Willingham, tennis player Zina Garrison and journalist Vanessa DeLuca break down why the backlash against Williams for expressing her emotions is not at all surprising.
Serena Williams in pink shirt in front of blue screen and behind blue water bottle
Sameer Rao  Sep 10, 2018 3:18PM EDT

Tennis Orgs Back Serena Williams' Concerns About Sexism in Tennis

Heads of the Women’s Tennis Association and U.S. Tennis Association support the star’s critique that a man would not have been punished for expressing emotion during the U.S. Open.
Billboard with black-and-white image of Colin Kaepernick and white text and Nike logo on top of beige building with black rails and windows behind dark green trees and grey sky
Sameer Rao  Sep 6, 2018 2:53PM EDT

Colin Kaepernick Stars in Nike TV Spot For NFL Season Opener

The athlete, philanthropist and activist’s involvement in the new “Just Do It” campaign prompted a range of responses from supporters, opponents and the NFL.
Colin Kaepernick with black cornrows in black and gold outfit holding black microphone in front of pink background
Sameer Rao  Aug 31, 2018 11:28AM EDT

NFL Arbitrator: Kaepernick's Collusion Grievance Can Proceed

The NFL tried to dismiss the activist-athlete’s claims that it intentionally banned him from playing on any team. It failed. 
Simone Biles poses in teal gymnastics outfit in front of white lights and darkly lit audience
Sameer Rao  Aug 21, 2018 12:34PM EDT

Simone Biles Makes Historic Sweep at U.S. Gymnastics Championships

The Olympian is the first woman to win every event since Dominique Dawes in 1994.
LeBron James smiles in Black suit and turtle neck in front of white wall with black text
Sameer Rao  Aug 7, 2018 11:33AM EDT

LeBron James Spins Pundit's Insult Into Sports Activism Docuseries

Showtime’s “Shut Up and Dribble,” which counts the NBA superstar among its executive producers, will explore the history of the NBA and activism.
Serena Williams smiles while wearing black outfit and holding silver trophy
Sameer Rao  Jul 27, 2018 4:06PM EDT

Watch Rayana Jay Uplift 'Undefeated' Black Female Athletes

The R&B artist’s new music video celebrates the resilience of Black female athletes.
Laremy Tunsil, Maurice Smith and Julius Thomas kneel while Jarvis Landry stands in white football uniform with orange and light blue numbers and accents next to Black man in gray shirt and black pants on green field
Sameer Rao  Jul 20, 2018 11:33AM EDT

NFL And Players Union Press Pause on Anthem Protest Rules

The decision came soon after reports of a new Miami Dolphins policy that would punish protesting players with suspensions.
Black-and-white photo of Black children in baseball uniforms
Sameer Rao  Jul 17, 2018 2:04PM EDT

The '1955 Baseball Story' About Little League Desegregation

Members of the first all-Black and all-White youth teams to face off in the segregated South discussed their historic game at a screening of “Long Time Coming: A 1955 Baseball Story” during Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week 2018.
Black woman with black hair in black athletic suit with red stripe holds black and green and white tennis racket and smiles while standing on brown tennis court with white line
Sameer Rao  Jun 29, 2018 11:58AM EDT

What You Need to Know About Serena Williams' Return to Wimbledon

The British tennis tournament is Williams’ first major international tournament after she pulled out of the French Open following an injury.
Black women and men in white and blue and brown and black clothing in front of blue stadium seats and green field
Sameer Rao  Jun 15, 2018 4:03PM EDT

Black Arrow Is on a Mission to Unite Black Soccer Fans Worldwide

The brand grew out of founder Aaron Dolores’ desire to bridge soccer and Black culture.
Black man with black beard in grey sweatshirt and black beanie speaking into black microphone in front of light blue screen
Sameer Rao  Jun 7, 2018 12:34PM EDT

Malcolm Jenkins Silently Uplifts NFL Players' Anti-Racist Activism

The Philadelphia Eagles safety opted not to answer reporters’ questions about the president disinviting his team. Instead, he used signs to reiterate the point of players’ protest.
Black man with black hair and tattoos in black jersey with yellow and red text speaks with Black man in white jersey with blue text in front of blurry audience and red light
Sameer Rao  Jun 6, 2018 12:44PM EDT

Cavs, Warriors Agree On One Thing: Skipping White House

LeBron James: “I know no matter who wins this series, no one wants the invite anyway. So it won’t be Golden State or Cleveland going.”
Green and blue football helmets flank silver trophy in front of dark grey wall
Sameer Rao  Jun 5, 2018 12:21PM EDT

Philly Players, Mayor and Allies Call Out Trump's Attack on Eagles

President Donald Trump said he scrapped the Super Bowl champion team’s planned White House visit because players would not “proudly stand for the national anthem.” Eagles players and supporters quickly told the truth.
Illustration of Brown man with black hair in white and grey and black running uniform on white background with red maple leaf and text and brown buildings
Sameer Rao  Jun 4, 2018 4:54PM EDT

Google Doodle Honors Indigenous Marathoner Tom Longboat

Longboat made history in 1907 as the first member of an Indigenous tribe to win the Boston Marathon.
Black man with black afro and beard in black jersey with red insignia in front of blurry audience in red and gold and white and blue
Sameer Rao  May 31, 2018 1:04PM EDT

Kaepernick Depositions Reveal Trump Influenced NFL's Protest Rule

President Donald Trump to Dallas Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones: “Tell everybody, you can’t win this one. This one lifts me.”
Black man with black hair in green basketball jersey with white letters holding orange basketball in front of black background
Sameer Rao  May 24, 2018 11:28AM EDT

Sterling Brown, Milwaukee Bucks Critique Police 'Intimidation' After Arrest Video Release

The NBA player pledged legal action against the Milwaukee Police Department after it released a video of officers violently arresting him in January.