Dave Zirin

Sports Editor

Dave Zirin is the sports editor at The Nation. He is the author of 11 books on the politics of sports. He is the author of a new book, The People's Historian: The Outsized Life of Howard Zinn.

East Carolina University Band Kneeling

Why a Radio Station Censored the East Carolina University Band and Deepened a Backlash Why a Radio Station Censored the East Carolina University Band and Deepened a Backlash

A radio station refusing to air a football game because the band members took a knee during the anthem is not “a protest of a protest.” It’s erasure.

Oct 6, 2016 / Dave Zirin

John Carlos track

Talking Kaepernick Protests With 1968 Olympian John Carlos Talking Kaepernick Protests With 1968 Olympian John Carlos

The unveiling of a statue at the Smithsonian, a trip to the White House, and a new generation raising their fists on the field. It was quite a week for John Carlos.

Oct 4, 2016 / Dave Zirin

Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick Has a Right to Hate Both Candidates Colin Kaepernick Has a Right to Hate Both Candidates

He’s been upsetting conservatives for weeks—and now he is upsetting liberals, too.

Sep 29, 2016 / Dave Zirin

Ed Temple Statue

On the Passing of HBCU and Olympic Coaching Legend Ed Temple On the Passing of HBCU and Olympic Coaching Legend Ed Temple

He trained 40 black woman Olympians who won 23 Olympic medals, thirteen of them gold.

Sep 28, 2016 / Dave Zirin

Mike Ditka

The Unbearable Bigotry of Mike Ditka The Unbearable Bigotry of Mike Ditka

Mike Ditka is parroting Donald Trump’s racist dog whistle about Colin Kaepernick.

Sep 26, 2016 / Dave Zirin

Indiana Fever Kneel

The NBA Is Trying to Convince Players Not to Protest Police Brutality on the Court The NBA Is Trying to Convince Players Not to Protest Police Brutality on the Court

But WNBA players have shown why it's probably not going to work. 

Sep 23, 2016 / Dave Zirin

Kaepernick Reid Anthem Kneel

Colin Kaepernick on Terence Crutcher and ‘Racism Disguised as Patriotism’ Colin Kaepernick on Terence Crutcher and ‘Racism Disguised as Patriotism’

A new generation of athletes and sports fans are learning that courage is contagious.

Sep 21, 2016 / Dave Zirin

Megan Rapinoe Kneel

Bigots Beware: White Athletes Are Becoming Sympathetic to Anthem Protests Bigots Beware: White Athletes Are Becoming Sympathetic to Anthem Protests

We have, as of this writing, not seen white, male pro athletes join the “Kaepernick protests.” But you can sense that it is coming.

Sep 19, 2016 / Dave Zirin

Seattle Seahawks Linking Arms

The Seahawks Are Trying to Reroute Kaepernick’s Protest, and They’re Completely Missing the Point The Seahawks Are Trying to Reroute Kaepernick’s Protest, and They’re Completely Missing the Point

The Seahawks’ latest move ignores community organizations on the ground and treats police violence like it’s a communication problem.

Sep 15, 2016 / Dave Zirin

Feyisa Lilesa Crossed Arms

Sports, Protest, and Risking Your Life: Interview With 2016 Olympic Medalist and Protester Feyisa Lilesa Sports, Protest, and Risking Your Life: Interview With 2016 Olympic Medalist and Protester Feyisa Lilesa

Marathoner Feyisa Lilesa won a silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics for Ethiopia. Then he knowingly endangered his life by challenging Ethiopia to change.

Sep 14, 2016 / Dave Zirin

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