Sports
Imagine if top black athletes avoided schools like Florida for fighting DEI
MLK wasn’t the just one who had a dream. At least he should not be the just one.
Black Thought has visions of “Nat Turner holding his master’s head – like Yorick and Horatio in Hamlet – hitting it like a tennis racket, sneaky” Others of us provide you with less brutal scenarios, perhaps just construct something that may leave a legacy for our offspring, perhaps hug the arms of our white cousins and sing Kumbaya.
Here’s one which some black grandparents like to assume:
Imagine if top black prep athletes in football and basketball – money-making sports – decided to reject PWIs and selected HBCUs as a substitute. This version of the great old days would cause seismic changes to the annual list of schools that select within the NFL/NBA draft.
We can reject this dream since it just isn’t happening. Should not.
American institutions like PWI were built on our backs, with blood, tears and uncompensated sweat. If we desire it, we deserve the chance to benefit from the fruits of this labor, to enjoy the abundance of resources and exquisite amenities. It’s called freedom of alternative and other people have died for this right.
However, I like to bring up the faces of, say, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey if Black athletes ever determine to be denied scholarships from the Florida Gators and Alabama Crimson Tide. These players may not select FAMU or Alabama State instead, but they may keep the flagship universities kicking rocks.
It’s a dream value pursuing.
Sports
The University of Florida recently slowed down each worker we work on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in accordance with state regulations. There is an anti-DEI bill passing through speed Alabama Statehouse, where GOP lawmakers wish to ban public schools from teaching “divisive concepts” reminiscent of equating slavery and racism with the nation’s founding principles.
Never mind that DEI just isn’t nearly race. Forget that the principal beneficiaries are probably white women. The discount helps LGBTQ people or individuals with disabilities. This just isn’t our only fight.
But it’s definitely personal in Florida, Alabama and other states which have passed or proposed DEI bans. We can debate how much we actually are needed here or there, but these places clearly exhibit it. I say let the sensation be mutual.
Let’s see how they like a symbolic finger from our five and 4 star recruits. Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin also disagree.
“I’m Bama’s biggest fan though,” Woodfin sent“I have no problem with organizing activities for Black parents and athletes at other institutions outside the state where diversity and inclusion are a priority.” (I give passes to Alabama A&M and the state’s 13 other HBCUs to contemplate as options.)
Smith, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher and former All-American at Florida, blasted his alma mater for gutting the DEI office. “I am completely disgusted by UF’s decision and the precedent it sets,” he said sent. “…To the MANY minority athletes at UF, please be aware of this decision by the University that is now closing its doors to other minorities without any oversight and speaking out about it.”
Woodfin asked whether “leadership, athletic directors and coaches” supported a DEI ban. I’m sure they’ll say, “Hell no!” to maintain the pipeline flowing. However, their principal concern is athletes, versus other students (and school) who profit from anti-racist policies.
We must be sure that all black bodies are welcome, not only those with exceptional size, speed and strength. “If promoting inclusion becomes illegal in this state,” Woodfin wrote, “you might as well be standing at the school door like Governor Wallace.”
In his 1963 inaugural address, Wallace called for “segregation now, segregation tomorrow, and segregation forever” and blocked entry to the university months later when black students tried to enroll. DeSantis and his ilk imagine that even mentioning such truths is divisive. He makes Dixiecrats proud along with his rants about reverse racism, appointment that “DEI is toxic and has no place in our public universities.”
But there’s room for defenders and playmakers. I see.
Florida they usually insist on saying the silent part out loud, wanting to dash our hopes of welcome, inclusion, and acceptance. They will extend open arms if we wear a suit, but not a lot if we are only studying or studying.
There is little doubt about how I might feel (or how I might want my child to feel) as a sought-after recruit: You all can take your scholarship offer and decline it. I hope it happens.
How does this relate to sleep?
NFL Hall of Fame receiver and podcast host Terrell Owens has signed with a talent agency to further strengthen his claims within the entertainment game.
According to , Owens was signed by SMAC Entertainment, headed by host and NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and his business partner Constance Schwartz-Morini.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz has also joined SMAC Entertainment.
“We are excited to add TO and Jordan to the SMAC family. They are both at the top of their game and set the standard in their industry,” Schwartz-Morini said in a written statement. “TO and Jordan have already brought an infectious energy to our team, and we are excited to help them realize their vision for careers in media, business and branding.”
A five-time first-team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler, Owens played for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals. In 2018, he was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
A member of the 2000 NFL All-Decade Team, Owens finished his profession with 1,078 catches for 15,934 yards, 14.8 yards per catch and 153 touchdowns, rating third all-time in receiving yards and touchdowns.
Since retiring from skilled soccer in 2012, Owens has already made several moves. He has appeared in several movies and tv shows, including “,” and in addition had his own reality show, “, on VH1.
He currently co-hosts the podcast with former NFL player and sports analyst Shannon Sharpe.
SMAC Entertainment is home to stars similar to rapper and actor Common, Wiz Khalifa, Strahan, Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders and current NFL players similar to Stefon Diggs and DK Metcalf.
