Sports

Black men and White man in white uniforms with red trim and text stand in front of blurry and dark-lit crowd
Sameer Rao  Mar 15, 2018 4:33PM EDT

Why Aren't More Unrecruited Black Players Walking Onto Basketball Teams?

Walking onto a Division I team can open doors off the court, even for students who barely get to play. A new article investigates why many Black basketball players are unable to join teams if they are not recruited.
Black-and-white mural depicting 14 black men in grey and black football uniforms on red brick wall
Sameer Rao  Mar 6, 2018 1:55PM EST

'Black 14' Tells Story of College Football Players Who Risked Their Careers for Racial Justice

Colorlines talks to Darius Clark Monroe about his new short documentary, which chronicles the 1969 saga of Black University of Wyoming football players who protested against racism in the Mormon Church.
Native women in roller derby gear gather in a group photo
catherine lizette gonzalez  Mar 6, 2018 10:01AM EST

READ: How Team Indigenous is Decolonizing Roller Derby

Roller derby’s Team Indigenous seeks to empower women and two-spirit people while addressing Native issues and desegregating a predominantly White sport.
Asian teenage boy in white coat smiles behind black microphone and in front of blue wall
Sameer Rao  Feb 16, 2018 11:12AM EST

Vincent Zhou Lands First Olympic Quadruple Lutz

The 17-year-old figure skater is the first person to land the jump with four complete spins during a Winter Olympic contest. 
Asian girl with blonde hair wearing grey hat and yellow and orange goggles and grey hoodie while wrapped in red and white and blue U.S. flag smiles in front of red wall and white snow
Sameer Rao  Feb 13, 2018 10:59AM EST

Chloe Kim is Youngest Female Snowboarder to Win Olympic Gold

The Korean-American teenager is one of 13 Asian-American athletes representing the U.S. in PyeongChang.
Asian woman smiles with hands held in air in red outfit with silver embroidery in front of purple walls and White and Asian women and men in white outfits
Sameer Rao  Feb 12, 2018 10:42AM EST

WATCH: Mirai Nagasu Lands Triple Axel and Makes Olympic History

The Japanese-American figure skater is the first U.S. woman to land the difficult move in competition at the Olympics.
Black man in red and white and blue skating uniform smiles in front of blurry brown and red and green background
Sameer Rao  Feb 9, 2018 12:10PM EST

7 Team USA Athletes of Color to Watch at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics

There are a total of 20 United States-based people of color going for the gold in South Korea.  
Black men in green football uniforms with white numerals walk under black sky with green light beams
Sameer Rao  Feb 8, 2018 10:55AM EST

Eagles Reader: Five Must-Read Articles on the Philly Team and Racial Justice

As Philadelphia prepares to celebrate the “wokest team” in the NFL’s Super Bowl win, here’s what you should be reading right now.
Black man with big beard in navy Cleveland Indians uniform
Kenrya Rankin  Feb 6, 2018 4:30PM EST

READ: Now That The Cleveland Indians Dropped Its Racist Logo, What's Next?

The Atlantic argues that the choice should make it easier for other teams to follow suit.
White men and women in green and and black and white and grey clothing stand over grey and yellow traffic pole on grey sidewalk in front of grey buildings and black night sky
Sameer Rao  Feb 5, 2018 11:38AM EST

Black Lives Matter Activist Calls Out 'White Privilege' of Post-Super Bowl Property Damage

Hawk Newsome: ”You can riot if you’re White and your team wins, but if you’re Black and being killed, you can’t speak out.”
Black man with black afro in black leather jacket and shirt and brown necklace raises fist and smiles in front of blue curtain and red and white and blue U.S. flag
Sameer Rao  Feb 1, 2018 12:05PM EST

NFL Exec Predicted Black Player Activism and The Pitfalls of Backlash in 1966 Memo

Malcolm Jenkins: “It was almost like a premonition.”
Black-and-white photo of Black man in baseball cap and suit holding baseball jersey and glove in front of lockers
Sameer Rao  Jan 31, 2018 3:49PM EST

Celebrate Jackie Robinson's Words and Actions on His 99th Birthday

The son of Georgia sharecroppers would become one of the most famous advocates for racial equity in sports. 
Protesters hold signs
Kenrya Rankin  Jan 29, 2018 2:45PM EST

Cleveland Indians to Drop Chief Wahoo Logo

National Congress of American Indians: “Washington Owner Dan Snyder needs to look at Cleveland’s move and then look in the mirror.”
Black-and-white photograph of Black man in grey coat and black shirt next to block of white text on black background
Sameer Rao  Jan 24, 2018 1:33PM EST

The Undefeated, ESPN The Magazine Examine 'State of the Black Athlete'

Athletes—including Ibtihaj Muhammad and Martellus Bennett—penned essays addressing racial justice, community resilience and more.
White statue stands on green grass surrounded by yellow police blockades with black text in front of brown building
Sameer Rao  Jan 10, 2018 4:05PM EST

WATCH: Kneeling Protests and Confederate Monuments Converge for Shreveport Family

In a new mini-documentary, The New York Times profiles a mother who fought to remove a long-standing Confederate monument—and her teenage son who was prevented from kneeling before a high school football game.
Red football helmet with white numbers next to gold award statue next to red helmet with black letter in front of black screen with gold letters
Sameer Rao  Jan 8, 2018 4:09PM EST

Atlanta NAACP, Anti-Fascist Group Coordinate Protests for Donald Trump's Alabama-Georgia Game

The president plans to attend the College Football Playoff National Championship game in Atlanta. Local activists intend to make their presence felt.
Black man in black suit with black afro holds glass award statue behind black microphone and in front of black and grey background
Sameer Rao  Dec 12, 2017 2:49PM EST

3 Reasons the Philadelphia Eagles Should Hire Colin Kaepernick

With Carson Wentz out for the rest of the season, the winningest team in the NFC has a chance to bring another talented quarterback on board. Colin Kaepernick should be that man.
Black woman with blond hair in black dress passes silver grey award statue to Black man in black suit in front of brown screen on black stage
Sameer Rao  Dec 6, 2017 2:30PM EST

'My Platform Is My People': Colin Kaepernick Wins Sports Illustrated's Muhammad Ali Legacy Award

Surprise guest Beyoncé Knowles-Carter presents the prize to the NFL free agent at SI’s ”Sportsperson of the Year” awards. 
Cheerleaders hold hands
Sameer Rao  Dec 5, 2017 4:01PM EST

How a Kneeling Protest Divided a North Carolina County

A new article looks at how a simple action—in which several Black cheerleaders at an area high school kneeled to protest racial injustice—illuminated the underlying problems in a community.
Black man in white jersey with green lettering and black details stands in front of blurry multicolored background
Sameer Rao  Dec 4, 2017 12:30PM EST

Malcolm Jenkins and Michael Bennett Comment on Players Coalition Fracture

Several players accused Jenkins of negotiating the NFL’s recent financial commitment to social justice activism without a consensus.