NPR Columns: Sweetness And Light http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4499275&ft=1&f=4499275 Frank Deford's weekly commentary on sports appears Wednesdays on NPR.org. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:26:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/thumbnail/npr_generic_image_75.jpg Sweetness And Light http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4499275&ft=1&f=4499275 yes Women's Sports, Title IX And The Cheerleader Option It may get harder for athletic programs to adhere to the Title IX mandate that athletic representation on campuses mirror student enrollment. Frank Deford notes that if colleges make cheerleading a sport, they might stave off budget cuts to male-dominated sports programs — but at what cost to other female athletes? Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:26:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120766782&ft=1&f=4499275 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120766782&ft=1&f=4499275 It may get harder for athletic programs to adhere to the Title IX mandate that athletic representation on campuses mirror student enrollment. Frank Deford notes that if colleges make cheerleading a sport, they might stave off budget cuts to male-dominated sports programs — but at what cost to other female athletes? 231 no It may get harder for athletic programs to adhere to the Title IX mandate that athletic representation on campuses mirror student enrollment. Frank Deford notes that if colleges make cheerleading a sport, they might stave off budget cuts to male-dominated sports programs — but at what cost to other female athletes?

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]]> When Football's Deadly Brutality Outraged America In just one season 100 years ago, 26 players died from injuries sustained in football games. The deaths sparked a national outcry and forced the new collegiate athletic association to take action to make the sport safer. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:44:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120502601&ft=1&f=4499275 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120502601&ft=1&f=4499275 In just one season 100 years ago, 26 players died from injuries sustained in football games. The deaths sparked a national outcry and forced the new collegiate athletic association to take action to make the sport safer. 239 no In just one season 100 years ago, 26 players died from injuries sustained in football games. The deaths sparked a national outcry and forced the new collegiate athletic association to take action to make the sport safer.

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]]> Favre Gets A Bye Week — But Will He Ever Say 'Bye? The Minnesota Vikings had a bye week this weekend — and that's a problem for both sports fans and wordsmiths. But a week off is not really a bye — nor is it a reason not to discuss the NFL's age-defying quarterback, Brett Favre. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:50:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120276284&ft=1&f=4499275 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120276284&ft=1&f=4499275 The Minnesota Vikings had a bye week this weekend — and that's a problem for both sports fans and wordsmiths. But a week off is not really a bye — nor is it a reason not to discuss the NFL's age-defying quarterback, Brett Favre. 217 no The Minnesota Vikings had a bye week this weekend — and that's a problem for both sports fans and wordsmiths. But a week off is not really a bye — nor is it a reason not to discuss the NFL's age-defying quarterback, Brett Favre.

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]]> A-Rod's New Success: Enough To Put Demons To Rest? When the New York Yankees won the American League title, Alex Rodriguez was embraced by his teammates. The moment marks a turnaround for A-Rod, who has struggled in past post-seasons — and hasn't always had the affection of teammates and fans. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:56:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114205408&ft=1&f=4499275 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114205408&ft=1&f=4499275 When the New York Yankees won the American League title, Alex Rodriguez was embraced by his teammates. The moment marks a turnaround for A-Rod, who has struggled in past post-seasons — and hasn't always had the affection of teammates and fans. 235 no When the New York Yankees won the American League title, Alex Rodriguez was embraced by his teammates. The moment marks a turnaround for A-Rod, who has struggled in past post-seasons — and hasn't always had the affection of teammates and fans.

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]]> Tailgating: When A Picnic Turns Into An Event For some football fans, firing up the grill and sharing a beer are as essential to pregame ritual as the coin toss and "The Star-Spangled Banner." Even late in the season, football fans will tailgate, gathering on the cold, hard tarmac to dine alfresco Americano — even when the weather is cold and very un-picnic-y. Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:03:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113964920&ft=1&f=4499275 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113964920&ft=1&f=4499275 For some football fans, firing up the grill and sharing a beer are as essential to pregame ritual as the coin toss and "The Star-Spangled Banner." Even late in the season, football fans will tailgate, gathering on the cold, hard tarmac to dine alfresco Americano — even when the weather is cold and very un-picnic-y. 207 no For some football fans, firing up the grill and sharing a beer are as essential to pregame ritual as the coin toss and "The Star-Spangled Banner." Even late in the season, football fans will tailgate, gathering on the cold, hard tarmac to dine alfresco Americano — even when the weather is cold and very un-picnic-y.

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]]> Deford: Boise State Needs NCAA's Help To Buck BCS Boise State has one of the upwardly mobile teams in college football — but there may be a limit to how far the team can go. Commentator Frank Deford says the powers that be in college football keep teams like Boise State from having a shot at the big time. Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:19:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113765726&ft=1&f=4499275 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113765726&ft=1&f=4499275 Boise State has one of the upwardly mobile teams in college football — but there may be a limit to how far the team can go. Commentator Frank Deford says the powers that be in college football keep teams like Boise State from having a shot at the big time. 222 no Boise State has one of the upwardly mobile teams in college football — but there may be a limit to how far the team can go. Commentator Frank Deford says the powers that be in college football keep teams like Boise State from having a shot at the big time.

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]]> Chicago, Chrissie And Khloe: Of Love And The Game Love blossoms for some athletes, while it wilts for others — including Chicago and the brutal rejection of its proposal to host the 2016 Olympics. Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113540651&ft=1&f=4499275 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113540651&ft=1&f=4499275 Love blossoms for some athletes, while it wilts for others — including Chicago and the brutal rejection of its proposal to host the 2016 Olympics. 0 no Love blossoms for some athletes, while it wilts for others — including Chicago and the brutal rejection of its proposal to host the 2016 Olympics.