Sports
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker brings an NBA championship desire with his Olympic experience
The gold medal went to the USA Basketball team. Mission completed on the 2024 Paris Games. U.S. men’s basketball coach Steve Kerr just answered his final query during his final news conference on Aug. 10 after his team defeated France within the gold medal game.
However, before leaving the stage of the press conference in Paris, Kerr stopped to deliver an unsolicited message to media around the globe.
“Devin Booker is an amazing basketball player. Nobody asked about him. He was our unsung MVP. I just desired to say that,” Kerr said.
The “underrated MVP” compliment meant so much to the Phoenix Suns guard.
“It meant everything. No one really asked him,” Booker recently told Andscape. “That was probably something that was weighing on his mind throughout the entire process. A 12 months ago I said what I desired to do for this team and what we desired to do for the country.
“It was a lot larger than all of us. Survival was something we’d discuss for the remainder of our lives.
The USA Basketball team was centered around NBA star icons LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. There has also been some discussion amongst media and fans in regards to the lack of playing time for Jayson Tatum and, to a lesser extent, Tyrese Haliburton. Lost within the shuffle was the all-around, unselfish play of sharpshooter Booker wearing the armband.
Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images
Booker was fourth in scoring for the U.S., averaging 11.7 points, 3.3 assists and a couple of.2 three-pointers made early in all six Olympics, and likewise had the perfect plus/minus (plus-130) for an American. Kerr was impressed with Booker’s deal with a difficult defense, regardless that he is thought for his offense, ball movement and the way he has adjusted to not being one in every of the highest options on offense.
“I just understood what was at stake,” Booker said. “I’m proud to be from this country. I’m happy with playing basketball. Even though it wasn’t invented in America, we dominated for a very long time. Obviously the world is incredibly talented and the sport is growing, however it was just one other message to allow them to know who we’re.
Booker said he also learned in regards to the preparations from his all-star team, watching the preparations on and off the court. The 28-year-old added that he gained lifelong friendships.
“It’s cool to see that everyone has their own issues,” Booker said. “In my 10 years in the NBA, I’ve learned that you have to choose what you can use for yourself. But the level of detail, the attention to detail, the intensity – it’s all consistent across the board.”
As for Durant, Booker said the bond between the 2 Sun stars “is close and grows stronger every day.” They live about five minutes from one another within the Phoenix area and commonly spend time at home and on the road. Most recently, Booker had to steer the Suns without Durant, who was sidelined with an injury.
The amazing Durant averaged 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and three.4 assists, which were tops for the Suns. However, the 14-time NBA All-Star has been sidelined since November 8 with a left calf strain. Suns players Bradley Beal (calf) and Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) were also sidelined. The Suns are 1-5 without Durant, which incorporates 4 straight losses.
Booker and Suns sans Durant’s next rivals shall be the New York Knicks on Wednesday evening (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET). Over the last six games, Booker is averaging 24.1 points, shooting 43.2% from the sphere and making 16 of 43 three-pointers. Suns guard Tyus Jones said there was numerous pressure on Booker offensively due to the injury.
“We’re asking a lot of Book,” Jones said after Monday’s 109-99 loss to the visiting Orlando Magic. “It’s numerous pressure for him. We are very focused on it. They are physical with him, holding him and grabbing him, throwing two or three bodies at him all night long. So he’s got so much on his plate and we just need to proceed to seek out ways to get him open within the moments we will and proceed to assist him when other players are taking shots and making plays.
Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
Booker currently has two Olympic gold medals, 4 NBA All-Star appearances and one NBA Finals appearance. The only thing missing from the Suns’ second-leading all-time scorer is an NBA championship. Since the Suns joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1968, they’ve yet to win a title.
After experiencing the joys of winning a gold medal, Booker as an NBA champion wants the gold Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy much more.
“Most of the guys that were there did it,” Booker said of his Olympic teammates who were NBA champions. “They were champions. This is standard for them. Anything lower than that, they need nothing to do with it. It’s contagious…
“That’s all I want. That’s all I want.”
After months of introducing the players and coaches who will participate in its inaugural season, the brand new Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league announced its team rosters and coaching assignments on Wednesday.
Founded by WNBA players Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, Unrivaled consists of six teams of six players each. The league was created to offer WNBA players with a substitute for playing overseas in the course of the offseason.
Although initially announced as having 30 players, the league has since expanded to 36, which Collier attributed “above financial forecasts”. The league has announced 34 players publicly up to now.
The inaugural season of Unrivaled will begin on January 17, 2025, with all games going down in Miami. Here are the official teams for the inaugural season, as well season schedule.
Vinyl Basketball Club:
– Coach: Teresa Weatherspoon
Rose Basketball Club:
– Coach: Nola Henry
Mgła basketball club:
– Coach: Phil Handy
Lunar Owls Basketball Club:
– TBD: wild card
– Coach: DJ Sackmann
Phantom Basketball Club:
– TBD: wild card
– Coach: Adam Harrington
Laces Basketball Club:
– Coach: Andrew Wade
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