Edge of Sports Recent Columns

Edge of Sports Recent Columns http://www.edgeofsports.com/ Edge of Sports is the home of political sportswriter Dave Zirin en-us Copyright 2012 Edge of Sports, Inc. All rights reserved. Sat, 4 Feb 2012 04:01:01 EST Sat, 4 Feb 2012 04:01:01 EST Edge of Sports - Latest Columns webCOMAND http://www.edgeofsports.com/archives.html 60 Edge of Sports Recent Columns http://www.edgeofsports.com/images/rssfeed.gif http://www.edgeofsports.com/ 1329 204 Debating the Super Bowl Protests: Is CBS Columnist Gregg Doyel really proud to know nothing? http://www.edgeofsports.com/2012-02-01-690/index.html CBS columnist Gregg Doyel hates the thought of Super Bowl protests. But he doesn't know why. Wed, 1 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST Occupy the Super Bowl: Now more than just a slogan. http://www.edgeofsports.com/2012-01-31-689/index.html The sheer volume of the Super Bowl is overpowering: the corporate branding, the sexist beer ads, the miasma of Madison Avenue produced militarism, the two-hour pre-game show. But people in the Labor and Occupy movements in Indiana are attempting to drown out the din with the help of a human microphone right at the front gates of Lucas Oil Stadium. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST The Final Insult: Nike CEO Phil Knight Eulogizes Joe Paterno http://www.edgeofsports.com/2012-01-27-688/index.html Phil Knight, the founder and Chairman of Nike, has emerged following the death of Joe Paterno as the late Penn State coachs great defender. At a packed, televised memorial service, <a href="http://deadspin.com/5879688/heres-video-and-a-transcript-of-nike-chairman-phil-knights-vehement-defense-of-joe-paterno" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); ">Knight eulogized Paterno and went on the attack against the media and Board of Trustees</a>, firmly defending Joe Paterno's actions, or inactions, after learning that his assistant coach Jerry Sandusky may have been a child rapist. Joe Paterno desserved better. Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST Joe Paterno: The God who fell http://www.edgeofsports.com/2012-01-22-687/index.html Joe Paterno's most fervent supporters always described "JoePa" as more of an educator than a football coach. The Brown University graduate with the English Literature major, it was said, always wanted to make people around him think and learn. Now, following his passing at the age of 85, the all-time winningest coach in Division 1 college football history has given us another puzzle to ponder: when assessing a legacy, how much should one scandal be weighed alongside decades of service? Should a single moral failure, no matter how vast, be enough to actually undo the decades of good works that preceded it? The lives touched? The scholarships funded? The community constructed? Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST A Super Bowl of Struggle? The NFLPA’s Demaurice Smith on opposing Indiana’s “Right to Work” agenda http://www.edgeofsports.com/2012-01-18-684/index.html The Super Bowl is supposed to bring attention and even glory to its host city. But thanks to an anti-worker, anti-union assault by Indianas Governor Mitch Daniels and the Republican controlled legislature, the big game, to be held this year in Indianapolis, is bringing a different kind of attention altogether. The NFL Players Association joined the ranks of unions across the state last week in opposing efforts to make Indiana join the ranks of so-called Right to Work states. Right to Work laws have also been called Right to Beg or Right to Starve since they undercut wages, benefits and the most basic workplace protections. Coming off their own labor battle, the NFLPA released a statement where they promised that they would not be silent on these laws during the buildup to the Super Bowl. I interviewed NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith about why they felt it was important to take a stand against this legislation. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST