Sports
Black athletes don’t even have a level playing field with the anti-DEI movement. That’s white people’s job.
On February 20, 25 white Republican members of the Alabama State Senate introduced themselves SB129a bill to essentially eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in public institutions in the state.
The proposed bill not only prohibits any “state agency, local board of education, or public institution of higher education from sponsoring any diversity, equity, and inclusion programs or maintaining any office, physical location, or department” dedicated to DEI or similar “divisive concepts,” it gives also gives agencies the power to “discipline or discharge” employers and contractors who violate the law. While the proposal allows for personal funding, it prohibits students, faculty and staff at public higher education institutions in Alabama from applying for personal or federal funding that supports diversity, equity and inclusion.
Alabama’s caucaity legislative act reflects enacted laws Arizona, Kentucky, Oklahomaand a minimum of 21 other states. On March 1, the University of Florida complied with the governor’s executive order. Ron DeSantis Law Pausing funding for diversity spending by terminating all DEI-related positions. UF’s decision drew a sharp rebuke from Gator football legend Emmitt Smith, who issued a statement regarding Twitter suggesting that college athletes use their platform to talk out. More importantly, Smith felt no have to let white people off the hook.
“We cannot continue to trust that a leadership team of the same background will make the right decision when it comes to equality and diversity,” he added. Smith wrote on Twitter. “To the MANY minority athletes at UF, please be aware of this University decision that, without any oversight, closes the door to other minorities and speaks out about it. And for those who think it’s not your problem and stay on the sidelines and say nothing, you are complicit in supporting systemic problems.”
Translation: You have to be crazy in the event you think white people will ever use their power to dismantle racist systems built by white people. And white individuals who do nothing, I blame you all too.
Smith wasn’t the only distinguished figure to specific displeasure with the right-wing attack on diversity, equality and inclusion. In a series of tweets, Birmingham, Alabama, Mayor Randall Woodfin, who leads certainly one of the U.S The blackest citieshe said he had “no problem with providing classes for black parents and athletes at other out-of-state institutions.”
It’s also about a strong-arm robbery.
Woodfin notes that taxpayers wa 27% Black the state foots the bill for giant, mostly white public universities like the University of Alabama (11% Black) and Auburn University (4.5% black). But Woodfin didn’t put the onus entirely on black athletes to dismantle institutional whiteness. While the state’s recent anti-DEI proposal will likely exacerbate this systemic theft, the two-term mayor notes that coaches, fans and lawmakers don’t appear to have a problem with DEI after they literally parachute into a school district that’s 99% non-white recruit athletes who will add to the ongoing generational wealth generators fueled by black taxpayers and student-athletes.
“These athletic directors, coaches and representatives of these flagship programs will actively come to Birmingham, land a helicopter on the high school campus, sit down at Big Mom’s house and say, ‘We want your child to come to our school to play football,’” basketball,” Woodfin said. “At the very same time, in the same breath, the same institutions are saying, ‘We’re not going to support programs that support you offline or off the basketball court. Or consciously support diverse faculty and staff and professors. We’re going to make it illegal.
“My disappointment stems from the fact that chancellors and presidents have not said anything,” he added. “The coaches and sports directors didn’t say anything. Don’t tell me you want these Black people on your sports fields and basketball courts, but you won’t support them anywhere else on campus. Why should they come? Why should they play for you?”
In addition to using his “bully bully pulpit to call out any form of injustice or any immoral law at all times,” the two-term mayor is encouraging athletes, parents, community members, Black student unions and other student organizations to arrange against SB129. ON Wednesdayover 100 alabama college students from across the state gathered at the statehouse to challenge lawmakers. More than 5,000 interested parties signed the act Petition protect diversity, equity and inclusion in the country. And if all else fails, Woodfin desires to hit them in the pocket.
In 2020, after serving on the Birmingham Department of Youth Services, the district’s Economic Opportunity Commission and as president of the Birmingham City Schools board, Woodfin formed The Birmingham Promise, which provides scholarships, financial aid and academic support to any Birmingham City Schools graduate who desires to attend a two- or four-year college in the state. The initiative has provided greater than $5 million in tuition assistance through 2023, including thousands and thousands in donations from corporate sponsors and individuals who have pledged to support causes similar to diversity, equity and inclusion in the wake of the George Floyd rebellion in 2020, Woodfin wondered what would occur if leaders used their influence and connections to steer corporate donors to present dollars to programs like the Birmingham Promise moderately than to institutions that espouse divisive white supremacist ideas.