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]]> Baseball Announcers: More Than Just A Voice They may not wear a uniform, but baseball announcers like Ernie Harwell become as much a part of the team as the players for some fans, says commentator Frank Deford. Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:13:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113309157&ft=1&f=4499275 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113309157&ft=1&f=4499275 They may not wear a uniform, but baseball announcers like Ernie Harwell become as much a part of the team as the players for some fans, says commentator Frank Deford. 221 no They may not wear a uniform, but baseball announcers like Ernie Harwell become as much a part of the team as the players for some fans, says commentator Frank Deford.

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]]> Hockey: Why Can't The NHL Just Keep It Canadian? Back in the mid-1960s, the National Hockey League was bullish about its prospects in the United States. Today, the expanded league is struggling to pick up Sun Belt fans in far-flung markets in the South and Southwest. Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:15:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113077058&ft=1&f=4499275 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113077058&ft=1&f=4499275 Back in the mid-1960s, the National Hockey League was bullish about its prospects in the United States. Today, the expanded league is struggling to pick up Sun Belt fans in far-flung markets in the South and Southwest. 185 no Back in the mid-1960s, the National Hockey League was bullish about its prospects in the United States. Today, the expanded league is struggling to pick up Sun Belt fans in far-flung markets in the South and Southwest.

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]]> TV Flap: Will The NFL Live Up To Its Socialist Ideals? The NFL has a long-standing agreement that franchises share equally in television revenues. To commentator Frank Deford, that's socialism — and, he says, the league's TV policies are out of step with the times. At issue: blackouts meant to punish fans who are happy to watch the local team's games from home. Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112859869&ft=1&f=4499275 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112859869&ft=1&f=4499275 The NFL has a long-standing agreement that franchises share equally in television revenues. To commentator Frank Deford, that's socialism — and, he says, the league's TV policies are out of step with the times. At issue: blackouts meant to punish fans who are happy to watch the local team's games from home. 186 no The NFL has a long-standing agreement that franchises share equally in television revenues. To commentator Frank Deford, that's socialism — and, he says, the league's TV policies are out of step with the times. At issue: blackouts meant to punish fans who are happy to watch the local team's games from home.

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]]> Remembering Tennis Ace Jack Kramer Jack Kramer, who died Saturday, was a player, a champion, an innovator, a promoter, an executive, a labor leader. And, commentator Frank Deford says, the single most significant figure in the history of tennis. Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:20:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112822762&ft=1&f=4499275 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112822762&ft=1&f=4499275 Jack Kramer, who died Saturday, was a player, a champion, an innovator, a promoter, an executive, a labor leader. And, commentator Frank Deford says, the single most significant figure in the history of tennis. no Jack Kramer, who died Saturday, was a player, a champion, an innovator, a promoter, an executive, a labor leader. And, commentator Frank Deford says, the single most significant figure in the history of tennis.

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]]> Can You Believe These Rankings? Sports has always loved rankings, says commentator Frank Deford. But what do the rankings really mean? The latest brouhaha is in women's tennis, where Serena Williams, who's won three of the last four Grand Slams, is ranked No. 2 after a player who's won none. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112655081&ft=1&f=4499275 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112655081&ft=1&f=4499275 Sports has always loved rankings, says commentator Frank Deford. But what do the rankings really mean? The latest brouhaha is in women's tennis, where Serena Williams, who's won three of the last four Grand Slams, is ranked No. 2 after a player who's won none. 179 no Sports has always loved rankings, says commentator Frank Deford. But what do the rankings really mean? The latest brouhaha is in women's tennis, where Serena Williams, who's won three of the last four Grand Slams, is ranked No. 2 after a player who's won none.

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]]> A Fading Champ, But A Champ Still: Muhammad Ali Former boxing phenomenon Muhammad Ali is hobbled by age and illness, but he continues to make public appearances. While some people find these appearances sad and unsettling, Frank Deford says many more have come to embrace him. Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:27:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112442325&ft=1&f=4499275 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112442325&ft=1&f=4499275 Former boxing phenomenon Muhammad Ali is hobbled by age and illness, but he continues to make public appearances. While some people find these appearances sad and unsettling, Frank Deford says many more have come to embrace him. 221 no Former boxing phenomenon Muhammad Ali is hobbled by age and illness, but he continues to make public appearances. While some people find these appearances sad and unsettling, Frank Deford says many more have come to embrace him.

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]]> NFL: Dodging The Concussion Discussion? Nobody's sure how dangerous the contact in football is to the brain. But high school players will experience more than 40,000 concussions this season and many former players suffer from dementia or depression. So why is pro football taking a Big Tobacco approach to research? Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:38:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112219425&ft=1&f=4499275 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112219425&ft=1&f=4499275 Nobody's sure how dangerous the contact in football is to the brain. But high school players will experience more than 40,000 concussions this season and many former players suffer from dementia or depression. So why is pro football taking a Big Tobacco approach to research? 234 no Nobody's sure how dangerous the contact in football is to the brain. But high school players will experience more than 40,000 concussions this season and many former players suffer from dementia or depression. So why is pro football taking a Big Tobacco approach to research?

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]]> In Sports And Life, Once-Lazy August Is Filling Up August used to be downtime for all of us, including most athletes. But now, students go back to school before Labor Day, and schools play football during August. If the NFL also expands into August, we might as well call it September, says commentator Frank Deford. Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111967253&ft=1&f=4499275 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111967253&ft=1&f=4499275 August used to be downtime for all of us, including most athletes. But now, students go back to school before Labor Day, and schools play football during August. If the NFL also expands into August, we might as well call it September, says commentator Frank Deford. 192 no August used to be downtime for all of us, including most athletes. But now, students go back to school before Labor Day, and schools play football during August. If the NFL also expands into August, we might as well call it September, says commentator Frank Deford.

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