General Sports

• Kaepernick

  Nov 13, 2019 Diaz M 0 Comments

  

  Kaepernick 

   

   

  by Diaz Mackie

   

  11.13.2019  Kaepernick, the name itself, polarizing. Like Batman, a symbol of justice and for others, an unpatriotic rebel rouser. If for some reason you’re unfamiliar with Colin Kaepernick, he’s a former NFL Quarterback that has been “blackballed” by the NFL. 

   

     In 2016, the former QB decided that he wanted to use his platform to bring awareness to the amount of minorities, primarily Black that had been unjustly executed by police. He initially chose to make his stand against this social injustice by sitting during the national anthem. Many found this to be a sign of disrespect to the country & military. Former Army Green Beret & NFL player, Nate Boyer suggested that he take a knee as opposed to simply sitting. Kaepernick took heed to the advice & knelt instead of sitting during the 2016 season. Here’s where things get interesting. 2017 Kap decides to void out his contract with the San Francisco 49ers & try his luck with free agency. Reportedly the Denver Broncos led by President and former NFL QB for the same franchise offers Kap 7 million for one year. Kap declines, thinking he could get more and a chance to start. Coming off of a few declining years in play, some teams didn’t see him as a starter and not worth the attention, or distraction to their organizations. 

     Fast forward three years, Kaepernick has since sued the NFL for colluding to keep him out. He received a settlement to the amount of 60 - 80 million dollars. However, Saturday November 16th of 2019, Kaepernick will workout for all 32 NFL teams for the first time in the last three years in Atlanta. An actual workout and interviews are to be held. Representatives from Dallas and few other teams are reported to show high interest in signing Kaepernick.

   

     Now the question to be asked is, why now? What has changed? Usually, an employee who uses the employer and wins, or settles, seldom returns to work for a sed employer. Some believe it’s due to the recent amount of starting QB’s that have been injured this season. Some believe it’s due to the emergence of Lamar Jackson, the walking highlight QB for the Baltimore Ravens. Others have started to give credit to Jay Z, who has been reported to have taken place in the negotiations for Kap receiving this workout. Jay Z recently agreed to partner up with the NFL. Jay Z was named head of entertainment for the NFL earlier this year and has partnered up to form “Inspire Change” in coalition with the players union. August 13th of 2019 when the deal was done and made public, when asked about Kaepernick, Jay Z replied, “At some point we have to move past kneeling & move forward...” Some thought Jay Z was acting for himself and was the NFL’s scapegoat. Others credited Jay Z for playing chess, not checkers. Then there are those that believe this is simply a ploy by the NFL to say, look we gave him a shot. It didn’t workout, now let’s move past this. The workout is scheduled on a Saturday, when most General Managers, coaches, teams are traveling for the games played on Sunday. So eyebrows are raised.

   

     The NFL definitely wants to place this issue behind them, for many have boycotted watching NFL games in solidarity for Kap being “blackballed” out of the league. This includes celebrities such as Rihanna who rejected performing halftime of the “Super Bowl.” She said, it just didn’t feel right with Kaepernick being “blackballed.” 

   

     Teams that have already committed to sending scouts in person, Dallas Cowboys as fore mentioned. The Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay Buccaneers & the Miami Dolphins. The Cowboys currently have Dak Prescott a proven starter, still in his rookie deal only making two million. The team hasn’t signed him to a new contract,  Currently, in negotiations, the QB reportedly wants $35 - 40 million per year. So maybe the franchise goes a different way if he doesn’t lead the team to a deep playoff run. The Detroit Lions currently have one of the highest-paid QBs and football players all together with his $135 million dollar contract with $27 million a year. However the team has underperformed. Maybe they’re heading in a different direction. Atlanta Falcons have former NFL MVP & “Super Bowl” QB Matt Ryan. However, he’s aging as well and is widely thought that maybe it’s time to trade him and move on. The other teams mentioned are all in desperate need of a QB. 

   

     The NFL has placed itself in an odd situation. The workout seems a bit suspect and as mentioned previous, the NFL would like to put this behind them but may have reopened this and placed the spotlight on the NFL. Especially if Kaepernick has a solid workout. It has been three years since his last action and skills looked like they had regressed the last time we saw him on the field. Saturday will be interesting and then everyone will be watching Kaepernick, the man who has become polarizing. 