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“I can literally go to public and corporate leaders in Birmingham and say, ‘What are you doing to support diversity?’ What are you doing to support equality? What are you doing to support social inclusion?” Woodfin said. “What are you doing in the private sector to offset this? As a leader, I can remind them of what they have voluntarily committed to. We cannot allow them to hide behind…state laws that prohibit the use of public tax dollars to support DEI. These are conversations I can have.”
While Birmingham advantages from the state The $200 Million College Football Economythe Morehouse alum reiterated that he has no problem organizing an effort to discourage athletes from attending these historically anti-black colleges. Like Smith, Woodfin believes that athlete influence mustn’t be the only line of defense against white Republican power plays.
In Kentucky, senators pressed repeatedly bills banning schools “expenditure of any resources or funds for diversity equality, inclusion and belonging or political or social activism.” A University of Louisville professor working at the intersection of DEI and sports noted that – because of the competitive nature of faculty sports – athletic departments at predominantly white institutions will feel the impact of those regressive initiatives even if Black student-athletes do nothing.
“College athletes were celebrated for following the rules and not exploiting their individual power,” said a Louisville instructor who spoke anonymously to guard their employment. “But what about companies using name, image and likeness agreements to sell products? Why should local corporations and supporters who support these legislators get a pass?”
Far-right wingers in Alabama may have inadvertently banned college sports.
Most universities have a compliance office to avoid violating regulations governing college athletics. According to NCAA Division I Athletic Regulations, each lively institution must “conduct an equity, diversity and inclusion review at least every four years and provide written confirmation of completion to the national office.” By declaring that students, employees, and contractors are prohibited from “participating in or participating in any diversity, equity, and inclusion program or in any training, orientation, or course,” Alabama’s recent Jim Crow quasi-decree apparently could make the completion of this The NCAA will change into an illegal requirement. In fact, the law would prohibit public universities from “sponsoring… or maintaining(maintaining) any office, physical location, or department that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion,” essentially defunding six officials inside Auburn compliance department. Anyway, using state, federal and NCAA funds to attain mission “encouraging diversity and equal treatment of all” – the entire compliance office can be illegal under the recent Alabama law.
Because the law doesn’t allow schools to “authorize or disburse funds, apply for or accept grant, federal or private funding” for these “divisive concepts,” Alabama colleges may not find a way to compete for 26 NCAA $10,000 scholarships dedicated to “ethnic minorities and women”. Does Alabama’s law conflict with Title IX law, which “prohibits schools receiving federal funds from discriminating on the basis of sex in their programs or activities?” Will administrators and coaches at Alabama’s seven Division II schools be fired in the event that they file a lawsuit? NCAA Diversity Grants?
“If I were a student or professor at the University of Alabama, I would be running towards the transfer portal,” commented a University of Louisville faculty member. “Ultimately, students will choose universities where they feel safe and supported. Black athletes are no different. Eventually, these universities will begin to lose professors, coaches, players and staff to universities that do not prohibit being black. Laws have consequences and this will all come down eventually. The numbers don’t lie.”
When asked if HBCUs stand to learn from this exodus, the Auburn insider noted that 52 of the 101 HBCUs are public institutions, which suggests they’re subject to the same discriminatory regulations. “Don’t forget – even though large colleges are majority white, they are not white-owned,” the Auburn insider added. “They belong to
“There is no bigger Bama fan than me,” Woodfin added. “But I am also a fan and we cannot afford to remain silent.”
You too, white people.
Michael Harriot is a author, cultural critic and master-level Spades player. His book Black AF History: The Unwhitewashed Story of America will likely be published in September.
San Antonio – asked the way it is coaching against the guardian Auburn, Tahaad PettiFord in highschool, coach Roselle Catholic (NJ), Todd Decker, offers fast praise: “His heart, speed and ability to shoot the ball – is a complete package.”
Asked if there was a game, he saw all these attributes on the exhibition, Decker – his mood changes – he’s silent.
“I would prefer to talk about anything else in my life,” said Decker, his voice on the phone becomes softer. “So what happened in this game.”
In “That Game” PettiFord had a ball along with his Hudson Catholic team three time beyond regulation, just a moment after he tied the sport at the tip of the regulation with the 3-point questioned.
“We tried to deny the ball at the end of the first overtime, but he gets it, takes three drible and banks significantly outside the NBA 3-point line,” said Decker, whose team eventually lost in double time beyond regulation.
“I still regret that I don’t pollute him. Probably one of the stupidest decisions I’ve ever made.”
The PettiFord game within the NCAA tournament last month showed that perhaps Decker shouldn’t be so difficult for himself. PettiFord has a median of 17.3 points in his 4 NCAA tournament matches – he’s related to Johni Broome, a national player of the Sports Year, since the team wins the leader after the season – and provides a high level of trust for the first 12 months, which began just one colleague start.
“I’m ready for a moment,” said PettiFord after the victory of Auburn over Michigan State in the ultimate of the southern region last weekend. “I want to win it all.”
While PettiFord was replaced as a point guard at Hudson Catholic, where he finished the senior season on the thirty fifth place in ESPN 100, coach Auburn Bruce Pearl immediately predicted him within the role apart from a distributor.
“Tahaad is a shooter; he will be one of the fastest, fastest, most explosive guards I’ve ever had,” said Pearl Montgomery advertisers in April last 12 months. “I feel I’ll attempt to play with him from the ball and let him do what he does.
“Get buckets.”
In his opinion, PettiFord in 2024 turned out to be a prophet. When Auburn won Stan Michigan, winning over Michigan and Michigan State last weekend, PettiFord’s ability to twist the corner and lead the road was an art that could possibly be afraid.
https://twitter.com/cbsports/status/1906464283895963791
“It can really go both ways, especially with his right hand,” said Jase Richardson, Michigan State Guard who had experience against PettiFord on the Aau track. “I feel that he is really solid on my right hand, so it is in a sense in a sense both of them.”
In addition to its fearless ability to guide the belt, PettiFord also showed coverage outside the arch.
https://twitter.com/cbsports/status/1905831620600344859
“PettiFord easily shoots six feet behind the line,” said Creighton Greg McDermott coach before he saw PettiFord scored 23 points in Auburn’s win within the second round. “So it stretches the defense a little further.”
Playing within the experienced team of Auburn, PettiFord got here this season as the one team of McDonald’s All-American. What he didn’t bring is the first or inflated ego attitude.
“He came in, but he came, wanting to learn, wanting to compete and wanting to join what we built,” said Broome, the one chestnut player who won the National Player of the Year award. “This definitely makes him special. He enters the field every night, tries to win to win.”
And PettiFord has this influence without noise, which will be expected from the All-American highschool, which apparently has a talent for the starter.
“I don’t think I have ever had a player who was as good as Tahaad, who never started and had the least noise from the player or his family,” said Pearl of PettiFord, who began one starting this season. “It simply wasn’t a factor. His dad loves him and trains him hard and wanted him to play for someone he knew that he would train him hard.”
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
PettiFord’s achievements turned out to be an indignant guardian of the mix. While Auburn mentions him as 6 feet-1, PettiFord says he really has lower than 6-0, but its size isn’t an obstacle.
“This is the only thing his dad (Travis PettiFord, who played in the state of Montclair), when he grew up, he always played him, even though he was small,” said Pearl. “He played guys older than him all his life. So what is the difference in the NCAA tournament?”
There is not any difference since the NCAA PettiFord performance was on a par with each player on this 12 months’s 4.
“He is only a special player; few first -year students are built like him,” said guard Auburn Denver Jones. “Some people understand that. Tahaad has it.”
This “this” that PettiFord left many North Jersey victims.
“We, as the staff, one day said that he was the only child who puts us fear in us,” said Kevin Diverio, the predominant coach at Don Bosco High School in Ramsey, New Jersey. “We knew it would be good at a collegiate level. We didn’t know it would be so good, so fast.”
For Nick Mariniello, the predominant coach at Hudson Catholic, the scale has been obvious since he saw PettiFord within the eighth grade.
“He was always a bizarre athlete, he was always hard -working and always rats in the gym,” said Mariniello. “Lights are never too bright for him. It is simply unique.”
What Mariniello appreciates probably the most in PettiFord is his loyalty, a feature that disappears in an era through which continuous movement amongst players also increases at highschool level.
“Often, guys who are talented go to national scholastic programs that have the best players from all over the country,” said Mariniello. “On the day when loyalty is a one -way street, I never felt like I had to surround him with a wall. He remained in the same school for four years he was very impressive.”
It is apparent that PettiFord is built in a different way and that the respect he earned in Auburn and New Jersey is authentic.
Even amongst trainers he terrorized.
“I am still haunted by what happened in this game,” said Decker concerning the Catholic Catholic classic classic classic classic. “But I love it when a kid with a T -shirt is great, we all inflate. He is such a talented child and it’s nice to see how he is successful on the largest stage.”
