Hello! Welcome to an early afternoon edition of The Huddle for today, September 11, 2020. It’s finally Friday. And for me, this is a tough one.

Across America and around the world, it is a day of remembrance for the nearly 3-thousand people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on New York City and the Pentagon, 19 years ago this morning.

My heart breaks for those who mourn the 2,977 victims, especially the brave passengers on United Airlines Flight 93 who fought their hijackers and crashed the jet into a field in Shanksville, Penn., including our friend Mark Bingham. I myself lost three friends. Fortunately, a member of my extended family bravely led his coworkers in the South Tower to safety that fateful day.

And let us not forget all the first responders who have been sickened and/or died of 9/11-related complications in the years since. You will no doubt see many haunting images today, but I prefer to look back at the way things were before that terrible day in 2001.

Your need to read time today is 90-seconds, as usual.

This Morning’s Sports Headlines:

Texas swim coach has championed inclusion at USA Swimming and across the sport

Oakland A’s say they support celebration of Glenn Burke

Hockey player Zach Sullivan says Pride games helped give him courage to come out

Watch: Asian and Asian-American LGBTQ athletes discuss struggles and triumphs

And from 2011: Mark Bingham remembered

In other LGBT Sports news…

Reuters: Italian transgender athlete sees no unfair advantage in women’s competition

Read our Karleigh Webb’s interview with Valentina Petrillo.

Also making news…

SB Nation: Shame on the Chiefs fans who booed players during a show of unity by James Dator

Forbes: The NFL Is Here, And Likely To Become The Unwitting New Center Of Our Culture Wars by Outsports deputy managing editor Alex Reimer

OutShouts:

The Equality Coaching Alliance gives a shoutout today to Lin Dunn: “This is my 50th year involved in coaching Women’s basketball at the collegiate and professional level. I currently have my own consulting company and specialize in ‘coaching coaches.’”

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:

A lot of tributes to those lost on 9/11 today:

Let’s switch gears and give kudos to pro triathlete Rach McBride! They posted on Instagram that they have “logged almost **900 miles** on my new #Haanjo in the past month alone!”

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As you may have noticed recently, I spend a whole lot less time on the TT 🚲 and way more glorious miles on gravel roads and trails. I even toss in a gravel camp during my Ironman builds now, and I’ve logged almost **900 miles** on my new #Haanjo in the past month alone! . Heading out into the 🏔 means I’m a lot more cognizant of being prepared for…adventure! I’ve taken to carrying a first aid ⛑ kit, emergency blanket, water purification drops, and most importantly: quality, high-calorie nutrition. Instead of relying on the energy spikes of gels, I make my own organic PB protein balls with Vega Sport Premium Protein, organic peanut butter and organic rice syrup. Not only are these little bite size bits tasty, but they are packed with a solid amount of protein, carbs, and fat to keep me sustained on long, aerobic days…and when adventure days go even a little longer than planned! 😳😬🤦‍♂️ @Vega_Team #VegaPowerYourStory #VegaTeam #purpletiger #nonbinaryathlete #sponsored

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And here’s

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Today I honor the LGBTQ+ allies at BYU who are working to prevent suicide. When I first went to BYU, there was no mention of anything regarding the LGBTQ+ community. It was as if it didn’t exist…no resource center, no club, no staff diversity & inclusion training, and no rainbows allowed on posters. The LGBTQ+ community was only mentioned in the honor code (in a policy holding LGBTQ+ students to a stricter code of physical conduct than straight students) and in whispered conversations about LGBTQ+ suicides at BYU. Suicide and discriminatory policies were the context BYU’s culture offered, and it wrecked havoc on my mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being. Though I managed to advocate for myself and get support around my suicidal ideation, I know other LGBTQ+ BYU students didn’t have the same access to an accepting coach and supportive team the way I did. So many BYU students, athletes, and staff are working hard to bring BYU’s inclusion standards and mental health resources up to par. BYU still has a long way to go, but this work is essential in helping prevent suicide. Thank you🌈 #worldsuicidepreventionday

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Podcast Du Jour

Nearly every day of the week, Outsports has a new podcast for your enjoyment. Today, it’s 3 Strikes You’re Out with our Ken Schultz. The Cubs are in first place and have been since the first week of the season. So, if you have any Cub fans in your life, you know what that means… PANIC!!!!! This week, Ken is joined for a 50 minute freakout by friend of the pod and fellow member of #GayCubsTwitter Ryan Thomure of Cubs Insider.

This and all Outsports podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and on every platform where you find Outsports!

Today’s Sports Calendar

WNBA:

Atlanta Dream vs. Connecticut Sun at 7 p.m. EDT (NOT NATIONALLY TELEVISED)

Chicago Sky vs. Dallas Wings at 8 p.m. EDT on CBSSN

Seattle Storm vs. Phoenix Mercury at 10 p.m. on CBSSN

NBA PLAYOFFS:

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers at 6:30 p.m. EDT on TNT

Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors at 9 p.m. EDT on TNT

NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS:

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Islanders at 8 p.m. EDT on USA

MLB NATIONALLY-TELEVISED GAMES:

Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals at 6:05 p.m. EDT on FS1

San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres at 9 p.m. EDT on ESPN+

TENNIS:

Click here for ESPN’s schedule for the U.S. Open and yesterday’s results.

SOCCER:

Click here for ESPN’s schedule of soccer action today.

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 Sunday morning on Outsports.com Stay safe!