Football

An ESPN microphone before the NFL game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals on September 25, 2023, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The NFL May Buy a Stake in ESPN. Is This the Death of the Network’s Journalism? The NFL May Buy a Stake in ESPN. Is This the Death of the Network’s Journalism?

ESPN’s dogged but underappreciated reporters keep getting laid off—and now a main target of their investigations may become the new boss.

Jan 17, 2024 / Dave Zirin

deion sanders hugs son college football game colorado

Deion Sanders and the Joys of Hype Deion Sanders and the Joys of Hype

While other college football coaches pine for the past, Deion Sanders has taken advantage of new rules and made the present fun.

Sep 18, 2023 / Dave Zirin

photo of northwestern's ryan field football stadium

Will Northwestern Get Its Stadium, or Will Evanston Get a Fair Deal? Will Northwestern Get Its Stadium, or Will Evanston Get a Fair Deal?

The roar of community disapproval cannot be silenced for much longer.

Aug 25, 2023 / Dave Zirin

Michael Oher and the Tuohys, who are portrayed in the film The Blind Side, stand on the field before an Ole Miss game.

“The Blind Side” Was Always Trash “The Blind Side” Was Always Trash

The book and movie about former NFL lineman Michael Oher lean into the white-savior trope. They were terrible long before the allegations that they were based on lies.

Aug 15, 2023 / Dave Zirin

Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants runs down the field holding football

Time to Stop Running Time to Stop Running

NFL running backs are in the same fight as all laborers: the struggle to be treated as humans, not “cattle.”

Jul 26, 2023 / Dave Zirin

Jim Brown sits on the sideline, his helmet off.

Jim Brown’s War Within Himself Jim Brown’s War Within Himself

The passing of the football great is an opportunity to speak about his tangled legacy.

May 22, 2023 / Dave Zirin

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackso

Lamar Jackson Made the Billionaires Blink Lamar Jackson Made the Billionaires Blink

After a two-year odyssey, the MVP quarterback scores a contract that was even more about power than about money.

May 2, 2023 / Dave Zirin

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson’s Sin: Not Playing Their Game Lamar Jackson’s Sin: Not Playing Their Game

The incredibly talented quarterback can’t find a new team. It reveals the ugly way NFL owners do business.

Mar 31, 2023 / Dave Zirin

members of the Connecticut Sun team kneel during the playing of the national anthe

The New Era of Backlash in Sports and Politics The New Era of Backlash in Sports and Politics

Trump opened up the world of sports to the hard right.

Mar 1, 2023 / Dave Zirin

Why People Don’t Even Trust the Super Bowl

Why People Don’t Even Trust the Super Bowl Why People Don’t Even Trust the Super Bowl

It’s unsurprising that a game wrapped in lies produces a result that many cannot accept.

Feb 13, 2023 / Dave Zirin

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