SEC Player-of-the-Year, consensus All-American, and controversial draft prospect. No, this isn’t Tim Tebow. This is Michael Sam, a defensive end from the University of Missouri who, last week, announced that he is gay—a momentous milestone for the macho world of the National Football League. Despite the trepidation surrounding being the[Read More…]
Behind the Bench
The evolution of the Raptors
When DeMar DeRozan steps onto the court at the New Orleans Arena on Sunday, Feb. 16, it will be the first time in four seasons that the Toronto Raptors will have one of their own players in front of the bright lights on All-Star Sunday. The Raptors—like all other Toronto[Read More…]
All-Star wars: the fandom menace
In the week before the Super Bowl, the NFL launched its improved Pro Bowl format with teams being drafted by NFL legends, Deion Sanders and Jerry Rice. However, as much as the NFL tries to improve the Pro Bowl, the truth is that most fans see the event as a[Read More…]
Standing up and speaking up
“Republicans buy shoes too.” Those words came from the mouth of one Michael Jeffrey Jordan, after he declined to endorse a black Democratic candidate for a North Carolina Senatorial election in 1990. More recently, Jordan’s one-time Chicago Bulls teammate Dennis Rodman made headlines following his third visit to North Korea[Read More…]
The beauty behind the brawn
It’s the closest you can get to floating: the light whisper of feet brushing over canvas, the natural rhythm of the body, and the push and pull of the dance. Everything quiets when you step on the floor; it’s just you and your partner. I always get weird looks when[Read More…]
Remembering the Raptors
My on-again, off-again relationship with the Raptors began when my family purchased nosebleed tickets during the “Vince Carter years.” We’d cheer and shout “DEFENCE” as prompted by the giant letter D and picket fence displayed on the jumbotron. If we were lucky, we’d catch the cameraman’s eye and make it[Read More…]
Fighting depression in sports
Sports culture dictates a very specific image of what an athlete should be. In the worst cases, this can cause emotional trauma in those who play sports, preventing them from expressing their emotions or asking for help when they feel overwhelmed. Neither fame nor money can protect someone against mental[Read More…]
Third man in
Ever since he became the first openly gay active athlete in one of the four major North American professional sports, NBA centre Jason Collins has been widely praised and supported. However, at 34 years of age, his career seems to be nearing its end. Despite word from his brother Jarron—a[Read More…]
Third man in
Jerseys are the ultimate symbol of a fan’s devotion to their team. They tell onlookers not only where someone’s allegiances lie on game day, but also provide a unique insight into what that person’s values and what their personality is like. A LeBron James jersey from his tenure with the[Read More…]
Third man in: Sandman closes the curtain
Baseball recently saw the greatest closer to ever play put a cap on his storied career. Mariano Rivera sealed his legacy as baseball’s top relief pitcher with one and a third perfect innings over the Tampa Bay Rays during the New York Yankees’ last home game of the 2013 season.[Read More…]
