Good morning and welcome to The Huddle for today, August 30, 2020. It’s Sunday, and it’ll take you under 90-seconds to get plugged in.
This Morning’s Sports Headlines:
Megan Rapinoe is opting out of playing in the Fall NWSL series.
Out wrestling trailblazer Fred Rosser (formerly known in the WWE as Darren Young) is getting back in the ring next month with New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Opportunity doesn’t make appointments…Be ready and stay ready when that opportunity comes rocking💥! September 4th I finally make my debut with a bucket list promotion of mine @njpw1972 🙏🏼 #blockthehate#njpw #njcollision #njpwworld #njpwstrong #closedfistopenheart pic.twitter.com/O3ipErtnCI
— nodaysoff FRED ROSSER III (@realfredrosser) August 28, 2020
Transgender auto racer Charlie Martin is profiled on LinkedIn about inclusion in the workplace.
Caroline Layt has a profound op-ed about the missing piece in the debate started by World Rugby over whether transgender women should be banned from the sport. Check out our week-long series focusing on rugby athletes and the transban by clicking here.
We told you last week in The Huddle about last night’s panel of transgender athletes discussing the attempts to make them a wedge issue.
Panelists included these names familiar to regular listeners of The Trans Sporter Room: CeCé Telfer, Dr. Juniper Simonis, Kirsti Miller and future guest Juniper Eastwood as well as our own Karleigh Webb. We’ll post a link to watch the panel discussion here and share it on our social media later today.
Tomorrow in Outsports: a college athlete’s coming out story!
In other LGBT Sports news…
The plan for NWSL fall action is to split the league into pods for regional play.
All for XI examines the NWSL and how it lags behind the WNBA in social justice efforts.
SB Nation takes a look at how the WNBA joined together to protest police brutality.
Also new this morning…
Colin Kaepernick wrote to Lebron James to thank him for supporting the protest against racial injustice.
Former president Barack Obama accepted a phone call from Lebron and subsequently played a role in the NBA players’ decision to return.
Bleacher Report says the NBA owners’ pledge of $300M to fight racism isn’t enough.
Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll spoke at length Saturday about American history erasing what Black Americans have endured and how coaches need to discuss racism and voting and other “uncomfortable” topics.
A message from @PeteCarroll on what we can do to help combat racism. pic.twitter.com/7LknOFw2fy
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) August 30, 2020
Sports Illustrated takes a look at the NHL pause and resumption of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Our sister site Blazers Edge pays tribute to Cliff Robinson, the former UConn and Trail Blazers legend who died Saturday.
MMA Fighting has your wrap-up of UFC Fight Night.
OutShouts:
Fordham University linebacker Jaden Vazquez is serving as the LGBTQ+ executive for the school’s new student-athlete organization, after his team and coach supported him with his coming out. Thanks to Coach Anthony Nicodemo for sharing this story from News12 in the Equality Coaching Alliance.
If you’re an LGBTQ person in sports looking to connect with others in the community, head over to GO! Space to meet and interact with other LGBTQ athletes, or to Equality Coaching Alliance to find other coaches, administrators and other non-athletes in sports.
Highlights from Social Media:
RIP Chadwick Boseman.
🙅♀️🙅♀️ Forever#ALLIN ♦️♠️ pic.twitter.com/ZbjFzyvLqj
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) August 29, 2020
Black Panther is a source of pride for many Black people because representation matters — even in the land of make-believe — for it allows our children to dream in technicolor. His loss hurts so much because he represented us, and the culture, so well. https://t.co/AK2Fgj2gn2
— LZ Granderson (@LZGranderson) August 30, 2020
LeBron pays tribute to Chadwick Boseman 🙏 pic.twitter.com/CRIbU8BXWl
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 30, 2020
"To lose the Black Panther and the Black Mamba in the same year, we can all agree that 2020 is the s–ttiest year."
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 30, 2020
– LeBron James pic.twitter.com/QsWxCLrn7Y
“Use your education to improve the world you are entering.”
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) August 30, 2020
Such wise words from Chadwick Boseman. Follow his lead, and use your platform, great or small, for change. #StandUp #SpeakOut https://t.co/bkg4Yj5Got
And here’s one more uplifting message featuring Billie Jean King:
When you're open, love can mean so much more. ❤️ 🏳️🌈 pic.twitter.com/S3IqHVVQx9
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2020
Baseball fans, ya gotta see this:
A wild 3-2-8 double play! pic.twitter.com/K0aivTkvFQ
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) August 29, 2020
And then there’s this. No shit, George Hill!
Bucks guard @George_Hill3 says he missed the playing of the national anthem because he was in the midst of his pre-game ritual of “taking a shit.” pic.twitter.com/6jYiDsebBv
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) August 29, 2020
Podcast Du Jour
Nearly every day of the week, Outsports has a new podcast for your enjoyment. In this week’s Sports Kiki episode with deputy managing editor Alex Reimer, he confesses he unapologetically talked about his sex life on WEEI radio. When his guest Benjamin Livingston was on the radio, he said he did the same. Does gay sex belong in the “gay talk” format of sports radio? Listen here for their answer:
All our podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and on every platform where you find Outsports!
Today’s Sports Calendar
WNBA: None of today’s games are being nationally-televised
Connecticut Sun vs. Washington Mystics at 4 p.m. EDT.
Phoenix Mercury vs. Minnesota Lynx at 6 p.m. EDT.
Atlanta Dream vs. Los Angeles Sparks at 8 p.m. EDT.
Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors at 1 p.m. EDT on ESPN.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks at 3:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN.
Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz at 8:30 p.m. EDT on TNT.
NHL Stanley Cup Playoff
Colorado Avalanche vs. Dallas Stars at 6 p.m. EDT on NBCSN.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. New York Islanders at 9 p.m. EDT on NBC.
Las Vegas Golden Knights vs. Vancouver Canucks at 10:30 p.m. EDT on NBCSN.
MLB
San Diego Padres vs. Colorado Rockies at 3:10 p.m. EDT on ESPN+.
New York Yankees vs. New York Mets at 4:05 p.m. EDT on ESPN2.
Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies at 7 p.m. EDT on ESPN.
Auto Racing
Bommarito 500 Race 1 at 7 p.m. EDT on NBCSN.
Team Liquid vs. FlyQuest at 1 p.m. PDT
Dragon X vs. TBD at 1 a.m. PDT
Tennis
Click here for Western & Southern Open results from Saturday and click here for the women’s Prague tournament today. Tomorrow: the U.S. Open!
Soccer
And if you’re a soccer fan, check out ESPN’s schedule of matches by clicking here.
Share your thoughts in the comments below or email us at [email protected]
Thanks for reading all the way to the end. The next edition of The Huddle will appear tomorrow morning on Outsports.com Stay safe!