Sports
During the recruitment of legislators, they weigh whether to grant colleges athletes with zero earnings
The representative of the Illinois Travis Weaver state remembers how surreal it was, that the winner of the Heismman Mark Ingram trophy was sitting behind him several rows in the political class class. He will always remember pure joy in Alabama each time Crimson Tide got here to the national championship.
Weaver was there for 2 title runs as a student in 2010–2015. The way he sees him, coach Nick Saban and his players weren’t the only winners.
“The city of Tuscaloosa, Stan Alabama, employers who recruited the University of Alabama, because there are students of senior caliber-all people benefited greatly because of the success of the football team,” said Weaver. “Coach Saban made it a different school than when he got there. Of course, the football team was better. But what I saw as a student, the whole community became much stronger because of this success.”
His experience in College makes him perform now.
Weaver wants to help Illinois Schools and encourage more recruits to stay at home, releasing to $ 100,000 profits, image and similarity from state income tax. IN Georgia AND AlabamaLegislators want to completely eliminate income tax on zero earnings. There is comparable pressure in Louisiana.
Legislators perceive the provisions that they propose as a way to compensate for a hyperconal field of recruitment if they don’t gain advantage. Their universities are fighting against schools in Florida, Tennessee and Texas, states that the income isn’t taxed.
Funds can face the rejection of other students who earn money on their name, image and similarity, equivalent to people influencing social media, actors and musicians. They may wonder why the quarterback and points of points receive the release, but not.
There is a precedent. In 2016, President Barack Obama signed an account eliminated the so -called federal “victory tax” on Olympic medalistsstopping IRS from collecting medals and money prizes up to $ 1 million. On the other hand, legislators must resolve whether the proposed funds are value potential challenges, even when they are on solid legal grounds.
“This optics are probably not great for people who are YouTubers, and some children from college pay tax in the state and some do not,” said Daniel Ryan, former IRS lawyer now at Sullivan and Worcester in Boston. “But I don’t know if there is a constitutional problem that would prevent this.”
Lawyer Michael Rueda from Withers Worldwide collaborated with athletes and schools in zero matters. He said that states would “have to argue that there is a reasonable justification for the distinction between taxpayers.”
Income tax landscape
There are nine without income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Although the idea of saving money could be attractive, accountants and lawyers who work with athletes and universities say that tax rates are generally not at the top of their clients’ priority lists. They look more at their role, team competitiveness and marketing capabilities.
In this sense they are like professionals.
“What seems to be a number one choice for them after passing through money?” said Richard Koenigsberg, accountant of Eisner Advisory Group in New York, who worked with College and skilled athletes. “Because we saw athletes, reject the best priced contract.”
As for the potential release from zero income?
“Carson Beck – Did he go to (Miami) to avoid income tax in Georgia?” said Michael Guariglia, a lawyer from McCarter & English in New Jersey, who collaborated with universities from Nil. “I think that it was more important to ensure that he would be their initial quarterback. Could it be a factor? Yes, maybe. It’s a game of many different things.”
For example, recruits from New Jersey who go to school in Florida still have to pay income tax of their condition, unless they change their place of residence. And the income for somebody from Florida who goes to school in Jersey can still be released.
Proposals regarding the tax relief
Athletes in Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana I, to a lesser extent, Illinois who resolve to stay at home, could be for a break if the regulations were prescribed.
In Georgia, where the Zryczba rate is 5.39%, a recruit that continues to be in a state would save around USD 5,400 per $ 100,000 zero money. In Alabama – where it ranges from 2% to 5% for one earning over 3000 USD – savings at $ 100,000 could be around $ 5,000. In Louisiana – which has just implemented a flat rate of 3% – which translates into USD 3000.
Savings for athletes earning seven data in zero money would of course be far more significant; In Illinois, not a lot, because the Weaver plan would only release the first $ 100,000.
In this scenario, basketball or players with NBA or NFL eyes can still pay state tax on at the least a component of zero earnings. Athletes with less lucrative contracts could be completely covered and barely more likely to stay in condition.
For Weaver, it’s more about assist in MID Major schools, equivalent to Bradley, Illinois State, Western Illinois and Loyola Chicago than the Great Ten Illinois and Northwestern.
“If these schools are slightly more successful and you will receive an additional 10% of applications more periodically, Peoria, Ill., Bloomington, Ill., Macomb, Ill.” – said Weaver, a Republican of Peoria.
