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Sweetness And Light
Reminders Flood In: Athletes Are People, Not Heroes
February 20, 2013 We often put athletes on a pedestal. But after the latest accusations of bad behavior — accusations that include a murder charge against Oscar Pistorius — it may be time to lower that pedestal several notches, says Frank Deford.
Simon Says
Is Honest Abe's Stovepipe Hat A Fake?
February 16, 2013 State officials in Illinois want to conduct DNA tests on the top hat on display at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to see if he ever really wore it. Museum officials think the idea is worse than bad.
Sweetness And Light
An Oft-Told Tale: The Beauty Queen And The Quarterback
February 13, 2013 Last month, Brent Musburger was accused of being sexist when he gushed about "what a beautiful woman" Miss Alabama was during the BCS Championship game. Commentator Frank Deford says if Musburger was guilty of anything, it was failing to note what a cliche he was perpetuating.
Simon Says
Vive La Scandale! French Lawmakers Caught In The Act (Of Playing Scrabble)
February 9, 2013 This week, the French National Assembly has been debating a bill on same-sex marriage and gay adoption. But a small scandal erupted after several lawmakers, who support gay marriage, were spotted playing Scrabble on their iPads during the parliamentary debate.
Sweetness And Light
It's The Dog Days For America's Sports Dynasties
February 6, 2013 We used to have three bona fide dynasties: the Yankees in baseball, the Celtics and Lakers in basketball, and the Cowboys in football. We even had dynasties in college sports. But no more. Commentator Frank Deford says our dynasties are melting as fast as the Arctic ice cap.
Simon Says
History Sometimes Rewards Those Who Are Sidelined
February 2, 2013 San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith will be on the sidelines of the Super Bowl this weekend, after suffering a concussion midway through the season. Now he's counseling teammate Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback who replaced him. "The good ones stay ready," he says.
Sweetness And Light
History Joins The 49ers In Opposing Ray Lewis
January 30, 2013 It's rare in sport for someone to declare that this will be the finale and then go out a winner, says commentator Frank Deford. But, on Sunday, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis hopes to do just that.
Simon Says
'Ebony' Editor Began Life Black In Nazi Germany
January 26, 2013 Long before becoming managing editor of Ebony magazine, Hans Massaquoi yearned to be a Hitler Youth. His rare story came to an end when Massaquoi died this week at the age of 87.
Sweetness And Light
Sports Calendar's Black Hole Gives Us Time To Reflect On Sportswriters
January 23, 2013 Aside from basketball, it's a pretty quiet sports week, which means, it's a pretty quiet week for sportswriters. Commentator Frank Deford says it's a perfect opportunity to recognize their work, and cut them some slack.
Simon Says
A Thought That's Worth More Than A Penny (Or A Nickel)
January 19, 2013 With candy bars or a pack of gum costing a dollar or more these days, perhaps it's time to get rid of pennies and nickels altogether. The problem, NPR's Scott Simon says, is picking which historic profiles should get the boot.
Sweetness And Light
Love Of Football May Kick America Down The Path Of Ruination
January 16, 2013 Enthusiasm for sport can be a convenient cover to excuse the worst in us, says Frank Deford, because concussions for young men are the price of our love for football.
Simon Says
Cheating Might Buy Home Runs, But No Hall Of Fame
January 12, 2013 NPR's Scott Simon muses on momentous news this week — the Baseball Writers Association elected no one to the Hall of Fame. The shutout might be a classic reminder that cheating sometimes brings quick riches, but it can't buy respect.
Sweetness And Light
Steroid Accusations Likely To Bench Baseball Hall Of Fame Candidates
January 9, 2013 Frank Deford bats around the impact of allegations of drug use by some players and laments that debating who should be in the Hall of Fame isn't as fun as it was in the past.
Sweetness And Light
New Jersey Tries To Horn In On Nevada's Gambling Turf
January 2, 2013 Sports betting happens every day. But betting on the outcome of a professional game is legal only in Nevada because of a 1992 federal law. Morning Edition's commentator says that's not just unconstitutional — it also defies the reality of illegal betting on sports.
Commentary
The Mayan Apocalypse: Worthwhile, In Hindsight
December 22, 2012 Yesterday came and went, but I never finished Ulysses. I never took up skydiving. Come to think of it, I didn't even really finish cleaning up my closet before the "Mayan Apocalypse." Yet even a failed apocalypse still has value, in reminding us that life is fleeting, fragile and unpredictable.