   

   

   

   

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• Three Athletes making Herstory

  Oct 20, 2019 Azariah manning 1 Comments

   

  

  

   

  by Azariah Manning

  10.20.2019  It was a great week for woman in sports all over the world, herstory was made,… yes herstory was made  as three Black, talented and resilient women went to break world records and be at the top of their game in their respective industry. These three women go by the names of Simone Biles, Coco Gauff and Brigid Kosgei. Biles , the ambiguous  Olympian continued to add to her gymnast legacy not only by executing two signature moves  that will honor her name, but also  receiving her 24th medal at the World Championship, making her the most decorated gymnast of all time, she also didn’t stop there receiving her 25th medal another gold in her floor exercise.  Across the globe in Austria, Coco Gauff became the youngest professional tennis player in history to win a WTA championship. Gauff had lost in the qualifying rounds, but was able to redeem herself, after a player had stepped down due to an injury. Gauff was able to prove the importance of second chances and how to overcome losses. Over in the United States, Brigid Kosgei broke the women’s world marathon record , along with winning the Chicago Marathon for the second year in a row. The Kenyan native went on to excel as she made history with an astonishing ability to run 26.2 miles in 2 hours, 14 minutes and 4 seconds.  These women have proven to excel all around the world exhibiting  elite  athleticism and talent.

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• CA Passes SB 206 “Fair Pay Act”

  Oct 4, 2019 Diaz M 0 Comments

  CA PASSES “FAIR PAY ACT” FOR COLLEGE ATHLETES  

  By Diaz Mackie 

   

  10.4.2019 During the last week of September, CA passed the SB 206. Better known as “The Fair Pay Act”, this bill will allow student athletes to earn money off their image & likeness. The bill passed the CA State Senate unanimously 72-0. The bill was later signed by Gov. Gavin Newsome, live on the LeBron James produced show “The Shop” with a special online only showing. The product company “Uninterrupted” usually airs the show on HBO. 

   

     The “Fair Pay Act” may have passed the Senate unanimously, but not without opposition. Former Florida Gator QB & Heisman Trophy recipient, Tim Tebow expressed his concern and opposition on the show “First Take” that airs on ESPN. Stating that he believed the amateurism added value to the sport and that education was a reward. The biggest opposition happens to be one of the biggest powers in all of sports, the NCAA. The NCAA has long argued that allowing student athletes to earn money, would ruin the amateurism of college sports & thus its beauty as well. NCAA also argues the introduction would invite agents and perhaps would sway the balance of power too much in favor of the student. Also how to separate the monies amongst the different sports. College football & basketball garnering in the most money for schools. 

   

     However, “The Fair Pay Act”, would not require colleges themselves to pay student athletes. The bill will allow the student athlete to earn money from their image and likeness. The student athletes would be able to earn from filming commercials, print ads, video game images & public appearances (booster events). The latter is where some see a potential issue of danger. Bribes & also the entrance that the student athlete would be able to hire an agent. 

     

    The Bill was endorsed by none other than LeBron James, not only endorsed by, but also added his weighted support & assistance in helping to have it passed. Support like this may place pressure on the NCAA tonight either adopt this model currently only legal in the state of CA., or perhaps become extinct. Some argue the irrelevancy of the NCAA & believe they’re just making billions off of the backs of college kids. 

   

     The Bill is not law until Jan 1, 2023, so that gives the NCAA time to adjust. Here are things to look for: Will other states begin to follow suit? NY is already in the process of considering the same course of action. Will this help the schools in CA with star power recruiting, ending favorable recruiting of power house schools like Alabama in football & Duke in basketball? Schools obviously outside of the state of CA. 

   

     Schools in the state of CA will have a huge recruiting advantage, if other states drag their feet in following suit with “The Fair Pay Act”. Star recruits could possibly turn down schools like Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky for USC, UCLA, CAL, Stanford, even the D2 schools & Community Colleges. The ability to earn money will have a huge effect. It’s a known problem now with programs violating for compensating players now. If the NCAA allows this to be the standard, perhaps it saves college athletics as a whole. No more violations, because the kid would be able to legally make monies off of their likeness. 

   

     We haven’t even dwelled on the ability for the student athlete to an agent. College sports programs make their money from ticket sales to their events, merchandise, boosters & alumni donations & shoe & jersey deals. Now with the ability to have an agent, does the student athlete sign separate deals regarding the shoes they decide to wear. The 2017-2018 college basketball season with Zion Williamson was a glimpse of what attention one kid could garner. The game his shoe blew out, the next morning we saw the effects in NIKE stock. Can you imagine if Zion had the ability to make money during his time in school? Perhaps he stays in college to win a championship, instead of leaving early to have the ability to earn money. 

   

     No matter what now, the train has already left the station. Either the other states and the NCAA follow suit with CA, or you will see a dramatic change in recruiting & college income received. If the other states follow suit & the NCAA continues to fight change, they can be cut out of the picture all together. It will be interesting to see “The Butterfly Effect” from this monumental moment, that will affect all of sports. 

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