Ashleigh Johnson is called the best water polo goalkeeper in the world and a first for a lady of color. A headline in USA Today sports describes Johnson this way: “Johnson’s net goal: Total domination.” At an event in Holland, a young black girl and her mother showed up at every U.S. practice and the little black girl told her: “I’m glad you are playing here.” Johnson is ready to compete to honor her mother for all the sacrifices she has made.
Ibtihaj Muhammad was a winner and loser and Olympics history maker as the first American to wear a hijab in the Olympics. Ibtihaj beat Ukraine’s Olena Karnataka and later loss her second outing. Despite the loss Ibtihaj served a greater part for the U.S. in the Olympics.
Jesse Owens, winner of four gold medals in the 1936 Olympics, wasn’t the only man of color competing that Hitler despised. There were a total of 18. And the group won total of 8 gold, four silver and two bronze. Ralph Metcalfe who became a U.S. Congressman and Jackie Robinson’s brother Mack Robinson won a silver medal in the 200 meters. The names of the 1936 black American Olympians are Dave Albritton, Jesse Owens, Cornelius Johnson, Mack Robinson, John Woodruff, and Ralph Metcalfe.(AP Photo/file)
President Barack Obama was asked if he could have been an Olympic athlete, what sport would he have chosen? The President replied: A sprinter as the world’s fastest human. That would have been a fitting title for the President who loves and plays basketball.
Coach Hue Jackson and QB Robert Griffin III (RG3) could cause as much excitement in Cleveland as LeBron James and his NBA champions have this year. And the beat continues! (AP Photo/Mark Tenally) ORG XMIT: FDX112
Will Yasiel Puig ever suit up again as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers again? The Dodgers made several swaps with a couple of teams. Instead of making this one, Yasiel Puig wasn’t one of the swaps. The Dodgers sent Puig to the Oklahoma City minors. It’s apparently good-bye for Puig forever.
Reggie Bush signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills as training camps opened. Bush played five games with the San Francisco ‘49ers last year until injuries sent him to the sidelines. Bush is a ten-year NFL pro. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski) ORG XMIT: dff
Unfortunately President Barack Obama will not be around for Denver Broncos’ Demaryius Thomas to vote for him twice in the 2016 election. Why? Thomas sent President Obama a hand written note thanking him for commuting his mother’s drug sentence last year and on the Broncos celebrity visit to the White House to do the same for his grandmother who was serving a life term for drug charges. The President did the same for Thomas’ grandmother. It wouldn’t be safe for Donald Trump or any other bigots to make their derogatory remarks in Obama’s presence. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
Veteran ESPN sportscaster John Saunders who died in recent days was a black Canadian. He also played pro hockey and at Eastern Michigan.
Ex-UCLA star Baron Davis was asked recently if he would like to return to the NBA Development League. His response: “Nah, I’m trying to get back to the NBA. The real thing.
The Rio Olympics will be remembered as “The Final Five” (Ladies gold medal winning gymnastic team” and the men’s gold medal victorious swim team). The Final Five is made up with the sensational Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez and Aly Raisman.
Now hear this! L.A. Times columnist Bill Plaschke tries to make Gabby Douglas unpatriotic because she didn’t have her hand over heart as the national anthem was being played like her other four teammates during the victory ceremony. Plaschke didn’t accept her explanation she was full of emotion and she was overcome. Mr. Plaschke is now practicing psychology. Mr. Plaschke, check out Gabby’s hugging action throughout all of the celebrations. You don’t know everything.
USA women Rio basketball players are telling the world the NBA should welcome more gay men into their league. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