Although Weaver said that the state would lose about USD 750,000 income from income tax, it considers it a priceless investment. It provides for a rise in the number of entries, participation in games, selling goods, hotel reservations and others which can be successful on the pitch and field.
Proof A: Loyola.
Jesuit school on the north side of Chicago Large jumps in applications and sale of goods After staying to the final 4 in 2018 and Sweet 16 in 2021, sister Jean Bobbleheads and burgundy scarves became popular items.
“If we can help-you reach the average foreman-to create the NCAA tournament once every three years instead of every five years, and this means twice as often that they receive a 10% increase in application, it can be something that is really a difference in maintaining one of these smaller schools in the long run,” said Weaver.
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The legend of NBA, Tim Duncan, recently got here out to the sport of San Antonio Spurs, not looking like a fan -remembered fan player.
The five -time NBA champion, once known for his close hair, is now swaying on the shoulders, frameting his face next to the total beard. These well -maintained dreadlocks completely transformed Hall of Famer into someone who is nearly not recognizable for individuals who watched them dominate within the league for 19 seasons.
The dramatic change of haircut didn’t happen overnight, and although his dreadlocks on the time were widely reported when he gave an acceptance speech through the Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Naismith basketball in 2021, Duncan’s word caused an avalanche of headers with a “great fundamental evolution of favor.
Today we now have Tim Duncan in practice. pic.twitter.com/eeobfvqqal
– Matthew Tynan (@matthew_tynan) November 13, 2024
When Duncan appeared in San Antonio Frost Bank Center to observe his Spurs faced Golden State Warriors on March 30-when his old team lost 148-106-Svobodny fans were shocked with his recent appearance within the photo with their girlfriend, the star of reality Vanessa Macias, 44.
15 times All-Star Sat Courtside with Macias, who wore a full glam with loose curls and had proudly San Antonio equipment. Duncan selected a free outfit with a raglan -style shirt with camouflage sleeves, not team goods, perhaps symbolizing his evolution except that he’s a basketball icon.
What happens to Tim Duncan? pic.twitter.com/qhpg5jghtg
– Hoops (@hoopmixonly) March 31, 2025
Many jumped on X with the comments of shock to a brand new appearance when the fan asked: “What is happening to Tim Duncan?”
One person joked: “He is comfortable and relaxed … WTF.”
“Bro was not exactly the GQ model in the first years. Honestly looks more cold at 48 than 35 years.” one other person wrote.
However, not everyone appreciated the brand new hairstyle and a relaxed look.
Someone else Tweet“What’s up with this guy … He on a hippie journey? Will he start wandering in the desert?”
Other he said, “Bro looks like he was disappearing at sea.”
One fan compared him to Lord Corlys “The Sea Snake” Velaryon from “Dom Dragon”.
Leroy Tekken
– Infina (@infinitesunami) March 31, 2025
After collecting $ 245 million of profession earnings and strengthening his heritage as one in all the biggest basketball strikers, Duncan clearly decided that retirement is a really perfect time to simply accept a totally recent aesthetics.
This is just not the one change that the 48-year-old basketball icon has adopted of their life after the NBA. Now he practices mixed martial arts.
“When he entered the door, I saw that he was very hungry for learning martial arts, and his movement, his absorption of martial arts was simply phenomenal” revealed Jason Echols to the Bleacher report.
Echols is a coach of MMA Duncana, who has been training the basketball legend in Echols Fitness in San Antonio for over a decade.
Duncan’s physical transformation coincides with significant changes in his personal life over the past decade.
His personal life has also evolved. After his divorce with his beloved from College, Amy Sherrill, with whom he shares two children, Duncan found love for Amazing Race Alum Macias. Together for over a decade, the couple divides his daughter, Quill – named after Peter Quilla Marvel (Guardians of the Galaxy), Sporting News Reports.
Macias announced the birth of his daughter in March 2017, calling her a “small soul changer”.
Thank you for love and thoughts welcoming our little change of soul, Quill.
– Vanessa Macias (@vanessalmacias) March 27, 2017
It seems that Macias has an amicable relationship with other children from his marriage, since the whole family was present in 2016, when the NBA star shirt was retired by his team.
Despite leaving the sport, Duncan stays connected to Spurs. His short time as an assistant to the trainer in 2019-2020 was one in all the few times when he returned to the focus.
While his appearance has modified, his loyalty to Spurs didn’t. He still supports his former team, proving that he continues to be an impulse to live – only many more hair.
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