Hello and welcome to On Deck Circle for today, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. And if you’re into numbers, you should notice that today is a numerical sequence you’ll see repeated 10 more times this year whenever you write the date with the full year in Arabic numbers: 19/2021.

Your need to read time today is 90-seconds.

Today’s LGBTQ Sports History Highlight:

Had he lived, Justin Fashanu would be celebrating his 60th birthday today. Last year at this time, Britain’s first out male gay soccer player was posthumously inducted into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame. He’s also today’s LGBTQ sports Black History Month hero. Read the story here.

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Today’s Outsports Headlines:

Photo provided

How this gay coach found his home in the world of women’s college basketball

Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Join out soccer player Collin Martin in a conversation with gay college soccer captain

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Other LGBTQ Sports stories making news...

“These kids... they’re just trying to stay alive.”

Utah’s Gov. Spencer Cox says he won’t sign transgender sports bill as now written

Photo by Chad Hurst/Getty Images for Sundance Film Festival

From the “No Shit, We’ve Been Telling You This For MONTHS!” File:

State anti-transgender bills represent coordinated attack, advocates say

Twitter

Co-president of the Gay Games: ‘Whoever you want to be in sports, there is a place for you’

Figure skating is on thin ice. Here’s how to fix it

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Today’s SB Nation’s top story...

Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

The Carson Wentz trade is a win-win for Colts and Eagles

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Top LGBTQ News...

DeepMind researchers say AI poses a threat to people who identify as queer

Lesbian Roxane Gay Partners With MasterClass for Social Change-Themed Course

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Today’s OutShout:

Sports Equality Foundation

The San Diego Loyals’ Collin Martin will be on TikTok tonight talking with out gay college soccer captain Couper Gunn of the Sports Equality Foundation, LIVE at 7 p.m. EST.

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.

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Social Media Spotlight:

Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger’s newborn baby daughter Sloane wins the internet! #SheBelieves

Good call by Business Insider sports reporter Meredith Cash noting FS1’s glaring error in deadnaming non-binary athlete of 2020, Quinn:

And ICYMI: Hello, Dolly! Such an icon.

If you want your social media post to be included here, or to share one showcasing LGBTQ sports, email us the link at outsports@gmail.com or tag @Outsports on Instagram or Twitter!

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Today’s Outsports Podcast:

Nearly every day of the week, Outsports has a new podcast for your enjoyment. Today, Ken Schultz — who helped in the naming of this new feature, “On Deck Circle” — is back with 3 Strikes You’re Out. This week, his special guest is out former MLB umpire Dale Scott. Listen to part one by clicking here:

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

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Today’s Sports Calendar:

MLB Spring Training:

Pitchers and catchers workouts are underway! Full-squad workouts start next week beginning Mon., Feb. 22. Click here for MLB’s guide to your favorite teams’ schedules.

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NHL:

Click here for ESPN’s schedule of men’s pro hockey action today.

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NBA:

Click here for ESPN’s schedule of men’s pro basketball action today.

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NCAAM:

Click here for ESPN’s schedule of men’s college basketball action today.

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NCAAW:

Click here for ESPN’s schedule of women’s college basketball action today.

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SOCCER:

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

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Share your thoughts in the comments below or email us at outsport@gmail.com

We’ll be back Monday! A new On Deck Circle posts every weekday morning on Outsports.com