Sports

Former NFL Lineman Joe Barksdale Releases New Single, “Alone”: “Being larger than average, Black in America, mentally ill, and Autistic means that I live in a world that was not built for me…”

Singer-songwriter and producer Joe Barksdale has released his brand new single “Alone”, and is pleased to announce the release of an all-new album titled Yours Truly this spring. Yours Truly features 16 tracks in his signature style, a unique blend of blues, soul, jazz, and rock, with Barksdale handling guitar, electronic drums, and lead vocals. When asked about his new single, …

The View from the Northwest Corner: NYCFC shootout victory fitting end to lacklustre MLS playoffs, by Claude Iosso

Voodoo Doughnut, Portland’s famous purveyor of zany confections, was offering a green and gold sprinkle doughnut in honor of the Timbers hosting the MLS Cup Saturday. I should talk about the final, in which the Timbers fell to New York City FC in a penalty shootout … but doughnuts just seem more interesting. Sour grapes …

1987 Men’s Division III Basketball Championship Memories With Pix, by Mark Erickson

Not too long ago I wrote about North Park College’s 1985, senior-laden men’s basketball team’s journey to the school’s FOURTH national championship.  Coach Bosko led that team in his first year after working as the top assistant coach for many years.  Preparing for the 1985-86 season, Bosko now faced fielding his first recruiting class as …

The View from the Northwest Corner: Playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs? by Claude Iosso

Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer / Portland Timbers Quoting former NFL coach Jim Mora from his famous postgame rant is kind of a cheap shot, but after the Portland Timbers fell 6-2 to archrival Seattle Sounders at home Sunday night, it’s apt. Despite an uneven season so far, the Timbers are still in line, somehow, for …

In Awesome New Video, Fantastic Negrito Loves On Oakland, Soccer and Great Food, by Claude Iosso

When Fantastic Negrito shills, he does it with integrity. The Oakland blues-soul man has released “Root City,” an anthem for Oakland Roots SC, a three-year-old professional soccer team, and there are no sly, subliminal nudges for your custom in his video.  He’s wearing a Puma tracksuit and sneakers in some shots, and he actually points out …

Why Colin Kaepernick Took a Knee, by Mark Erickson

Colin Kaepernick on police use of force against people of color "As police officers continue to terrorize black and brown communities, abusing their power and then hiding behind their blue wall of silence and the laws that allow them to kill us with virtual impunity…"Powerful words from Colin Kaepernick.#BlackLivesMatter #RightsNow Posted by Amnesty International USA …

Given the sensible break in the current action necessitated by our viral crisis, those so-inclined may wish to revisit The Pro Basketball Past, which was somehow more scintillating AND more human-scale, at the same time! by Tom Kipp

Having recently re-read two of my favorite books–FOUL! THE CONNIE HAWKINS STORY (David Wolf, 1972) and LOOSE BALLS: THE SHORT, WILD LIFE OF THE AMERICAN BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION (Terry Pluto, 1990)–I was especially struck today to encounter this photo of five of the ABA’s greatest stars (from the left: Connie Hawkins, Marvin Barnes, Julius “Dr. J” …